Home remedies with therapeutic Rosemary
Rosemary
Rosmarinus Officianlis
Heed what you say when in the presence of Rosemary. Recollection of your words is likely, with the Queen of remembrance!
It is storied that Rosemary gets her name from the sacred Virgin Mary. The legend goes that when Mary and her family were fleeing Egypt they sought refuge amongst a Rosemary bush. When Mary flung her cloak upon the shrub for added protection the flowers turned from white to blue-hence the Rose of Mary.
The first mention of rosemary is found on cuneiform stone tablets as early as 5000 BC.[8] After that not much is known, except that Egyptians used it in their burial rituals. There is no further mention of rosemary until the ancient Greeks and Romans who along with the Egyptians considered the plant sacred.
Rosemary can be found in harsh and rocky conditions and her native homeland spreads across the Mediterranean.
Rosemary can and should be used in abundance for your health and hearth with it’s, warming and dispersing qualities, nutrient density, bioactive compounds and incredible taste and smell it lends itself readily to so many forms of healing physically and mentally from heart and mind to a glowing home and hair.
Nutritionally Rosemary is a respectable source of Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Potassium Copper, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folate, Calcium, Iron and Manganese. Rosemary also contains a number of phytochemicals, including rosmarinic acid, camphor, caffeic acid to name a few. These compounds have now been researched and shown to have an impressive amount of bioactive potential. (1)(2)(3)
Studies have proven why Rosemary has been paired with meat from time-immemorial. With her remarkable profile of antioxidants and anti-microbial properties Rosemary not only prevents spoilage and heightens flavors but has also been shown to neutralize cancer causing compounds produced from cooking meat at high temperatures.(4) Not generally considered a remedy for the cardiovascular system, rosemary has also been found to be beneficial for the heart, is protective for the skin against UV damage, helpful in alleviating neuropathic (nerve) pain, as well as being protective and supportive for conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.(5)(6)(7) With all of Rosemary’s properties, therapeutic potential and safety profile the greater question would be why would we not use and consume this commanding plant.
Here are a few of the many ways Rosemary can be added with delight into your daily life.
Rosemary Vinegars
Vinegars are extremely versatile and easy ways to incorporate medicinal herbs into our body and home.
Rosemary Hair Rinse
If your goal is to have soft shiny hair this is the rinse for you.
Ingredients:
¾ cup chopped fresh rosemary or ¼ cup dried rosemary
1cup apple cider vinegar
Directions:
Infuse for two weeks, strain then apply to hair after washing, let sit for a few minutes then rinse.
Acne Face Wash
Having a go to home remedy to quell any unwanted skin flare ups is something we can all be thankful for.
Ingredients:
¼ cup crumbled dried rose petals
¼ cup dried lavender
¼ cup crushed dried chamomile
¼ cup crushed dried rosemary
¼ cup crushed dried lemon balm
3 cups apple cider vinegar
Directions:
Add all ingredients into container, store in cold, and dark place for two weeks. Shake regularly. Strain and dab on troubled spots two times a day
Rosemary-Lavender Vinegar
This delicious vinegar not only makes a great marinade but a relaxing and indulgent bath as well.
Ingredients:
¼ cup dried lavender
2 tablespoons dried rosemary
1 cup apple cider vinegar
Directions:
Put all ingredients in jar, store in a cool and dark place for a month making sure the vinegar is always covering the herbs. Strain and then add to foods or bath.
Rosemary All-Purpose Cleaner
This cleaner can go head to head with any store brand, is better for the environment your wallet and leaves your house smelling wonderful.
Ingredients:
1 cup rosemary-lavender vinegar
1 cup hot water
¼ cup vegetable-based liquid soap (castile is my favorite)
1 tablespoon borax
2 teaspoons baking soda
Directions
Put all ingredients into spray bottle, shake until everything dissolves and before using
Muscle Rub Vinegar
This is an easy and great at home remedy to help soothe aching and overworked muscles.
Ingredients:
¾ cup chopped fresh rosemary or ¼ cup dried rosemary
¾ cup chopped fresh mugwort or ¼ cup crushed dried mugwort
3 tablespoons fresh juniper berries or 1 tablespoon crushed dried juniper berries
2 cups apple cider vinegar
Directions:
Put all ingredients in jar, store in a cool and dark place for a month making sure the vinegar is always covering the herbs. Strain and then rub onto fatigued muscles.
Healing Bath Vinegar
This bath is great to calm the skin and speed up healing
Ingredients:
3 cups chopped fresh rosemary
3 cups fresh lavender
3 cups lemon balm
4 quarts apple cider vinegar
Directions:
Put all ingredients in jar, store in a cool and dark place for a month making sure the vinegar is always covering the herbs. Strain and then add a cup to your bath.
