Guest guest Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance." Shakespeare's Hamlet to Ophelia Description Rosemary is an attractive evergreen shrub with pine needle-like leaves. It's trusses of blue flowers last through spring and summer in a warm, humid environment. It will grow to a height of between 3 and 5 feet. Cultivation Propagate from cuttings of the twisted wood of non-flowering branches in early summer, or layer established branches. Rosemary can also be grown from seed. Choose a sheltered position and well-drained soil, and allow the plant lots of sun. The thick shrub tolerates clipping so that the size can be kept in check. In hot weather it will appreciate a good hosing down. In a warm climate it can remain in the same location for up to 30 years, but in climates where freezing temperatures are expected it is best grown in pots so that it can be brought indoors in winter. Rosemary for Remembrance Scientists at the University of Cincinnati say that the scent of rosemary is an effective memory stimulant. This might make a nice potted plant for your desk at work, or where the kids do their homework! Harvesting The leaves can be harvested any time. Harvest no more than you can use fresh, as they loose most of their flavor when dried. Rosemary Remembrance Wreaths Form heavy gage wire into the shape of a heart by twisting it into a circle about 8 inches in diameter, then pinching at the base and the top to form a heart. Bind slender sprays of rosemary to the heart-shaped frame with florists' wire. Decorate the rosemary heart with dried flowers and herbs, as shown. Rosebuds, also a symbol or remembrance, add a nice touch. Medicinal Uses Cancer Prevention 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. BEWARE Pregnant women should not use the herb medicinally, although it's okay to use it as a seasoning. Other Medicinal Properties 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. Cosmetic Uses 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. Suzi What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. health/ http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/ Photos Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Sizi I'd like to say "thank you" too for all the great articles you send in to the list. I learn a lot from them. You and Don and so many others on this list are such a treasure trove of information. Thanks!! Lynn ----- Original Message ----- From: Suzanne health Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 7:39 PM Subject: Rosemary Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance." Shakespeare's Hamlet to Ophelia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Thanks Lynn and .. I just like to pop things in to keep you all thinking.. SuziPearlmoon <pearlmoon@...> wrote: Sizi I'd like to say "thank you" too for all the great articles you send in to the list. I learn a lot from them. You and Don and so many others on this list are such a treasure trove of information. Thanks!! Suzi What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. health/ http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/ DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 It means IN VERY LARGE DOSES... I doubt if anyone here takes enough to even remotely worry abou this,, but on the side of precaution... like everything else... moderation... but Toni, I don't think you have to worry.. I don't know anyone that eats/drinks enough rosemary to get to this point (but there is always someone out there somewhere...who will try this...) SuziTone <tone102@...> wrote: Morning All, Hope this day finds you well. Suzi, thanks for always passing out such wonderful info. I didn't know that too much Rosemary could be poisonous. Would that be taking it in a tea form or does that include cooking. When I was in cosmotology school at the age of 30, I had problems with acne and was told by a cosmotologist to use Rosemary on my skin. Green tea is another good use for skin problems. And thankyou for the advice on my friend's dog though he isn't speaking to me right now as I guess I should have not directly pasted what you said as it had the words of prayer and God. Oh well, that is one area I never walk on eggshells with and hold dear to my heart. Your story was very touching too. It actually made me feel better about that baby Starling I had in May that I lost as I was sobbing uncontrollably with her labored breathing in my hands and all of a sudden she looked up at me like she was well and then went to sleep. I spent two days in a terrible depression over that beautiful little thing. I get so attached! Sometimes I wish my heart would be a little bit harder but then again, I guess I wouldn't be me... no comments hehe Anyway, wishing you and everyone a very beautiful day toni Suzi What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. health/ http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/ Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Messenger with Voice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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