Rosemary
The Radiant Plant
By Cynthia Johnston - Herbalist & Owner of MoonMaid Botanicals

Rosemarinus officinalis……a gorgeous evergreen like herb is popular with estheticians as well as with chefs, herbalists, and gardeners.  

This beautiful and aromatic plant blooms pink and blue in early spring.  I first came to know Rosemary as a student in Santa Barbara at the community college.  Rosemary was used prolifically in the landscape design.  As I made my way around campus I was refreshed each time I passed these large shrubby fragrant plants.  Rosemary can reach a span of 5 feet in width and 4 – 5 feet high. Cut Rosemary will fill a room with its pine like scent.

Most of us know Rosemary as a seasoning in bread or pasta sauce.  Other ways to use Rosemary are as a tonic for the skin, in a shampoo for hair or as a gum strengthener in toothpaste.  As Rosemary is extremely astringent it is an excellent choice for oily hair with the added benefit of stimulating hair growth.  You can find this essential oil in many natural shampoo products or add the essential oil to any shampoo base.  Rosemary is common in natural toothpastes as the astringent nature of this plant help to strengthen and tighten weak gums and teeth.

A wonderful formula for the skin is as a toner called Queen of Hungary’s Water. 

• Place 1 part each of dried Rosemary, roses, sage, chamomile, and lavender into a jar quart mason jar.  Use a good handful of each herb. 

• Cover the herbs with vinegar.  Allow to sit in a warm place for a month.  Strain the vinegar from the herbs. 

• Add 2/3 to 1 cup of rosewater or rosemary hydrosol to each cup of your herbal vinegar. 

• Apply to the face after washing and removing makeup. This gentle toner will give your skin a radiant glow.

Herbalists use Rosemary as a tonic to the nervous system and as a stimulant to the brain. Blended in a tea or tincture with ginko and gotu kola it can be a memory aid.  It can be useful for relieving respiratory congestion and assist in maintaining liver function.  The scent of Rosemary essential oil is invigorating and an excellent choice for sluggishness, fatigue and stress in general. Rosemary makes a wonderful “smoke free” incense by simply adding 10 drops of rosemary essential oil to a tablespoon of olive oil.  Place a bit of this oil near the wick of burning candle or some other type of aromatherapy tool.  The scent will strengthen your brain, gladden your heart and inspire creativity. As noted by Shakespeare, Rosemary was the herb of choice for lovers who used it to inspire “remembrance.” 

The flower essence brings clarity to a person’s state of mind.  A unique way of using herbs, flower essences work on one’s emotional state.  The vibrant nature of the Rosemary plant suggests this essence will stimulate abundant creativity, strength and zest in life by heightening the sensitivity of the body at a physical and cellular level.

Remember, this article is for informational purposes only.  These are suggestions.  Check with your family practitioner, doctor or a qualified herbalist when using herbs for health and beauty purposes.