Are You Growing Enough Rosemary?
- Stevie Vanhalen
- Nov 11, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 13, 2024
Rosemary
(Salvia rosmarinus)
This evergreen shrub is a member of the mint family( Lamiaceae) and is classified as a perennial, meaning it continues to regrow on its own each year as long as weather conditions permit. It grows in bushes with wood-like stems and short pine-like needles. The plant features white, pink, purple, or blue flowers. It loves drought-tolerant areas that are warm while withstanding harsh conditions. The ideal temperature ranges between 25ᵒ Celsius (68ᵒ-77ᵒ Fahrenheit) and not below -17ᵒ Celsius (0ᵒ Fahrenheit). Rosemary is a hardy plant that can withstand frost.
Rosemary has a long history of culinary, medicinal, and skincare use. Throughout civilization, it has been used in cosmetics for its cleansing, soothing, and antioxidant properties.
Rosemary is a natural antioxidant that keeps fats from becoming rancid. It has been shown in studies (see below resource reference) used in cooking because it preserves animal fats from spoiling. I use it personally in my body care with high-fat content to stabilize and prolong its shelf life. Other studies have shown the antibacterial activity of rosemary oil against E. coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella choleraesuis. This essential oil was incorporated into meat reporting antibacterial activity against Brochothrix thermosphacta and Enterobacteriaceae [2] . In my opinion, it's an excellent herb to cook with. Rosemary can be used dried or fresh while cooking with it. Due to its low moisture content, it never loses flavor in dried preparations.
As for medical purposes, it has significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-tumorigenic, antinociceptive, and neuroprotective properties. Furthermore, it shows important clinical effects on mood, learning, memory, pain, anxiety, and sleep [1] .
Rosemary Essential Oil’s chemical composition consists of main constituents: α -Pinene, Camphor, 1,8-Cineol, Camphene, Limonene, and Linalool. Rosemary is also good for the brain. Rosemary contains an ingredient called carnosic acid, which can fight off damage by free radicals in the brain which could have beneficial effects with Alzeimer’s [3] .
I put Rosemary Co2 Extract in my oils and body care items due to its antioxidant effects. Some studies have shown that Rosemary has anti-aging effects on the skin due to its active constituent carnosic acid. Several studies that are in vivo and in vitro have shown that carnosic acid may help protect the skin from UV damage. UV damage is one of the largest effects of accelerating aging and skin damage [4] .
This herb can be easily grown and has such wonderful benefits. What an amazing gardening addition that could be added to your garden. Culinary flavors in your dishes dried or fresh and also preserving fats in meat from spoiling. It may keep not only your body feeling great but also your brain healthy. Lastly, rosemary's antioxidant properties can keep your skin youthful. Rosemary is an herb that should be highlighted!
1 . Ramkumar, Nagesh, Michael R.Robinson, and Ravi D. Patel. "The Role of Intravitreal Therapy in the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy." Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism 11 (2020): 1-13 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7491497/
2 . Liu, Hongyu, Yang Yang, Kaihua Li, Ying Cui, Haibin Zhao, and Xiaoling Hu. "Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Their Role in Vascular Diseases." Journal of Translational Medicine 16, no. 1 (2018): 169.
3. Ramkumar, Nagesh, Michael R. Robinson, and Ravi D. Patel. "The Role of Intravitreal Therapy in the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy." Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism 11 (2020): 2042018820938578. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7491497/
4. Tiwari, Suman, Haritha Chandran, Ayesha Asghar, and Aruna G. Nair. "Diabetes, Diabetic Retinopathy, and the Role of Intravitreal Therapy." Cells 12, no. 9 (2023): 1455.
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Stevie Van Halen is a Master Herbalist who has an educational background in Nursing and Holistic Health. She enjoys researching data and articles on health, whole food, herbs, and gardening. All articles on this blog are written by her. All information and resources are cited and referenced. Juniper Rose Garden and/or Stevie Van Halen owns this intellectual property and use or copy is prohibited unless with written permission and consent.
All health content on juniperrosegarden.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider.
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