Medicinal Uses for Rosemary
The information that follows is excerpted from a longer post: The Ultimate Guide to Rosemary. For additional information about Rosemary such as its cultivation, culinary uses, or its uses through history, please click HERE to access the complete original post. Other individual sections are listed below:
Do not try any of these uses for rosemary without consulting a doctor or health care provider. Nothing in this blog is designed to replace traditional medical care.
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| Rosemary Oil |
The rosemary plant produces several volatile oils in its leaves that are responsible for all the superstitions and medicinal claims that have been made about the plant over the last 2,000+ years. It has not been until just recently, though, that many of the stories about the power of rosemary have actually been tested medically.
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| Rosemary with Mortar and Pestle |
One of the properties of the oils in rosemary is that it gets blood flowing under the skin. A bath of rosemary can stimulate a worn and sluggish body because of this property. It has been reputed to improve circulation and warm cold arms and legs, as well as the appearance of hair and skin. You can make a steam facial with the herb to perk up your face and to get rid of dark under eye circles and bags. This herb has all-around energetic qualities of clarification, purification and rejuvenation.
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| Rosemary Cosmetics |
Quick Recipe:
If you are a brunette, rosemary will brighten your hair: Infuse 1 ounce of both rosemary and sage in a pint of water for 24 hours. Or, steep a sprig of rosemary in 1 cup of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. Either way, work the rinse into your hair after shampooing.
Rosemary has been used as a treatment for depression, headaches, and muscle spasms. When applied externally, it benefits sufferers of rheumatism, sores, eczema, bruises and wounds. Rosemary has been reported to have antibacterial properties and during the Middle Ages, it was burned in homes to ward off the spread of the Plague. It was somewhat effective in doing this, as well as lessening the strength and duration of the disease if someone came down with it.
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| Rosemary Tea |
Traditionally, rosemary has been used to relieve pain, increase perspiration, stimulate the liver and gall bladder, relieve gout, improve digestion, and to control many pathogenic organisms. It may even treat toxic shock syndrome, although more research is necessary to substantiate this claim.
According to Medical News Today, many of the medicinal claims about rosemary have recently been taken to task by the medical and scientific communities. So far, a lot of them have been proven to contain much truth. Rosemary is a good source of iron, calcium, and vitamin B6, as well as a valuable antioxidant that can improve brain performance and prevent brain aging. It produces carnosic acid that prevents free radical damage to the mind and body. This substance is one of the volatile oils the rosemary plant produces. Carnosic acid can reduce macular degeneration and significantly promotes eye health.
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| Rosemary with Candle and Medicinal Stones |
Rosemary oil has also been proven effective as an anti-tumor agent and has anti-proliferative properties against human leukemia and in breast cancer patients. This means that the oil can keep these particular, and most likely other types of cancer, from spreading throughout the body. It has been shown to actively reduce cancer-causing agents that can develop during cooking and may also help to manage Type II Diabetes as effectively as many current medications.
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| Rosemary and Other Herbal Creations (You can make a wreath similar to the one in this photo by clicking on the link right here: Rosemary Wreath) |
Below are several potpourri and do-it-yourself cosmetics recipes using rosemary. There is also a great wreath project, like the one shown in the photo above. This wreath can be medicine for your soul and your home! Click on a link to access the recipe (or instructions)!
Potpourri:
Cosmetics:
Project:
Rosemary has many medical indications and many potential applications for the future as well. I hope this gives you a good overview of its possibilities. Please leave any questions or comments below!
Peace and Love Always,
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| Rosemary and Bath Creations |
Bremness, Leslie. RD Home Handbook: Herbs. Pleasantville: Reader's Digest Association, 1990. Print.
Brown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1995. Print.
Clevely, Andi, and Katherine Richmond. The Complete Book of Herbs. New York: Smithmark, 1994. Print.
Cunnningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1992. Print.
Ehrlich, Steven D. "Rosemary." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 6 July 2014. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
Gips, Kathleen. Flora's Dictionary: The Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers . Chagrin Falls: TM Publications, 1995. Print.
Grieve, M. "Rosemary." Botanical.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
Kowalchik, Claire, and William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs . Emmaus: Rodale, 1987. Print.
Kruger, Anna. An Illustrated Guide to Herbs. Stamford: Longmeadow, 1993. Print.
Nordqvist, Joseph. "Rosemary: Health Benefits, Precautions, Drug Interactions." Http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/. Medical News Today, 15 Sept. 2015. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
"Rosemary." Web MD. Ed. Therapeutic Research Faculty. Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2009. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
Shaudys, Phyllis. The Pleasure of Herbs. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1986. Print.
Shaudys, Phyllis V. Herbal Treasures. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1990. Print.
Photo Credits:
Medicinal Uses for Rosemary Header Image: Photo Credit: close up of essence of rosemary on wooden table by matteogirelli
Herbal Cosmetics and Preparations: Photo Credit: organic cosmetics with extracts of herbs rosemary on white background by 279photo
Rosemary Oil: http://healthybeautiful.com/rosemary-oil-uses-health-benefits-hair-growth-skin-acne-safety-where-to-buy-rosemary-oil/
Rosemary with Mortar and Pestle: Photo Credit: fresh green rosemary in mortar isolated on white by Africa Studio
Rosemary Cosmetics with Towels: Photo Credit: branches of rosemary and sea salt, towels, candle and bottle by Africa Studio
Rosemary with Candle and Medicinal Stones: Photo Credit: Rosemary essential oil by joanna wnuk
Rosemary and Other Herbal Creations:
Photo credit: naiaraback1 via VisualHunt.com / CC BY
Rosemary and Bath Creations: Photo Credit: Sales de bano y gel con esencia de romero by Angel Simon
Medicinal Uses for Rosemary Header Image: Photo Credit: close up of essence of rosemary on wooden table by matteogirelli
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