Top Ten Tips on Using the Herb Rosemary in Your Home
Everyone should have the herb known as "rosemary" if they have a garden because this is one the most aromatic and pungent herbs available. And it has so many uses.
How to harvest rosemary
The good thing about rosemary is that it actually benefits from being snipped regularly. If you can take a little bit of rosemary off weekly, you will help your plant to become more healthy. Simply snip the top two or three inches off each sprig and use as you desire.
For drying and preserving, bundle up some clippings and hang them upside down to dry in a warm area for some ten to fourteen days. Once they are dry, you can strip the stems and store the leaves in an air-tight jar.
For an easy-to-make rosemary oil, simply infuse your rosemary leaves in a carrier oil such as jojoba or olive for three to six weeks, leaving the jar in a sunny position.
Our top ten suggestions for using rosemary in the home
- You can use that homemade rosemary oil (mentioned above) as a massage oil for aching muscles.
- You can ensure a natural deodorant and improve your body odor by adding more herbs including rosemary to your meals.
- Rosemary can also improve the health of your hair and scalp. A strong infusion of rosemary and nettle leaf makes for a great post-shampoo herbal hair rinse. Not only does its antimicrobial properties help reduce dandruff, but it stimulates blood flow which speeds hair growth when used regularly. In addition, research has found that using rosemary on your hair can lead to faster growth and improved hair quality by removing impurities, unblocking hair follicles and stimulating the scalp. Mix a blend of lavender, thyme, rosemary, cedarwood and peppermint into your shampoo - and massage into the scalp weekly.
- Relief from Congestion is another use. Whether you’re suffering from a really stuffy nose or congestion in the chest, rosemary combined with the old fashioned home remedy of steam treatment will be sure to bring you relief. Boil water in a pot or kettle and transfer immediately to a large, heat proof bowl. Stir in two spoons of fresh or dried rosemary – a natural antiseptic that helps open nasal passages. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl, positioning the towel to keep in as much steam as possible. Breathe in the vapors for up to ten minutes.
- Rosemary can improve your cognitive performance. Diffusing your homemade rosemary oil or simply sipping on a cup of rosemary tea (made by pouring boiling water over a handful of dried or fresh rosemary leaves) can help boost mental clarity and enhance cognitive performance. Your can sweeten the tea with some honey. At the same time, rosemary may well help to prevent your brain from aging while keeping your brain sharper as you grow older. The herb comes with carnosic acid content which fights off free radical damage.
- Rosemary can also provide natural pain relief when drunk as a tea especially when suffering from the pain of heartburn and intestinal gas. In addition and when applied topically, rosemary oil can lessen the severity of toothaches and other painful conditions.
- Suffering from stress and anxiety? Time to visit your rosemary shrub. One of the simplest methods to accomplish this boost to your brain is to snip a little rosemary off each day and spend time sniffing it!
- Good oral health is another use for rosemary with its antimicrobial properties helping to kill off the bad bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease - even helping with bad breath. And it is simple! Boil or steep four rosemary sprigs and four whole cloves in two cups of water until you’re left with a potent homemade mouthwash.
- Another tip for good oral health is to add a few drops of rosemary oil to your regular or homemade toothpaste.
- Rosemary can be a pest deterrent too! Achieve this in your home by placing sprigs of rosemary by the doors and windows. You can also spray a mixture of ten drops of rosemary essential oil per one cup of water to relevant areas of your home.
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Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.