Article - Rosemary (unedited 1st draft)

LIVING WITH HERBS

Herbs are seed-bearing plants that contain powerful stimulating nutrients which are used widely traditionally and currently by herbalists. The leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, bark, berries and other parts of herbs are widely used in culinary, medicinal and aromatherapy fields.

The remarkable properties of herbs are constantly being researched and confirmed scientific reports would lend credibility to the therapeutic properties of herbs. Nonetheless, herbs had been widely used historically and traditionally in alternative healing therapies.


ROSEMARY FOR REMEMBRANCE

Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub, native to the Mediterranean area. It is a member of the mint family. The top of the long glossy and strongly scented needle-like leaves are dark green in colour while silver-white on the underside. The flowers are small and may be blue, white or pink, depending on the species.

History

In ancient times, rosemary was associated with remembrance, memory and fidelity. To help them remember their studies, Greek scholars wore rosemary in their hair. This association has carried through to modern times. It became a symbol of remembrance. There is a western custom of casting sprigs of rosemary on to the coffin when it had been lowered into the grave and leaving rosemary at graveyards. It is also an emblem of fidelity and is often included in bridal bouquets.

Benefits and Uses

Rosemary is known as the herb of remembrance and used in aromatherapy treatments to invigorate and stimulate the mind, body and spirit. The aromatic leaves and parts of the flowers contain a volatile oil. This fragrant oil is used in making perfume and toiletry products such as shampoo, cream and lotion.

The leaves and flowers can be infused into a tea and is believed to relieve headaches, colic and colds with a calming effect on the nervous system.

Fresh or dried rosemary leaves can also be used as seasoning or marinade for meat such as beef, lamb and chicken. It is also used to flavour bread, cheese and butter and popularly used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine.

Therapeutic Properties

Rosemary is believed to boost the memory and increase alertness. Its crisp and clean smelling essential oil invigorates the mind, stimulates the brain and the circulatory system and has a calming effect on the nerves. Hence, it helps relieve headaches, migraines, mental fatigue, depression and congested respiratory tract problems. Since rosemary improves blood circulation, avoid using it in the late evening as it may keep you awake. Avoid using rosemary if you are pregnant or suffer from high blood pressure or epilepsy.

Rosemary may be burned with juniper berries to disinfect and purify the air. They are also used in aromatherapy treatments. The essential oil of rosemary can be used externally to relieve muscular pains, pain in rheumatism and arthritis. Since rosemary oil is a natural deep heat, it can be mixed with juniper in a base oil for an invigorating massage. However, do not massage over swollen or painful joints.

It is also believed to stimulate growth of hair follicles and promotes blood circulation of the scalp. Its astringent property in its tannin content helps in the treatment of diarrhea and reduce excessive menstrual flow. It also acts as a carminative to ease colic and dyspeptic disorders.

Remembering Rosemary

So remember rosemary’s impressive healing qualities. Enjoy its distinctive scent and improve concentration by adding rosemary oil to an essential oil burner. Awaken the body with a rosemary scented morning bath. Take advantage of its warm penetrating effect in a massage to relieve pain and detoxify the body.

So remember this wonderful stimulant when your brain is tired. Remember its invigorating properties in increasing mental alertness and improving memory. Rosemary is for remembrance.


JUNIPER BERRY FOR PROTECTION

Genièvre is French for juniper berry, a word in which Gin, a juniper berry flavoured spirit is named after. Besides its use in making martinis, it’s widely used by herbalist in treating congestive heart failure, gonorrhea and urinary tract infections. It is also known for its diuretic properties.

Juniper is a small shrub, between 4 to 5 feet high, widely found growing in the Northern Hemisphere. It can be commonly found where limestone occurs. Its berries which are actually not berries but a portion of its cone, take two or three years to ripen so it is common to see both blue berries and unripe green berries on the same plant.

Juniper berry has a pungent peppery and camphorous fragrance. The needles have a turpentinelike scent called juniper tar. Having similar properties as cedar wood, juniper berry also acts as a wool moth repellent.

Traditionally, juniper was used for protection, planted at entrances of homes to guard against evil and ghosts. The branches were burnt to ward off contagious diseases and it was believed that they were burned in hospitals as an antiseptic when supplies of drugs ran low. It was also known to be used to stimulate menstruation and childbirth.

Uses and therapeutic properties

Juniper tea can be made by adding 1 tablespoon of juniper berries and steeping for about 20 minutes. It has antiseptic and astringent properties. It also brings relief to the aches of sore muscles, rheumatism and arthritis. Besides aiding digestion, it also increases urination and hence, washes out the urinary tracts.

It is widely used as a spice in European cuisine. The berries can be added whole or slightly crushed to a variety of dishes such as sauerkraut.

Its volatile oil is extensively used in aromatherapy treatments. Fresh berries yield the highest quality oil but needles, branches and berries that have already been distilled to flavour gin may also be used. This essential oil is used in massage oils and baths to treat arthritic and rheumatic pain, varicose veins, fluid retention and bladder infection. Inhaling the steam of juniper's oil is also believed to relieve bronchial congestion and bronchial spasms, besides lifting up your spirits to ocunter general debility. It can also be used cosmetically in treatment for acne and eczema, and added to shampoos to treat dandruff or greasy hair.

However, juniper can overstimute the kidneys so people with kidney impairment should be weary about juniper's overpowerin properties.


VOLATILITY OF HERBS

Herbs are usually used in small amounts and its essential oil may be volatile. In this sense, small quantities can be healthy and beneficial but in large quantities, they may lead be toxic to the liver. However, if used with caution and in the correct proportion, benefits are vast and should not be elusive.

So, why not try living with rosemary and juniper berry, and see the change in your world.