The best herb in the kitchen (Rosemary)

Member Name: enlightened_one

Product:	Rosemary
Date:	06/02/07 (136 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can be used for medicinal and cooking

Disadvantages: Really needs to be replaced every 5 years

I have decided to do a review for one of my favourite herbs for the kitchen, the Rosemary.

Rosemary – Rosmarinus – Evergreen hardy perennial

***The Plant***

Hmm I can almost smell it, it’s a fantastic herb and can be used for cooking and adding to meat especially Lamb. It’s also very nice stuffed in the inside of a chicken with a few cloves of garlic and half lemon.

I use Rosemary to make a rosemary flavoured olive oil, and if you have an open fire throw a few twigs of rosemary on it to make the whole room smell fantastic.

Rosemary is from the Mediterranean but has been widely spread all over the world.

The Latin name for it is sea-dew as it was first found to be growing near the sea and from a distance the plant looks like it has dew on it, and Its meant to have magic powers according to Spanish folk lore.

There is a story behind rosemary….

When the Virgin Mary fled to Egypt, the Virgin Mary had to hide from some soldiers, so she spread her cloak over a rosemary bush which then had white flowers and knelt behind it.

When the soldiers had gone past she stood up and removed her cloak and the flowers had changed to blue in her honour.

Christians believe rosemary grows for 33 years then dies, which was the same length of Christ’s life.

During the plague people use to wear it around there neck in pouches to stop the smell.

Certain species of rosemary can grow 3 foot and spread about a foot, and can produce white or purple flowers and there is even a species that produce pink flowers.

The leaves are like needles and are dark green, growing closely together, which makes rosemary look bushy.

Rosemary is ideal for growing in soil beds or pot where people walk by and brush against them, making a lovely smell.

***Cultivation***

Rosemary can be grown from seed, but it’s not easy as it needs around 80-90oF to germinate.

Seeds should be sown in the spring on the surface of either a seed tray or a big pot and cover with perlite. Once you have got it to germinate be very careful not to over water as they will suffer from damping off.

Harden the young plant off in the summer and pot on in a good multi purpose compost, It is best to keep it in a pot for the first winter, and plant out to you spot the following spring.

I prefer cuttings to be honest its so much easier and reliable, take the cuttings in spring of the new growth. Cut lengths of about 6inches and place in a pot with good multi purpose compost.

As rosemary is Evergreen hardy perennial you can pick leaves all year round, and the bushes need to be replaced every 5 years even though it will live for 33 years.

***Medicinal***

Like most essential oils, rosemary has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and helps bad circulation when rubbed in to the human joints.

The oil can be used as an insect repellent, and if rubbed on the forehead is used as a headache remedy.

Rosemary tea is very good as a mouthwash and a great antiseptic gargle.

Place a teaspoon of chopped leaves in a cup and add boiling water, cover and leave for about 5 minutes.

You can also make an antiseptic solution to the bath water to promote healthy skin, Boil a handful rosemary leaves in 16fl oZ of water for about 10 minutes, drained of the herbs and add the liquid to the bath.

***Other Use***

Put rosemary twigs on the BBQ for a lovely aroma, or make a infusion like the tea above, for a final rinse of a hair wash, as it will make it shine (for dark hair).

For fair hair use chamomile instead.

***Culinary***

Ill try to give you a few ideas of where and how I use rosemary in the kitchen.

Its probably one of the most useful herbs I use in the kitchen; I use it in loads of dishes.

Get a leg of lamb and make some cuts in the leg, brush honey on the lamb then scatter rosemary on top Hmmmm.

I also find it’s nice in mash potato, and in scrambled eggs.

I have seen a chef on the TV yesterday using it with poached apples, ill have to give that a go.

Steam your fresh fish with the cavity filled with slices of lemon and few sprigs of rosemary.

Don’t forget the chicken recipe, Cut a lemon in half and place it in the cavity of the chicken with a few cloves of garlic and a good hand full of rosemary, it’s worth a go trust me you will love it.

Well that should keep you going for a bit.

***WARNING***

DON’T use whilst pregnant as it can cause a abortion in some cases, and large doses can be toxic.

As with all herbal medicine do your researches before you use it

Thanks for reading my reviews, and thank you for rating them.

Tashi Delek (May everything be well)

enlightened_one © 2007

Summary: The perfect herb for meat dishes