Rosemary is named from the Latin, meaning Dew of the Sea. This is particularly appropriate because the fragrant leaves of the rosemary plant seems to contain the changing moods of the ocean. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia reminds us that "rosemary is for remembrance." This is very true in Australia, where it is worn in Remembrance Day for those who gave their lives in WWI.
Rosemary is associated with the Mary the Mother of Christ in legend. It is said she laid her cloak across a rosemary bush to dry, and that this is the origin of the plant's beautiful blue flowers. Rosemary is thus regarded as a plant that only flourishes where a woman rules the house.
But rosemary is more than a lovely plant with literary and historical associations. It is a well proven medicinal and culinary herb, with uses that date back to ancient times.
For most gardeners, rosemary is easy to cultivate. There are two types, the creeping rosemary and the erect bush rosemary, and both are forgiving varieties that do well in poor conditions. Once rosemary is established, it gives a regular supply of the aromatic leaves. You can buy a rosemary plant at the nursery to put in a pot, or the garden, or you can strike a cutting from an established plant. Make sure your cutting has a woody heel, taken from one of the main branches, and propagate it in damp, rich potting soil.
You can use rosemary straight from the bush, or dry the leaves to use anytime. Cut several sprigs of rosemary and tie them together below the leaves with a piece of string. Leave a loop so you can hang the rosemary in a cool dry place.When the leaves are dry, rub or shake them off into a muslin bag for storage.
Rosemary is rich with aromatic oils, an can be bought in essential oil form for a variety of uses. The oil contains borneol, camphor, eucalyptol and pinene, giving it that characteristic fragrance. The essential oil is mixed with carrier oil or alcohol to make a rub for the treatment of muscular aches and pains.This can also be added to the bath to ease fatigue and take care of small wounds. Rosemary oil is extremely concentrated, and should never be taken internally, as it is toxic when ingested. Rosemary leaves are quite safe to eat, however, and can be used as a culinary herb.
The traditional culinary use for rosemary is with sweet tasting meats like lamb. If you have never used rosemary before, try this simple method of flavoring a lamb roast - cut holes in the skin and flesh of a lamb roast, using the tip of a sharp thin knife, and insert slivers of garlic and a couple of rosemary leaves into the holes. Brush olive oil over the lamb and roast as usual. This simple method will give you a richly succulent roast that melts in your mouth.
Try brushing the surface of home made bread or focaccia with olive oil before you put the bread in the oven, and sprinkle with salt and rosemary. This is a delicious topping that will give your bread a true Mediterranean flavor.
To make the staple herbal mixture called Bouquet Garni, which is essential for soups and stews, you need rosemary, parsley, thyme and bay leaves. You can tie a few sprigs together or mix the dried herbs and put them in a small muslin bag.
Rosemary can be added to a variety of dishes - try steaming carrots cut in long strips with sprigs of rosemary laid over the top, or scatter rosemary leaves in potato salad. Rosemary sprigs can be placed whole with sprigs of tarragon and parsley inside the cavity of a chicken before roasting. Using rosemary regularly in your cooking is simple and delicious way to provide your family with the benefits of this healing plant.
Infusions of rosemary are also quite simple to make. Push sprigs of fresh rosemary into a bottle of olive oil, or vinegar. Leave the bottles in a warm place and you can use them in your cooking, or blend equal quantities to use as salad dressing.
Rosemary tea is another way to enjoy the benefits of rosemary. Just add one teaspoon of the dried leaves to a cup and pour over hot water. Allow to steep for a few minutes and cool before drinking. This tea calms upset stomachs, eases stress and helps with headaches.
Let the tea cool completely and you have an excellent conditioner for the hair, stimulating the roots and adding glossy highlights.
There are many more uses for rosemary, so whether you plant it in your garden, or buy it from the grocery store, it will never go to waste.