Rosemary, April HOtM

Rosemary and Other NewsSpring seems to be finally HERE. WAHOOO. I’ve been busy this month, moving and prepping the gardens, getting the seeds going in the green house and harvesting a few different flowering beauties. I also set up a few shelves of herbal things at Denise Thompson’s office Centered, in West Knoxville. Denise is a talented massage therapist, reiki practitioner and beautiful soul sister, go check her out if you can.

I have openings for a few new clients in May. I WON'T be taking new clients after May 25th until late August but will continue all other aspects of business because on the home front, our son is about to graduate from HS and has finally made his college choice and my daughter is getting ready to finish up MS and head to West High in the Fall. New cases and clients take much time and I intend to enjoy the last few months  before Brose leaves the family unit as much as I can. All of life is moving through seasons even while we try and find our footing. 
So here are the notes I have complied on Rosemary, our herb of the month. Be sure to try the BBQ Spice Rub recipe or reach out if you want to purchase it, if you aren’t a DIYer. It’s so versatile and just in time for grilling season. In May, we will focus on Chaga mushroom. Lots of great info to share. 
Awwww, Rosemary is one of my favorite go to herbs. I have 2 massive bushes and 2 more standard size plants currently. Who knows how many I’ll add this year? I love it as a cooking herb, a tea ingredient and it’s a first try for headaches, stomach distress especially food poisoning, and for a lovely tired muscle soak. Try it with a little sage and peppermint for a throat gargle. If you have dark hair, there is no better herb to rinse your hair with than Rosemary. There are so many uses that I can’t list them all but here’s a great overview. 
Rosemary is high in vitamins A and B6, vitamin B6, thiamin, and folate. It contains minerals like magnesium, calcium and iron It has abundant antioxidants in the form of phenolic compounds like diterpene, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. The essential  oils in rosemary herb also contain powerful ingredients such as cineol, camphene, borneol, bornyl acetate, α-terpineol, and α-pinene.
Aside from the nutrients mentioned above, the herb contains high dietary fiber. It is low in cholesterol and sodium but high in saturated fats.
Maintains Gut Health
Rosemary has traditionally been used as a natural  remedy for upset stomach, constipation gas, bloating as it helps in relaxing the muscles of the intestine. Adding it to your diet can help you regulate your bowel movements and your gastrointestinal system.
One study showed that in test subjects with colitis treatment with rosemary extract was effective to reduce colon tissue lesions and colitis.  This helps fight gut diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and colitis.
Rosemary has long been used to help with the effects of food poisoning, making healing a quicker and more painless process. 
Rosemary herbal extracts exert anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic effects so it promotes a healthy weight or weight loss. 
According to another study, carnosic acid-rich rosemary can be used as a preventive treatment for metabolic disorders such as PCOS and/or diabetes. 
Antibacterial & Antimicrobial
Rosemary is specifically powerful against  bacterial infections. It prevents staph infections and also eradicates various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria completely.
Due to its antibacterial qualities, rosemary intake has been shown to prevent the growth of H. pylori bacteria, a dangerous pathogen that is associated with gastritis, stomach ulcers, and some cancers.
Boosts Immunity
The active components  in rosemary are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic in nature. This represents a three-pronged attack against many different diseases and pathogens that could threaten the immune system or damage the integrity of the body.
Rosemary contains a significant amount of antioxidants including rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, betulin acid, and carnosol. Antioxidants in rosemary make a secondary line of defense behind the body’s own immune system.
Anti-inflammatory
Carnosol and carnosic acids are two powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds found in rosemary that have been linked to reducing inflammation of muscles, blood vessels, and joints. This makes it an effective treatment and prevention of many diseases, including blood pressure, gout,  arthritis, and injuries sustained during physical exertion or surgery. It is effective in oral or topical form.
Enhances Brain Function
Rosemary has an affinity for the head and study after study has shown that it helps improve memory performance and quality. It is also known to boost alertness, intelligence, and focus. One possible mechanism for this action is that rosemary extract enhances the synthesis of nerve growth factor which is vital for nerve tissue.
Depression and anxiety are related to gut health and the fact that Rosemary works well on maintaining good gut health and it’s relationship to the head makes it a wonderful mild anti depressant. 
A study conducted on the anti-depressant effects of rosemary concluded that the herb is effective in improving symptoms of depression. These anti-depressant effects were observed even with repeated administration two weeks later. Furthermore, it may also reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, which helps ease tension in the body.
Rosemary is slightly diuretic in nature, meaning that it can help flush out toxins efficiently during urination. It also breaks up congestion and phlegm, this combined with it’s diuretic qualities makes it a great herb for pitted edema or to help with congestive heart failure. 
Rosemary can be added to teas, tinctures and foods. It goes well with fatty foods like meats, butters, oils or high carb foods like white or sweet potatoes, dark chocolate or even vanilla. Rosemary isn’t like thyme, which blends with flavors, Rosemary demands more attention so it needs to have flavors that blend with it. We love it in soups, roasted veggies, enhanced cooking oils or butters plant based or dairy. A little rosemary goes a long way because it is one of the most resinous herbs. It’s also hearty and you can throw it in the soup pot at the beginning and it doesn’t alter the flavor in the end unlike more delicate herbs like parsley. Many people like to strip the leaves and use the left over stems as skewers for mushrooms or shrimp as it imparts a milder flavor this way. 
In tea blends, I like to put it with either other bold flavors like mint, cinnamon or tulsi or really mild ones like orange or lemon balm. 
#herbtipthursday 
Rosemary acts as a stimulant for the body and boosts the production of red blood cells and blood flow.
Rosemary can be  topically applied to the affected area to soothe the pain and works to unknot tired muscles. It can be taken internally or externally to help with headaches, migraines, menstrual and stomach cramps, as well as kidney pain.
Cineole in rosemary oil, taken either orally or via inhalation, boosts body activities by enhancing locomotion, according to a study.
Rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid found in Rosemary help to preserve food by destroying toxins and pathogens 
Never harvest more than 1/3 of your Rosemary to avoid sending her into shock. 
Rosemary HATES wet roots. I always put sand and gravel where I plant her in full or even harsh sunlight. 
Popular “myth” about Rosemary is that she will only grow and thrive where a strong woman lives. 
Dried Rosemary Bundles make a great cleansing wand and it repels insects. 
Rosemary BBQ Spice Rub
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Smoked Paprika
2 TBSP Celery Salt 
2 TBSP Onion Powder 
1 1/2 TBSP Chili Powder 
1 12/ TBSP Ground Cumin
2 TBSP Freshly Ground White Pepper
1 TBSP Pink Himalayan Sea Salt 
1 tsp ground Sage
1 TBSP Rosemary
1/2 tsp Thyme 
1 tsp Garlic powder