Rosemary
The leaves or flowers are eaten and it also produces very good honey. Rosemary goes very well with lamb, mutton and veal and gives a pleasant flavour to tomato sauce... It is a classic herb in Mediterranean cooking, combined with garlic, olive oil and thyme. . It is one of the "herbs of Provence" with thyme, l'oregano, la savoury et la marjoram.
History
Like many in the Labiatae family, rosemary is native to the Mediterranean where it has been grown since Ancient Times, more for its smell than its medicinal virtues (Charlemagne imposed its farming in 812). It appears in many fantastical tales and legends:
- The Romans used it to make crowns with myrtle and laurels.
- In Spain: rosemary flowers took the colour blue to honour the Virgin Mary who had just escaped from the soldiers.
- In Christian tradition, it is said that rosemary lives 33 years, like Christ.
- It is the symbol of love: in Provence, lovers place a sprig of flowering rosemary on the window sill of their loved ones.
It can now be found in all temperate regions in the world.
Beliefs
- It protects against evil spirits.
- In Ancient Greece: Rosemary crowns had a reputation for improving memory and intellectual faculties.
- It was burned in patients' rooms to purify the air.
- During major epidemics, a small bag of rosemary was worn around the neck for protection.
- It was supposed to improve memory: Greek students would make crowns from it which they would wear during examinations.
- in the sixteenth century, the essential oil was used against jaundice
Virtues
- Antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious
- Stimulant, stomatic, carminative
- Cholagogue, choleric
- Emmenagogue
- Anti-tussive
- Anti-rheumatism, anti-neuralgia
- Against circulatory problems (as a rub)
- Healing (flowers)
BE CAREFUL : at high doses, there is a risk of epilepsy
Tips and tricks
For tasty kebabs, use the branches of rosemary with leaves removed as a skewer.
Composition
- 1 to 2% essential oil
- 30% 1,8-Cineol,
- 16 to 20% Borneols
- < 7% Bornyl acetate
- < 25% a-pinene
- 15 to 25% Camphor
- Camphrene, Resin, saponin, Verbenone, Flavanoids, Tanins,
- Ac. Romaniric, Romarincin, Cholin, Saponin
BE CAREFUL the essential oil can disturb the nervous system. Do not use in excess!
The plant
Rosmarinus officinalis
Lamiaceae family (like mint, le basil, le thyme .)
Hardy, very aromatic shrub, growing on sunny chalky hills
Height: 50 cm to 1 m
Long, straight stems (most varieties)
Abundant, opposing, small, needle shaped and tough green leaves on top, white underneath.
Two petal flowers with two stamens, white, pink or blue, arranged in bunches at the ends of branches.
Division by sowing, cutting or layering
Many varieties and cultivars
Articles extraits de Toil'd'épices |
Garlic
Cinnamon
Lemon grass
Coriander
Orange blossom
Ginger
Bayleaf
Oregano
Parsley
Chilli
Rosemary
Thyme
Vanilla
