Rosemary is a hardy bushy perennial shrub with aromatic, evergreen leaves and pale-blue flowers around the stem. Pour near-boiling water over the herb and let steep 5-10 minutes. Standard quantities are 75g fresh or 30g dried herb to 500ml water. The Infusion must be taken same day. It may be sweetened, but do not add milk. This is the best method for leaves and flowering tops.

The oil from the leaves and flowering tops can be used as a insect repellent by diluting the oil in water or using a decoction as a spray and use as an insect repellent.

It is used with great success for dyspeptic complaints, flatulence and to stimulate appetite and the secretion of gastric juices.

It is also used as supportive therapy for rheumatism and circulatory problems.

In herbal preparations it can be included to ensure proper circulation to the penis.

Furthermore it is used for headaches, as well as for nervous complaints.

Rosemary is used widely in Mediterranean cooking and the fresh or dried leaves are used to flavor meat (especially lamb and kid), sausages, stuffing, soups, stews and to make tea. The flowers can also be added to salads. Externally, rosemary helps to increase circulation and is very often used in hair care products and lotions as it stimulates the hair follicles to renewed activity and prevent premature baldness.

It has two important properties - it is an outstanding free radical scavenger and therefore has amazing antioxidant properties, and secondly has an remarkable stimulating effect on the skin.

Apart from this, it has good antiseptic properties and is traditionally used for hair and scalp stimulation, as well as anti-aging products.

It has rubefacient properties and therefore is most useful when an increase of blood flow is required or when below-par circulation needs to be rectified.

Rosemary is an effective treatment against scurf and dandruff.

It can also be used in mouth rinses and gargles; and is applied topically to stimulate circulation.

It has analgesic as well as antibacterial, antifungal and anti-parasitic properties. Medicated Oils are oils infused with the leaves and flowering tops. Used for healing, oils are also used for skin and hair conditioning. Four methods are available to make Medicated Oils. 1) heat 250g dried or 750g fresh herb in 500ml of oil in a bowl over boiling water for 2-3 hours. 2) fill a jar with fresh herbs, top it up with oil, cover and leave for 2-3 weeks. Renew the herb for another 2-3 weeks to increase the concentration (best for flowers). 3) add 25-50 drops of the "essential oils of the herb" into 100ml of Oil for immediate use. 4) essential oils are obtained by evaporation of the herb in a stoppered glass container left in the sun for several days and use for externally for treating Arthritis and Rheumatism, Neuralgia, Muscular Injuries, and wounds

This essential oil helps to clear the mind, sharpen the memory and boost the central nervous system. In the body it helps to clear respiratory congestion, including sinuses and relieving catarrh and asthma.

Its analgesic properties are useful for treating rheumatism, arthritis and sore stiff muscles.

Furthermore, it stimulates the liver and gall bladder and helps to lower high blood sugar.

On the skin, it has a tightening effect and reduces bloating and puffiness. In hair care, it stimulates hair growth and fights scalp problems.

It has analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic properties.

Several studies done in the last several years show that oil from the leaves of the very plant sold as a spice for flavoring can help prevent the development of cancerous tumors in laboratory animals. One study, led by Chi-Tang Ho, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Food Science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, showed that applying rosemary oil to the skin of experimental animals reduced their risk of cancer to half that found in animals that did not receive the application of oil. In other studies by the same research team, animals whose diets contained some rosemary oil had about half the incidence of colon cancer or lung cancer compared with animals not eating rosemary. And researchers at the University of Illinois in Urbana found that rosemary cut by half the incidence of breast cancer in animals at high risk for developing the disease. Future studies will demonstrate whether these properties extend to humans as well. Though these experiments have used rosemary oil to test the effectiveness in preventing cancer, the oil should not be taken internally. Even small doses can cause stomach, kidney and intestinal problems, and large amounts may be poisonous. Use a tea instead. Pregnant women should not use the herb medicinally, although it's okay to use it as a seasoning.

Simmer the leaves and flowering tops for 15-30 minues and strain. Standard quantities are 75g fresh or 30g dried herb to 500ml water. The Decoction must be used on the same day and use for treating Anxiety, Colic, Depression, Poor Digestion, Headaches, and Migranes

Using a strong clear alcohol (gin or vodka is ideal), steep the leaves and flowering tops for 2 weeks or more, strain and use. Standard quantities are 75g fresh or 30g dried herb to 400ml alcohol. Tinctures store very well.

Rosemary helps to relax muscles, including the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and uterus. Because of this property it can be used to soothe digestive upsets and relieve menstrual cramps. When used in large amounts it can have the opposite effect, causing irritation of the intestines and cramps. A tea made form the leaves is also taken as a tonic for calming nerves and used as an antiseptic. Rosemary makes a pleasant-tasting tea. Use one teaspoon of crushed dried leaves in a cup of boiling water and steep for ten minutes. Use an infusion as a rinse to lighten blond hair, and to condition and tone all hair. Try mixing an infusion half and half with shampoo to strengthen hair. An infusion can also be used as an invigorating toner and astringent. Rosemary added to a bath strengthens and refreshes, especially when used following an illness. The herb can be used as a Wash by diluting an unsweetened Infusion or Decoction, or adding a Tincture to a large quantity of water and use by applying externally to the affected area and use for treating Dandruff. Rosemary and lamb go well together. Make slits in lamb for roasting and tuck in sprigs of the herb. Place larger sprigs over chops for grilling and use chopped leaves sparingly in soups and stews. Use rosemary in bouquets garnis and sparingly with fish and in rice dishes. Leaves and flowers are used fresh or dried to flavour a variety of dishes. Also used in vinegars, wines and olive oils.

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