Rejuvenation Bath
Add this vinegar to your bath to boost circulation and silence hurting muscles
Ingredients:
½ cup crushed dried rosemary
½ cup crushed dried juniper berries
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
3 fresh or dried whole bay leaves
2 cups apple cider vinegar
Directions:
Put all ingredients in jar, store in a cool and dark place for a month making sure the vinegar is always covering the herbs. Strain and then add a cup to your bath.
Alive and Revive Bath
This is a great bath to renew your mind, spirit and body with after a long and draining day
Ingredients:
8 quarts water
1cup fresh whole juniper berries or 1 cup dried juniper berries
½ cup fresh rosemary or ½ cup dried rosemary
½ cup fresh calendula or ½ cup dried calendula
Directions:
Pour 8 quarts of water into large pot, bring to boil, add herbs and let infuse for an hour. Strain herbs out or pour directly into bath (just be ready to clean the tub if they join you in your soak). Another option is to wrap fresh/dried herbs in cheesecloth and throw in bath
Invigorating Bath
Another phenomenal bath to melt away tension
Ingredients:
8 quarts water
½ cup fresh rosemary or ½ cup dried rosemary
½ cup fresh peppermint or ½ cup dried peppermint leaves
½ cup fresh calendula or ½ cup dried calendula
¼ cup fresh juniper berries or ¼ cup dried juniper berries
Directions:
Make a tea with these ingredients and then pour into a much-needed bath!
Muscle Ease Bath Tea
Tried and sore muscles? Soak in a bath with this tea and watch your body bounce back
Ingredients:
8 quarts water
1 cup fresh rosemary or 1 cup dried rosemary
1 cup fresh mugwort or 1 cup dried mugwort
¼ cup fresh bay leaves or ¼ cup dried bay leaves
¼ cup freshly grated ginger
Directions:
Make a tea with ingredients then incorporate into bath.
Four Thieves Vinegar
The most famous and interesting story of healing coming out of the great Black Death plague was the story of the four thieves and their amazing concoction that came to be known as The Vinegar of the Four Thieves. History records that the four thieves were arrested for stealing from the homes of the many dead victims of the bubonic plague. One of the thieves was said to be an herbalist, whose herbal wine vinegar purportedly kept the four thieves alive all during the Black Death. These men also kept a vinegar soaked rag over their faces during the plague. Vinegar is used now as a germ killing bleach alternative. Remember to avoid touching our face during flu season as that is an entry point for viruses and bacteria. As their resistance to the disease became obvious, others started using their vinegar tincture—reportedly with great success.
Ingredients:
½ cup finely chopped lavender
½ cup finely chopped fresh rosemary
¼ cup finely chopped sage
¼ cup finely chopped thyme
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh peppermint
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon powdered black pepper
3 cup apple cider vinegar
Directions:
Add all ingredients into glass jar, store in a cool and dark place, shake one time a day, strain after two weeks, take an ounce to offset or prevent colds and flus.
Garden Vinegar
Give a splash of this to potatoes, cauliflower, or asparagus
Ingredients:
¼ cup finely chopped basil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
1 teaspoon grated fresh horseradish
1cup apple cider vinegar
Directions:
Add all ingredients into glass jar, store in a cool and dark place, shake one time a day, strain after two weeks, and then use as you like!
Drizzle Vinegar
This is a great vinegar to have on the table to smother bread in.
Ingredients:
¼ cup finely chopped thyme
¼ cup finely chopped chives
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
2 cups white wine vinegar
Directions:
Add all ingredients together and use for dipping
Rosemary Honey
After putting using this in your salad dressing try putting on your hair. This concoction will leave your hair looking like you just walked out of a salon
Ingredients:
1 cup Honey
¼ cup powdered honey
Directions
Wet hair, apply honey, wait an hour and then rinse.
Winter Colds Honey
When making Italian food that calls for sugar use this honey instead. Not only does this work great in lieu of sugar with the help of rosemary it will aid in fighting off potential colds.
Ingredients:
1cup honey
2 tablespoons powdered rosemary
2 tablespoons powdered garlic
1 tablespoon powdered thyme
1 teaspoon powdered sage
1 teaspoon powdered oregano
Directions.
Add everything together and put 1-2 tablespoons in red sauces.
Spiced Honey
This delightful honey packs a powerful punch. It aids in digestion, tonifies the nervous system, enlightens the spirit and boosts immunity.
Ingredients:
1cup honey
2 tablespoons powdered lavender
1 tablespoon powdered rosemary
1 tablespoon powdered fennel seed
½ teaspoon powdered cinnamon
½ teaspoon powdered nutmeg
Directions
Add all ingredients and use as marinade
Rosemary Salt
This versatile salt has many uses from enhancing food, to heightening baths to combining with olive oil and using as a body oil.
