For versatility in herbs, look at growing rosemary
By PAM NASH Master Gardener

Rosemary is an easy herb to grow and has many uses in cooking and in curing remedies.

Because I sell herbs at the Farmers' Market, people will stop at our booth to chat and ask questions about herbs in general.

I often bring fresh sprigs of Rosemary, along with dried packages, and inevitably someone comments that they also have a Rosemary bush but don't use it for anything. Whoa!

Rosemary is a wonderful herb. It has culinary, medicinal, aromatic and cosmetic uses. It can be used as a potpourri ingredient, an insect repellant and it makes a green dye. Oh yes - it also makes a beautiful landscaping plant.

This shrub thrives in our climate being heat and cold tolerant. A Rosemary bush can live for more than 30 years and if left untrimmed, it can reach six feet in height and width.

It lends itself well to pruning which will improve the look and the health of the plant. Rosemary produces numerous small blue flowers from very early spring through fall.

Bees and butterflies love it. It is easily propagated with water rooted cuttings or by layering. It can be grown from seed, however, since the germination rate is 30 percent at best, buying plants or taking a cutting makes more sense.

There are 20-odd varieties of Rosemary and though they are all somewhat similar, some may have a bluer or grayer color to the leaves, some a stronger scent and flavor, some more cold tolerant, some are upright and some crawl along the ground.

But all Rosemary likes it hot and dry so make sure you plant your herb in a sunny location and a raised bed.

Rosemary has been around for many thousands of years. In Egypt, it was found in the wrappings of mummies.

As it is considered to be the herb of fidelity, it was traditionally carried in wedding bouquets as a reminder to the couple of their wedding vows. In ancient Greece students believed it improved the memory, and so they wore garlands of Rosemary around their necks, or braided Rosemary into their hair to improve their memory during exams.

In France, during the Middle Ages, it was combined with juniper and burned in bunches in hospitals to kill bacteria (modern research shows that it does have antibacterial properties).

And, according to legend, Sleeping Beauty was awakened not only by a kiss from Prince Charming, but also with a touch from a sprig of Rosemary.

Medicinally, Rosemary taken as a warm tea, is good for colds, flu, rheumatic pain, indigestion, and as a stimulating drink for headache and fatigue. It can be used as an antiseptic.

It is a rich source of vitamin A and vitamin C, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc and has antioxidant properties. A strong infusion makes an antiseptic mouthwash and gargle.

The essential oil can be used externally only as an ingredient in salves for arthritis and to soothe aching muscles. Do not use the pure oil internally.

Like all medicinal plants, be cautious when using it as a healing herb and check with your doctor before starting any regime.

Rosemary extracts are found in shampoos and rinses. Being protein in nature, hair readily absorbs the pure essential oils and it stimulates the scalp and promotes hair growth.

It helps with dandruff control and adds suppleness and shine to the hair. According to folklore,

to attract love, add a few drops of Rosemary tea to your shampoo or final rinse.

Use it as an herb or oil in the bath to revitalize and refresh. Rosemary essential oil adds a piney scent to soaps, creams, lotions, perfumes, and toilet water.

You can also treat yourself to a cleansing and pick-me-up facial steam with a strong herb infusion.

The flavor of Rosemary harmonizes with those of poultry, fish, lamb, beef, veal, pork, and game.

It also goes well with tomatoes, spinach, peas, mushrooms, squash, cheese, eggs, lentils, and complements chives, chervil, chives, thyme, parsley and bay. Rosemary adds character to mild soups, marinades, salad dressings and bouquets garni. Include fresh Rosemary in all your Italian sauces.

Stud roast pork generously with garlic and Rosemary sprigs by making a hole in the meat and pressing the garlic and Rosemary into it.

Try a herb butter by combining two teaspoons Rosemary to 1/2 cup butter.

Add it to fruit salad to enhance sweetness without adding sugar. Make a Rosemary jelly for roast meats and poultry.

One thing to remember is that Rosemary has a strong flavor - start with small amounts or it can overwhelm the dish you are creating.

Add a handful of sprigs to the coals before grilling for extra aromatics.

Or soak Rosemary stems in water for a few minutes and then thread your grilling vegetables onto them.

Tie a few stems together and use it to brush sauce on your meat and vegetables.

And, surprisingly Rosemary is great in cookies and cakes.

Combine Rosemary, lavender, tansy and lemongrass and place in a tulle or muslin sachet and hang in the closet with woolens as a moth repellent. Smells much better than moth balls!

Place Rosemary beneath your pillow to drive away nightmares. Hang sprigs of Rosemary on the porch to protect against thieves. You never know what works!

And, another favorite bit of folklore says that the Rosemary plant grows vigorously in the garden of a strong minded woman.

This is a wonderfully versatile plant - easy to grow, pretty, flowering, useful in multiple ways, and fragrant! Not much more you can ask for!