"The Health Benefits of Rosemary"
Rosemary, like most of the hundreds of culinary herbs, is attractive to the eye, very aromatic and stimulating, and brings great flavor to many dishes. Though many recipes call for a measurement of the dried, powdered rosemary, you can simply add an entire sprig of rosemary to soups, sauces or quick stir-fried dishes for its unique flavor. When purchasing rosemary, fresh is superior when cooking because its fresh flavor is more subtle than the pungent dried form. Fresh rosemary can be refrigerated in a Ziploc bag for several weeks; dried rosemary should be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place to keep for several months. Dried rosemary is more effective when used for medicinal purposes.
One of my favorite tips to share, is to melt down about ½ to 1 pound of butter, chop up ½ to ¾ cup of one (or combination) of your favorite culinary herb(s) and quickly sautee in the butter for about 20-30 seconds, then poor into ice cube trays to freeze until ready to use. Then you can simply add a cube or two to your favorite omelet, soup or meat dish. Or melt and brush on top of (or mix in) freshly baked bread or biscuits.
People often ask me whether it is better to use herbs fresh or dried. There are many times when a few fresh leaves added to a dish clearly enhances the flavor, but dried herbs are actually stronger than fresh, simply because when the water is removed it concentrates the herbs’ constituents. That also enhances and strengthens the healing values of the herbs. I don’t think many people realize how nutrient-packed rosemary is. The dried, concentrated version of rosemary provides a greater intensity of all its constituents: 93 calories, 12 grams of fiber and 45% of the daily value in iron, 35% of the calcium, 29% of the vitamin C and 18% of the vitamin A needed each day. Some of the chemical constituents of Rosemary include antibacterial and antioxidant, rosmarinic acid, plus several essential oils that are known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. A simple cup of rosemary tea is good for inflammation of the joints, headaches, indigestion and colds.
Rosemary contains substances that are useful for stimulating the immune system, increasing circulation, and improving digestion. Because rosemary is such a strong stimulant, it makes an exceptional ‘stimulating’ aromatic bath. Simply add ½ to 1 cup of rosemary to 3-4 cups of boiling water, cover and remove from the flame and let steep 30 minutes before adding to the bath water. Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may make it useful for reducing the severity of asthma attacks. In addition, rosemary has been shown to increase the blood flow to the head and brain, improving concentration and has proven effective for the scalp and strengthening the hair.
There’s more. The health benefits of rosemary are due to the presence of vitamin A, which gives it its free radical-antioxidant properties. Rosemary also promotes healthy skin, strengthens vision and mucus membranes. It is highly regarded in the herbal community for its tonic, astringent, and diaphoretic (the property of increasing perspiration) effects. The presence of vitamin C synthesizes collagen, the protein required for optimal blood vessels, organs, skin, and bones. Manganese, another of the more prominent minerals in rosemary, plays such a critical antioxidant role in the body that it is associated with lowering the risk of lung and mouth cancers, specifically breast cancer. Rosemary also contains iron (part of the hemoglobin inside red blood cells, determining how much oxygen the blood will carry) and potassium (a component in cell and body fluids which helps control heart rate and blood pressure).
One of the best known uses of rosemary oil is that it serves as an extremely effective mouthwash. Bring two cups of water to a boil, add three teaspoons of dried rosemary, cover and remove from the flame. Let steep for 20-30 minutes. Strain and use as a mouthwash every morning (or several times a day if needed). It can get rid one of halitosis almost immediately after it is taken.
