The fresh, herbal, pine-like sweetness of rosemary is a favorite of chefs around the world, especially when chopped up fresh, and tossed onto roasted pork, chicken, or potatoes. Fragrance lovers too can enjoy this same scent in the form of an essential oil.
Botanical Name: Rosmarinus Officinalis
An evergreen shrub with thick leaves that are lustrous and dark green. Its tiny pale blue blossoms abound from December through spring, and it can grow to heights of close to two meters in height. Its name means 'dew of the sea' because rosemary naturally grows near the Mediterranean Sea. It has been used medicinally for several thousand years, and its leaves were traditionally burned to purify the air. Rosemary was used in Roman burial rites, and that practice continued well into the middle ages when it was customary to lay branches of rosemary on the coffin at funerals.
Rosemary is known as a nervous system stimulant, and can help one stay alert. It can assist in increasing circulation when used for massage. Many studies indicate that it has powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
All essential oils must be diluted with a plain carrier oil before applying to the skin in order to avoid irritation.
Caution: Rosemary essential oil is counter-indicated for pregnant women, and those with epilepsy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25002023
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25002023
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23921795