A message from Rosemary.

Across the porch, she stares me down. Every time I wander out, to sit and take in the evening, chat with friends and neighbors on the swinging bench that sits outside my front door, there she is…flirting shamelessly with me. “Let’s get to know each other better” she taunts at me. After a little over a month of this behavior, I give in. Rosemary, I hear you and I do find you intriguing. Let’s see if the chemistry can become something good for me.

Rosemary possesses at least 24 antioxidants (compounds that consume free radicals) one of which is very powerful -romarinic acid. It also contains at least six compounds that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine plays a crucial role in the transmission of impulses from one nerve fiber to another across synaptic junctions, making it potentially useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It can be most useful in this respect in combination with other Acetylcholine promoting or containing herbs such as nettles and Royal Jelly.

Rosemary is historically known as ‘the herb of remembrance’ suggesting its anti-senility and memory-enhancing activity. I have been spending my time in a brain aging time warp (aka naturopathic medical school), therefore I have decided to start brewing up a tincture batch, it should be ready to ingest just in time for finals week!

Rosemary has a variety of properties. It is antispasmodic, a cholagogue, an emmenagogue, a stimulant, a stomachic. The stimulant action of rosemary helps promote liver function, the production of bile, and proper digestion. Use her with wild abandon in cooking meals that might be heavy or complex, she could aid in your ability to better digest the food.

Rosemary has a general tonic effect on the circulation and the nervous system, especially the vascular nerves. It is especially useful in treatment of circulatory weakness, including hypotension. Rosemary should also be considered for older people with a weak circulation or due to overwork or weakening diseases such as influenza or pneumonia. Those who have just been taken down to the mat by the swine flu might consider including more rosemary in their gravy or bone broths to get back into shape.



CAUTION: excessive amounts of rosemary taken internally can cause fatal poisoning.
Reference:
[the complete botanical prescriber 3rd edition John A. Sherman, ND.]
[ herbal vade mecum, gazmend skenderi]
Castleman M. The Healing Herbs. New York: Bantam Books, 1991, 452–56.
Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Foods, Drugs ,and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 446–48