Rosemary - Rosmarinus

Most people think of herbs during the summer and harvest season, but Rosemary is truly the winter herb. As an evergreen herb, Rosemary (Rosmarinus) is outstanding throughout the seasons, but I think of it most often in the winter when it blooms beautiful blue flowers. It is in these cold months that I crave its flavor and aromatic fragrance in my comfort foods.   

 

Rosemary has not only been a staple in our foods, it also has been a staple in our cultures and history. It grows wild in the south of France and around the Mediterranean regions. Scholars in ancient Greece wore Rosemary in their hair to help them concentrate in their studies. Later legends state that Rosemary was best grown in gardens of independent women. 

 

Rosemary has come to represent loyalty and remembrance of departed loved ones. Ancient and Victorian era brides put rosemary in their bridal bouquets or bridals wreaths as a symbol of remembrance. While in ancient Egypt, Rosemary was used to ward off evil spirits in the tombs of pharaohs. 

 

Medicinally, Rosemary was used for gout, indigestion, hair rinses and facial washes. In modern days, Rosemary has been found in use for headache relief and blood pressure reduction, in liniments to help to ease rheumatism and in hair rinses for dandruff.

 

Aromatherapy with Rosemary is said to help to improve memory and concentration and also may aid in reducing symptoms of depression. Poultices can be made to aid in healing wounds and soothing eczema. Researchers are also looking to Rosemary for help in curing cancer. I’m not a doctor so can’t confirm any of this, but it’s amazing to learn all of Rosemary’s attributes.

 

It also makes a very aromatic evergreen hedge, which is drought tolerant and deer resistant. As an un-pruned hedge, standard Rosemary can reach up to 6 feet tall. It takes about one year to establish Rosemary in your landscape before it becomes more drought tolerant. Top dress your Rosemary with compost or mulch once a year and it will thrive in your landscape.

 

If you love that Tuscan and Mediterranean garden style, use Rosemary in rustic or terra cotta containers for an authentic look. 

 

Being Italian, my favorite use for Rosemary is definitely in cooking. I like to toss fresh or dried rosemary leaves with olive oil on cut up potatoes – bake until tender.  Yum. It is also delicious when preparing chicken and beef dishes. If you have a more mature Rosemary plant, you can create shish-kabobs from the woody stems for barbequing chicken or beef. Clip off all the foliage and soak in the stems in water before skewing. The flavors seep into the meat. Stews, soups and breads; the cooking potential is endless.  

 

An easy trick if you would like to dry a few leaves for storage, is to place them between two paper towels in the microware. Use short bursts of power so you don’t burn the foliage – only a few seconds between checking on their progress. Then store them in an airtight container.

 

You just have to love a plant, like Rosemary, that adds so much history, interest and flavor from your garden.