What is rosemary herb? It is said that Rosemary got its name from the Virgin Mary.
Scientific name: Rosmarinus Officinalis
Other names: Wild Rosemary, Marsh Rosemary, Moorwort, Garden Rosemary
Rosemary belongs to the Labiatae or mint family. Its native habitat is the area around the Mediterranean Sea and Portugal. It is now cultivated in many countries. Rosemary can grow to be as tall as man to about 6 feet and grows out to look like bushes. The leaves are long and skinny like pine needles. Rosemary flowers which are violet in color, bloom briefly in spring on young shoots.
Commercially cultivated and dried rosemary leaves come from Spain, France, Morocco, and Tunisia. The leaves have essential oils which contain tannin and resin. The origin of this herb's name is woven into folklore. It is said that the Virgin Mary had draped her cloak over this bush and placed a white flower on top of her cloak. In the morning the flower turned blue and thereafter the plant was called Rose of Mary.
Rosemary was introduced to the Alps in the middle ages and became part of many folk customs. People burned rosemary and inhaled the smoke to ward off sickness. Broken sprigs of rosemary were used for baptisms, funerals and marriages.
The leaves have been described as having a camphor like taste and smell. It is used in meat and game dishes; a favorite with roast lamb. It is also used in sausages, soups, sauces, stews, soups and salads. Rosemary is used to flavor wines, vinegar, oil and butter. Sprigs of rosemary are tossed into barbecue grills to impart flavor to meat.
Medicinal uses: Use rosemary to stimulate circulation and the nerves. Place a few drops of oil into the bath made up of water that is 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) warm. These baths should be taken in the mornings only and should last for ten minutes.