Ingredients:
¼ cup sea salt
¼ cup powdered rosemary
1teaspoon celery seed
Directions:
Combine and use
Garden Salt Substitute
There’s not much this salt does not taste good on!
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons powdered chives
2 tablespoons powdered parsley
2 teaspoons powdered rosemary
2 teaspoons powdered thyme
½ teaspoon powdered celery seed
Directions:
Add to a shaker and use to your delight
Antibacterial Sprinkle
A great seasoning for meats as well as a great seasoning for killing food borne pathogens potentially harmful bugs
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon powdered rosemary
1 tablespoon powdered thyme
1 teaspoon powdered fennel seed
Garden Meat Rub
This rub works wonders on most meats and also helps protect against harmful compounds that are produced when cooking/charring meat making this rub good on the tongue and body.
Ingredients:
¼ cup salt
3 tablespoons powdered rosemary
2 tablespoons powdered orange peel
2 tablespoons powdered thyme
1 tablespoon powdered sage
1 tablespoon powdered black pepper
1 teaspoon powdered horseradish
Directions:
Add all together and rub away.
Herbal Marinade Mixture
Another tasty treat to have fun adding to meats and vegetables
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon powdered basil
1 teaspoon powdered rosemary
1 teaspoon powdered thyme
1 teaspoon powdered garlic
1 teaspoon powdered black pepper
1 teaspoon powdered paprika
Directions:
Add all ingredients together and use at will.
Herbs de California
Wrap these herbs up into muslin pouches and add to soups, stews, grains, and the essential footbath!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons powdered rosemary
2 tablespoons powdered lavender
1 tablespoon powdered fennel seed
1 tablespoon powdered calendula
½ teaspoon powdered peppermint
Directions:
Add ingredients together and see how this herbal blend can benefit food and you!
Savory Seasoning
This seasoning work especially well with egg and potato dishes
Ingredients:
3 tablespoon powdered chives
2 tablespoons powdered parsley
1 tablespoon powdered rosemary
1 tablespoon powdered oregano
2 teaspoons powdered thyme
2 teaspoons powdered garlic
1 teaspoon powdered basil
1 teaspoon powdered lavender
1 teaspoon powdered bay leaf
1 teaspoon powdered black pepper
Directions:
Add all ingredients together and use as you see fit.
Rosemary-Thyme Oil
Use this oil as a marinade but also add to food when wanting some extra support to fight off and prevent colds and flus
Ingredients:
1 cup Olive Oil
2 tablespoons powdered rosemary
2 tablespoons powdered thyme
2 teaspoons vodka
Directions:
Add everything together and marinade away!
Savory Oil
This oil works well with root vegetables making them stand out on your dinner table.
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups olive oil
1 tablespoon powdered rosemary
1 tablespoon powdered parsley
1 teaspoon powdered chives
1 teaspoon powdered basil
1 teaspoon powdered oregano
1 teaspoon powdered lavender
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vodka
Directions:
Add everything together and oil up your veggies!
Seven Herbs Marinade Oil
4 cups Olive Oil
1/3 cup finely chopped rosemary
1/3 cup finely chopped bay leaf
1/3 cup finely chopped sage
1/3 cup finely chopped thyme
1/3 cup finely chopped oregano
1/3 cup finely chopped lavender
1/3 cup fresh peppermint
Directions:
Add all ingredients and use as you would any marinade.
Italian Ghee
Your red sauce will never be the same once you start adding this into it.
Ingredients:
1cup ghee
2 tablespoons powered basil
1 tablespoon powdered rosemary
1 tablespoon powdered sage
1 teaspoon powdered garlic
Directions:
Sauté the onions and garlic into the ghee and then add your red sauce. Voila!
Scarborough Fair Ghee
Add 1 teaspoon of this ghee to vegetables, rice, or cold grain salads to take the taste to the next level.
Ingredients:
2 cups ghee
¼ cup powdered parsley
1 tablespoon powdered rosemary
1 tablespoon powdered sage
1 tablespoon powdered thyme
Savory Ghee
There is no potato recipe that this ghee doesn’t blend well with.
Ingredients:
1cup ghee
¼ cup minced fresh basil
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons minced fresh sage
3 cloves minced garlic
Sunshine Cordial
This multifaceted cordial is great to splash in a summer tea, addition to marinades and sauces or drizzled on top of desserts or fresh berries.
Ingredients:
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
½ cup fresh nectarine slices
½ cup fresh peach slices
¼ cup finely chopped fresh lavender or 2½ tablespoons dried lavender
¼ cup finely chopped fresh rose petals or 2 ½ tablespoons dried rose petals
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh peppermint
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
4 cups rum, or enough to cover ingredients by 2 inches
Sweeten with maple syrup or honey to taste
Directions:
Put all ingredients into a glass container, store in a cold dark location, and shake once a day for 2 weeks, strain and then use.
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