Rosmarinus officionalis can be found growing wild in Mediterranean regions. The name "rose marinus," from latin, means "Dew of the Sea."
The plant can survive our winters outdoors, in protected areas, but in the event of long-term exposure to freezing temperatures, the root system does have a tendency to dry out.
If one wants to buy a potted rosemary plant [from the supermarket] during the winter months, one needs to give the plant lots of light and daily, careful watering for it to survive indoors. Once a week, the plant will thrive on plant food diluted in water.
An ideal place to keep the plant would be close to our desks, in the immediate vicinity of a window. Gently caress the plant's branches and breathe in the essential oils it releases. The spicy aroma strengthens concentration and thinking ability.
Children are fond of this stimulating odor. Prior to doing their homework, it could become a helpful ritual for them to put their noses close to the plant's greenery, and they can also gently caress it with their fingers. This helps to promote acuity, making learning easier. And should they decide to take over the care of this plant, they have laid a small cornerstone for their social development.
The plant can also be eaten: preferably by mincing the "needles" and heating them. Rosemary not only tastes delicious and benefits the liver and gall bladder, it also activates the stomach's digestive processes. Furthermore, rosemary enhances the central nervous system, aids metabolism, and can help to dispel headaches.
And what would you think of the idea of consuming a plate full of whole-wheat spaghetti, topped with peeled tomatoes (if need be, from a can) and sprinkled with finely chopped, raw rosemary, instead of taking a headache pain pill? Try this out, and at the very least you will find that the food will make you feel content.
Another possibility is to prepare a tea, from 1 teaspoon of chopped rosemary leaves/needles to one cup of boiling water. Let steep for a few minutes, until it has developed a lovely green tint. One's first impression with the delightful beverage is its savory flavor, with the positive after-effect of rosemary's essential oils an added bonus.
Pregnant women need not be concerned with consuming small quantities of the herb, but they need to consult their medical professional before embarking on any kind of rosemary therapy. During pregnancy, consuming rosemary in large quantities over an extended period of time could cause an involuntary abortion.
One of the external uses for rosemary is in the form of massage oil. One places rosemary sprigs in a glass jar with olive oil, caps it and lets the jar sit for a few weeks in a sunny window. This oil will work well as a massage medium for muscle and joint spasms, aches and pains, or simply to relax. The oil can be gently heated and used as an Ayurveda-pour (note).
A water-alcohol tincture of rosemary as a hair rinse strengthens and enhances brown-toned hair. The erstwhile Austrian Empress Sisi attributes her legendary hair to the use of rosemary tinctures.
A bathtub enhanced with rosemary sprigs is a real treat. For this, one places a handful of rosemary sprigs into a vessel, covering them with one quart of boiling water. Allow this concoction to steep for half an hour, covered. Pour it through a strainer, into the bath water, without adding anything else. This preparation is gentle on the skin.
As you can tell - rosemary is a fascinating plant from which we can benefit in a myriad of ways. It should not take the place of a physician, however, when one is acutely ill.
Note: an Ayurvedic massage oil to tonify and flush out toxins
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