Dorothy FarrarRosemary (food)
Rosemary , from the mint family, is related to herbs like sage , lavender , and thyme . Scientific name: Rosmarinus officinalis. It is one of the best-known herbs from the Mediterranean region. The plant with its conspicuous needles was already highly valued as a medicinal herb in ancient times.
Here’s what you should know about rosemary
Rosemary loves the warmth and is therefore mainly at home in the Mediterranean area, especially in the coastal regions it grows wild. The herb has been cultivated since ancient times, as the Egyptians and Romans used the plant primarily in ceremonies.
The plant came to Europe with the monks. They particularly valued their healing powers and planted them in their monastery gardens. It is not known exactly when rosemary came to Central Europe and Germany. It was mentioned by name as early as the time of Charlemagne, around 770. Queen Philippa of Hainault introduced the herb to England in 1388.
Botanically, rosemary is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to two meters tall. But that only applies to the wild species. The cultivated varieties only reach a height of about one meter. Rosemary can be grown in the garden, in tubs or beds, but needs a sunny spot. Pink, purple, blue, or white flowers can be seen among the needle-like leaves during flowering between March and May.
Harvest time is from May to the end of October. The smell of rosemary is just as intense as its taste, which is dominated by a resinous, slightly bitter note. As a kitchen spice, it should therefore only be used sparingly.
importance to health
In the natural medicine pharmacy, rosemary is an indispensable herb. Rosemary has retained its importance as a medicinal plant to this day, albeit not to the same extent as in the past. After all, rosemary was voted Medicinal Plant of the Year in 2011. The ingredients have a stimulating effect on the circulation and calm the stomach . Rosemary is also considered diuretic and cholagogue and stimulates the appetite.
In general, the healing spectrum of rosemary is very extensive: circulatory disorders , rheumatism , tiredness , breathing difficulties , migraines , neuralgia , indigestion , skin rashes , nervous heart problems .
In addition, the substances of the herb are said to have antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, nerve-strengthening and antifungal properties.
In the Middle Ages, rosemary was also used to treat worms and jaundice . Current research indicates improved brain performance attributed to essential oils.
Ingredients & nutritional values
Rosemary leaves contain up to 2.5 percent essential oils. The main components are camphor, 1,8-cineole and α-pinene. Resins, tannins and bitter substances, as well as flavonoids, saponins and glycolic acid are also among the ingredients of the plant. The cineol in particular is important because on the one hand it can accelerate the effect of the leaves and on the other hand it is apparently responsible for better memory performance. Depending on the origin of the herb, however, the composition of the active ingredients can vary greatly.
| Calories and nutrients (per 100g) | ||
| kilocalories/kilojoules | 57 kcal/ 237 kj | |
| protein | 0,81 g | |
| carbohydrates | 7,66 g | |
| Fett | 2,51 g | |
| Water | 85,00 g | |
| fiber | 2,91 g | |
| beta-carotene | 310 µg | |
| Vitamin A | 52 µg | |
intolerances
Due to the strong essential oils, care should be taken when using rosemary. Rosemary sprigs, processed into an intensive herbal oil, may only be used in diluted form, as the skin can react with severe irritation.
With infants and young children, care must be taken not to get in the area of the nose and mouth because direct contact can cause shortness of breath . In asthmatics, inhaling the essential oils could trigger an asthma attack . Therefore, before self-treatment, a clarifying discussion with the doctor is necessary.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Even if the healing effect of rosemary is undisputed, nowadays it is used almost exclusively as a culinary herb. Whether fresh or dried, every supermarket has this plant in its range.
If you grow the shrub in the garden, it is best to collect the leaves shortly before the flowers begin, because that is when the ingredients are most intensive and rich in content. Fast and gentle drying is the be-all and end-all to preserve the essential oils. Anyone who grows a rosemary pot on the windowsill or owns shrubs in the garden can cut off the fresh shoots if necessary.
preparation tips
The intensity of rosemary makes it an ideal meat seasoning. Lamb, pork and beef form an intensive connection with the herb and give a dish a very special touch.
The rosemary aroma comes into its own when small sprigs are cooked or when they are fried with butter and can then pass on the taste. As a barbecue spice, rosemary is also a harmonious addition. Potatoes and pasta also benefit from the aromatic ingredients.
Even desserts such as honey and jelly can be flavored with rosemary. Nevertheless, the economical use should always be in the foreground, since the rosemary taste very easily masks other aromas.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.