Rosemary (Rosmariunus officinalis)

ROSEMARY’S NO BABY

Did you know … rosemary is associated with longevity? Not so surprising, as some plants have been known to survive in the same location for as long as thirty years!

What’s the Story?

Rosemary is a herb that has leaves resembling evergreen needles and belongs to the mint family. There are many varieties of rosemary that are available for both culinary and ornamental use but the popular cultivars for cooking are “Tuscan Blue”, “Miss Jessup” and “Spice Island”. The name “rosemary” is derived from the Latin name rosmarinus which means “dew of the sea”—rosemary commonly grows near the sea. Besides being used as a herb in flavourful dishes, rosemary is also used in cosmetics, disinfectants, shampoos, herbal medicine and as a potpourri. The oil of rosemary is formed either from distilled flowering tops or from the stems and leaves. About 100 pounds of flowering tops yields about eight fluid ounces of oil.

A Serving of Food Lore …

Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean area. Many cultures view rosemary as a symbol of love and fidelity. Brides have often worn a wreath of rosemary during their wedding ceremony. Guests attending the service would also receive a branch of rosemary as a symbol of love and loyalty. Rosemary is also used in funerals and other religious ceremonies as incense.

Where Is Rosemary Grown?

France, Spain and the United States, specifically California, are the main growers of rosemary.

Why Should I Eat Rosemary?

A large number of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant activity have been identified in rosemary that inhibit oxidation and bacterial growth.

Home Remedies

Rosemary tea is often used to ease headaches. In olden days, sprigs of rosemary were used to ward off “evil spirits” and nightmares. It was said that a sprig placed beneath the pillow would produce restful sleep. In Spain and Italy, many believed that the Virgin Mary had hidden in a rosemary bush for shelter. The scent of rosemary is supposed to be a memory-stimulant. In some countries, it is a custom to burn rosemary alongside the bed of sick patients and in some French hospitals, rosemary was burned with juniper berries to purify the air and prevent infection. Rosemary is often used to deter moths from invading clothing.

Throw Me a Lifesaver!

CANCER: Rosemary extract had a protective effect on human blood exposed to gamma rays (radiation). Rosemary also showed strong antimutagenic effects which may help prevent certain types of cancer. Albino mice were fed an extract of rosemary for fifteen weeks. The number and size of papillomas were reduced in the treated animals. Carnosic acid, the main polyphenol antioxidant in rosemary, combined with vitamin D, enhanced cell differentiation and reduced human leukaemia cancer cell spread in a cell line study. Similar results were achieved in mice.

PREVENTION OF BACTERIAL GROWTH: Rosemary oil was found to be highly effective against E. coli bacteria and may prevent the formation of certain types of bacterial growth in foods.

LUNG PROTECTION: Mice who were pretreated with an extract of rosemary prior to being exposed to diesel exhaust fumes had significantly less lung inflammation than those mice who were not pretreated.

Tips on Using Rosemary

SELECTION AND STORAGE:

• Rosemary is available in dried, oil or fresh forms. Fresh is preferable because it loses most of its flavour when it is dried.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Fresh and dried leaves are commonly used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine as a flavour-enhancing herb.

• Rosemary is used to season poultry, lamb, fish, rice dishes, soups and vegetables.

• The herb is often used to flavour wine and ales.

Rosemary-Garlic and Artichoke-Bean Spread

by Dave Grotto

Servings: 8 • Prep time: 20 minutes

This recipe contains nine powerhouse foods.

INGREDIENTS:

4oz/110g artichoke hearts

3oz/75g navy or any white bean

3oz/75g onions, chopped

1floz/30ml extra-virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary sprigs, chopped

1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce

2oz/50g sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend for approximately 30 seconds or until well-blended. Add cayenne pepper for a spicy version. Serve on celery sticks, with whole-grain crackers, or as a sandwich spread.

BREAK IT DOWN …

Calories: 90; Total fat: 4g; Saturated fat: .5g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 290mg; Total carbs: 11g; Fibre: 2g; Sugar: 2g; Protein: 4g.