ROSEMARY

Culinary & Kitchen Uses + Medicinal Plant Benefits 

ROSEMARY
♣ rosemary is a pungent, bitter, warming, drying, aromatic herb
♣ leaves are fragrant, pungent, complex, bitter, piney-peppery, camphor-lemony
✲ flowers are white > blue with a delicate pine floral note – use fresh as a garnish
♣ fresh is best; you can dry it, but you lose a lot of the essential oils and flavour qualities
♣ one of life’s great kitchen joys is chopping fresh rosemary, always by hand; it is refreshing and stimulating 

FOOD FLAVOUR PAIRINGS
Herbs: parsley, chives, thyme, oregano, marjoram, savory, sorrel, hibiscus, lavender, lovage
Spices: pepper, mustard, turmeric, ginger, chilli, horseradish, wattle seed, saffron, 
Vegetables: potatoes, yams, pumpkin, squash, root vegetables in general, alliums, peas, mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini, capers, tomatoes, peppers, olives, rocket, leafy greens, rhubarb, radicchio, beetroot
Fruits:  orange, pineapple, apricot, lemon, cranberry, blackberries, grapes, rosehip, pears, dates
Nuts & Seeds: almond, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews, chestnuts, sunflower, hemp, pine nuts
Beans & Grains:  white beans, chickpeas, corn-polenta, rice, rye, wheat – bread
Non-Dairy: nutritional yeast, tahini, tofu, tempeh, 
Dairy: butter, ghee, soft + hard cheeses, cream, sour cream, labneh, parmesan
Animal: oily fish, squid, octopus, smoked fish, chicken, rabbit, pork, beef, lamb 

CREATE
Chop finely by hand
Mix in marinades, sprinkle atop fruits, bake in biscuits, soups, grains, pasta dishes; beautiful flavour with benefits
Blend fresh to infuse salt, herbal butter, olive oil
Infuse & ferment in pickled vegetables, in sauerkraut, mustards,
Steep, soak, extract; rosemary honey, olive oil, herbal teas, vinegar, tinctures, spiced wine tonics
Shake or blend into aperitifs or digestif cocktails for digestive benefits
Beauty products like hair rinses, creams and soaps
Clean use in cleaning products due to antibacterial, antiseptic, antimicrobial properties 

STORE
Fresh rosemary unwashed wrapped in cotton or paper towel or a sealed container in the fridge
Bouquet of fresh rosemary makes a great edible arrangement, store in water vase refreshing water regularly
Freeze’s OK hand chop then blend with olive oil put in ice cubes trays use stirred into soups, stews, marinades
Infuse fresh in honey, salt, butter, ghee, vinegar, alcohol
Dry in a paper bag or drying rack away from direct sunlight in an airy place. Store dried herbs in sealed glass jars in a dark cupboard.

MEDICINAL
♦ rosemary is a nutritive tonic for the nervous system and can help lower stress hormones
♦ rosemary is a premier for mental focus, alertness, memory, concentration, blood flow to the brain
♦ aids digestion stimulates digestive enzymes, relieves gas, bloating, indigestion,
♦ relieves colds/flu symptoms, headaches, congestion; Rosemary is warming and stimulating 
♦ supports liver health, detoxification and helps balance blood sugar
♦ supports the cardiovascular system and can improve circulation 
♦ anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic for muscle cramps, antimicrobial, antifungal
♦ antioxidant, antibacterial qualities and flavours make it excellent for cooking with meats, 
♦ essential oil, middle note; use in a diffuser when studying – mine is going as I type this!!  I use rosemary essential oil in my liver tonic formula, adrenal support formula, cold/flu formula, spray away travel formula.