^{by Sharon Quercioli}

Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary is one of my favorite herbs and for good reason—it has an amazing taste, and the aroma is delightful. It is not surprising that the taste and aroma of rosemary, historically used for strengthening the memory, is unforgettable. I have several plants that I grow, and I love to break a piece off of my plant and rub it between my fingers and smell it. Oh, it smells so good. Its memorable flavor and unique health benefits make it an indispensable herb for every kitchen.

Rosemary has a wealth of health benefits from its ability to reduce inflammation, boost memory, relieve pain, improve mood, protect the immune system, stimulate circulation, detoxify the body, protect the body from bacterial infections, prevent premature aging and heal skin conditions. We will talk about that a little later in the article.

It’s also a wonderful flavor to add to soups, sauces, roasts, stews, sea food and stuffing. I especially love to add rosemary to my scrambled eggs. Yummy! It is particularly prevalent in Italian cultural cuisine. But aside from its wonderful scent and flavor, rosemary offers a wealth of health benefits.

Health Benefits of Rosemary

Memory Booster: Sniffing (yes, sniffing) rosemary oil improves the activity of the nervous system. It helps to improve memory and to increase intelligence and focus. Rosemary has been linked to stimulating cognitive activity in the elderly, as well as those suffering from more acute cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. What a great alternative or supplement to more modern treatment for these yet uncured conditions.

Anti-Inflammatory Qualities: One of the most important functions of rosemary is as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body. Carnosol and Carnosic acid are two powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds found in rosemary that have been linked to reducing inflammation of muscles, joints and blood vessels. This makes it an effective treatment for many things, including blood pressure, gout, arthritis, and injuries sustained during physical exertion or surgery. It is effective in oral or topical form for these anti-inflammatory effects.

Pain Relief: One of the most popular uses of rosemary is for the treatment of migraines. Applying a few drops of rosemary oil (I only use Young Living oils) to the temples, or simply smelling the aroma of rosemary has been linked to reducing the severity of migraine symptoms.

Mood and Stress Relief: The aroma of rosemary has been linked to improving mood, relieving stress in those with chronic anxiety or stress hormone imbalances and clearing the mind.

Boost your Immune System: Rosemary is a powerful antioxidant that combats free radical damage to cells. The active components in rosemary are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic in nature. The compounds rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, betulic acid, and carnosol help build immune health. These four compounds act as a secondary line of defense and boost immunity. They also show strong anti-inflammatory effect.

Antibacterial Potential: Rosemary is especifically powerful against bacterial infections, particularly those in the stomach. H. pylori bacteria is a common and very dangerous pathogen that can cause stomach ulcers, but rosemary has been shown to prevent its growth when consumed. It also helps to prevent Staph infections.

Rosemary Helps You Breathe Easier: Rosemary’s chief compound, rosmarinic acid, improves airway and lung passage. In a study on mice, rosemary reduced the inflammatory cells and over secretion of mucus. The study findings showed that it was useful in asthma treatment.

Breath Freshener: Steep rosemary leaves in a glass of hot water and then gargle or swish the water in your mouth to eliminate bacteria and give you naturally fresh and clean breath. It is a wonderful breath freshener and improves your oral health.

Stomach Soother: Rosemary has traditionally been used by dozens of cultures as a natural remedy for upset stomachs, constipation, diarrhea and bloating. Its anti-inflammatory effects are largely the cause of these effects, so adding it to your weekly diet can quickly help you regulate your bowel movements and your gastrointestinal system.

Detoxify the Body: Rosemary is slightly diuretic in nature, which means it can help flush out toxins more efficiently during urination. In terms of the organ it benefits, it has been linked to lower levels of cirrhosis and a faster healing time of the liver, which is one of the slowest organs to heal.

How to Enjoy

A Few Quick Serving Ideas

• Add fresh rosemary to omelets and frittatas.
• Rosemary is a wonderful herb for seasoning chicken and lamb dishes.
• Add rosemary to tomato sauces and soups.
• Even better than butter—purée fresh rosemary leaves with olive oil and use as a dipping sauce for bread. (see recipe below)

Here are a few of my favorite recipes:

Grilled Rosemary Chicken Breasts

This quick and easy dish has exceptional flavor. The rosemary plays perfectly with strong garlic flavor and a hint of lemon for bright fresh flavor. This is a fabulous summer dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate. Whisk garlic, rosemary, olive oil, mustard, ground black pepper, lemon juice and salt together in a bowl. Place chicken breasts in a resealable bowl. Pour garlic mixture over chicken, saving 1/8 cup. Seal bowl and massage marinade into chicken. Let marinate for 30 minutes to one hour in refrigerator. Place chicken on preheated grill and cook for 4 minutes. Turn the chicken, baste with reserved marinade, and continue to grill until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Cover with foil and let rest for at least 2 minutes before serving.

Another recipe to enjoy:

Rosemary Dipping Oil with Baguette Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette loaf, sliced in pieces for dipping into the Rosemary Dipping Oil
• ¼ c of virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic crushed
• 2 T balsamic vinegar
• 1 T chopped fresh rosemary (Puree your rosemary with olive oil)
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:

Mix your puree of olive oil and rosemary with garlic, and balsamic vinegar. I also like to add a pinch of ground red pepper for added spice.

You can use your sliced bread or you can grill your baguette loaf on the grill.

Cut the grilled bread into 2? thick slices, serve with the rosemary dipping oil. It is so yummy!

These are two of my tasty rosemary recipes. Enjoy!