ROSEMARY – HEALTH AND BEAUTY BENEFITS AND USES

Very often we might have used this dried culinary herb to season our pizza or a continental dish. But there’s more to this herb other than its seasoning value. It is usually found in three forms – fresh leaves, dried (as herbs) or powder. You can also find rosemary oil and essential oil, in the stores.

Here are the benefits of rosemary:

Beneficial to the skin: Rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties which can help soothe the skin, reduce swelling and puffiness. It can also help cure burns.

May help reduce blood sugar: Rosemary tea (recipe below) can help reduce blood sugar and maintain blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Helpful for memory: Rosemary is considered as a cognitive stimulant and can help boost alertness and memory. It can also help increase concentration and encourage focus.

Helpful for anxiety and stress: The aroma of rosemary can be helpful in relieving stress and anxiety, improves one’s mood and helps calm a person’s mind.

Helps hair growth: Rosemary oil (recipe below) can help stimulate the hair follicles and can also help prevent baldness (also known as androgenetic alopecia). READ MORE – SPEARMINT TEA for clear skin, improve memory, detox body and more..

Relief from pain: Rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties which acts like a pain reliever.

Boosts immune system functioning: Being rich in antioxidants, it can improve blood circulation and boost the functioning of the immune system.

Aids digestion: The oils in rosemary are supposed to be beneficial for digestive issues like gastric and bloating. It can also help reduce heartburn.

Recipe for rosemary hair rinse:

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of water
• 2 handfuls rosemary stalks
  (Stalks should be around 8 to 10 inches in length)

Method:

Pour the litre of water in the heating pan and place on high flame, add the stalks of rosemary in and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the water starts to change colour (light greenish). At this point, turn off the flame and let it sit for a few minutes and then transfer into a glass container by straining using a strainer or cloth (muslin cloth or even a handkerchief will do). The hair rinse is ready to be used.

• For the hair rinse: Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and condition thereafter. Transfer the rosemary hair rinse water into a spray bottle and then when your hair is still wet, spray the hair rinse water all over your hair, especially letting it get to the scalp and thereafter leave it to dry, without rinsing it off, as it can give your hair a lovely fragrance.
• Please Note: You may have additional rosemary hair rinse water remaining, which you can store in the fridge for later use, as the cold rinse can soothe the scalp.

Recipe for rosemary oil:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 handful rosemary stalks
  (Stalks should be around 3 to 4 inches in length)

Method: Pour the cup of oil in the heating pan and place on high flame, add the stalks of rosemary in and let it boil until the rosemary leaves and the oil start to change color (the oil turns a little darkish yellow/green and the leaves become blackish). At this point, turn off the flame and let it sit for a few minutes and then transfer into a glass container by straining using a strainer or cloth (muslin cloth or even a handkerchief will do). The oil is ready to be used in your salads or dressings.

Recipe for rosemary tea:

Ingredients:

• 1 glass of water
• 3 to 4 rosemary stalks
  (Stalks should be around 3 to 4 inches in length)
• Honey to taste

Method: In a vessel, boil one glass of water along with the rosemary leaves (rinse them under water before dropping them in) and let it boil for two minutes before you can turn off the flame. Then let it sit for another two minutes and then you can strain into a cup and add honey to taste, it is ready to be consumed. READ MORE – Deep Clean Your Scalp for faster hair growth