Rosemary, a natural antioxidant
Rosemary is considered a "symbolic herb" and has been used at weddings
and funerals to decorate churches and halls, in religious ceremonies it
is used as incense and it is often found as a main ingredient in
magical spells.
Ancient uses for rosemary included treating muscle pain,
headaches, cuts and scrapes, bruises and baldness.
This aromatic evergreen mint grows to a
height of about
one meter and bears
narrow, thick, needle-like leaves with light blue to violet flowers.
Culinary experts use rosemary to give extra flavour and
aroma to all kinds of dishes. Herbalists use rosemary soaked
compresses to relieve the pain and swelling associated with sprains and
bruises.
Most interesting however is the recent research conducted into the
cancer fighting properties of rosemary. One of these studies
was
done at the Department of Food Science at Rutgers University in New
Jersey. Oil from this herbal medicine was applied to the skin
of
laboratory animals and it was found that it reduced their risk of
cancer by 50 percent. In another study conducted by the same
research team, it was found that animals whose diets contained rosemary
had half the incidence of colon cancer compared with animals whose
diets did not include rosemary. At the University of Illinois
studies showed that the incidence of breast cancer was reduced by half
in animals at risk of developing this disease.
Rosemary is not just useful as a muscle relaxant for sprains and
bruises, but also relaxes the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and
the uterus, soothing digestive upsets and relieving painful menstrual
cramps. Tea brewed from this herb is prescribed as a tonic to
calm nerves and the cooled down brew can be used as an antiseptic wash.
Use one teaspoon of crushed dried leave in a cup of boiling
water
and let it steep for 10 minutes. Rosemary is prescribed by
herbalists as a hair rinse to combat alopecia (hair loss) as well as
dandruff and other cosmetic uses include cellulite and wrinkle
treatments. Adding rosemary oil to a hot bath can help to
increase blood circulation and help to remove toxins from your body.
Ointments and creams containing rosemary oil are used to
treat
eczema and help to heal burn wounds.
When combined with other aromatherapy oils, rosemary can increase
concentration and memory, and also relieve stress and reduce anxiety.
What are the side effects of
Rosemary?
Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal
medications should you be under their care.
Rosemary has very few side effects when taken as prescribed.
Large doses can however cause allergic skin rashes, lower the
dosage or discontinue use should this occur. Pregnant and
lactating women should not take rosemary.
People who are on blood thinning medication such as Warfarin should
only take rosemary under the care and recommendation of a medical
practitioner. Rosemary acts as a diuretic and people who are
on prescription diuretics should take care when using this herbal
remedy.
How do I take Rosemary?
Rosemary is available in many forms:
Dried and powdered extract available in capsules, preparations made
from fresh or dried leaves that are used in tincture and teas, and
volatile oil.
Do not take rosemary oil internally. The total daily intake
should not exceed 5 grams of the dried herb.
To make rosemary tea: use one teaspoon of the dried herb per
cup of boiled water. Let it steep and then strain.
Do not exceed 3 cups per day.
Rosemary tincture: solution of 1:5 - 2-4 ml three times per
day.
Rosemary fluid extract: solution of 1:1 in 45% alcohol - 1-2
ml three times per day.
Rosemary oil: add 2 drops of oil to your bathwater.
Avoid contact with eyes and do not use on open wounds.
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