The aromatic herb rosemary, originally from the Mediterranean, has been used in Rus' since the sixteenth century. Moreover, it was used not so much in cooking as for the treatment of many diseases. Rosemary oil was used to improve memory, stimulate mental activity, improve blood circulation and get rid of congestion in the veins (blood clots), and was also used as a component in cosmetic masks that prolong youth.
Over time, the antiseptic, analgesic and bactericidal effect of rosemary, its choleretic and tonic properties have been proven.
Rosemary improves the functioning of all body systems, stimulates digestion, accelerates metabolic processes and removes toxins. Thanks to this, regular use of rosemary cleanses the skin and improves the condition of hair and nails. But hypertensive patients and pregnant women should use rosemary with caution, as it can increase blood pressure and has a tonic effect.
In addition to possessing a number of valuable properties, rosemary is characterized by a wonderful spicy taste and divine aroma, which can transform any dish and is successfully used for this purpose in cooking.
Rosemary seasoning - use in cooking
Rosemary can be used as a seasoning both fresh and dried, and we will tell you where, in what dishes it can be added and how much.
- Aromatic leaves with pine notes and hints of camphor are often added to marinades to neutralize the specific odor when cooking game, rabbit, lamb, pork, poultry and to give the meat a pleasant taste. A pinch of dried rosemary leaves significantly changes the palette of aromas and tastes for the better.
- The preservative properties of rosemary will be appropriate when pickling mushrooms and vegetables, as well as when sauerkraut or other similar preparations. Here it is better to use fresh sprigs of seasoning, adding it whole to the vessel or tearing off the needles from it, depending on the volume of the workpiece.
- Rosemary is often used to flavor smoke when grilling meats or vegetables. It is thrown directly onto the coals or twigs are wrapped around slices of meat or poultry. There is an opinion that rosemary somehow miraculously neutralizes the harmful effects of carcinogens.
- You can use rosemary when preparing absolutely any meat dishes. It is added not only when cooking, stewing, baking and when combining the product with vegetables, mushrooms and other ingredients.
- Rosemary goes well with other spices besides bay leaf. It can replace bay leaf, but you cannot use the seasoning together with it, since the taste of both changes not for the better, which significantly spoils the result when preparing the dish. Rosemary can be found in Provencal or Italian herbs, as well as in a spice called bouquet garni.
- You should also not add too much rosemary to your food or more than other spices. Its taste and aroma are quite rich and can overwhelm all other seasonings and make the dish cloying.
- In addition to meat dishes, rosemary goes well with mushrooms and eggs, with cheese and vegetables, with pizza and pasta. It can be added to a stew or salad, sauce or soup, thereby significantly improving the taste of the dish.
- Rosemary is also effectively used to flavor alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and even wine, filling an existing bouquet with additional shades.
- Very often, the seasoning is used to infuse oil or vinegar and obtain a fragrant base for
Every housewife buys one or another, which she uses for preparing various dishes, preserving, pickling or salting. Many of the herbs that make up such seasonings are used individually, and not only for culinary purposes. Today we will tell you about rosemary, discuss its use in, and. We'll tell you how to prepare raw materials and store them correctly.
What does rosemary look like and where does it grow?
Let's start with the places of growth and botanical description of the plant. Rosemary is a subshrub that grows from half a meter to 2 meters in height. The plant belongs to the Lamiaceae family. The plant has a large number of shoots, which is why a spreading aerial part is formed.
The leaves are colored green, the reverse side of the leaf has a light green color. The leaf blades are linear, thick, slightly curled at the edges. The flower stalks are shaped like cockerel flowers, and the color is slightly lighter than that of lavender. The fruit of the plant is a nut, which is colored brownish.
Did you know? The name of the plant comes from the Latin words “ros marinus”, which means “sea dew”. This is because rosemary often grows near the seashore.
As for distribution: it can be found in South Africa, in and on. In Europe, the shrub is found in Greece and Spain. Rosemary does not grow wild in the Russian Federation. It is worth noting that rosemary has been cultivated in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea since the beginning of the 19th century. 
Chemical composition
Let's start with nutritional value and calorie content. 100 g of plant contains 15 g of fat, almost 5 g of protein and 64 g of carbohydrates. Calorie content is 331 kcal. The plant contains 42.5 g of dietary fiber.
Half of the fats included in the composition are saturated. Let us remind you that saturated fats in large quantities are harmful to you, as they can clog arteries. The leaves and shoots contain , the mass fraction of which is 0.3-1.2%.
What are the benefits of rosemary?
The plant has antibacterial properties; it is capable of fighting both fungi and viruses. It is for this reason that it is sprinkled with chopped rosemary to extend its shelf life. 
The plant is also effective against staphylococcus and E. coli, so it can be used for stomach upsets or intestinal flu to normalize the general condition. You can use antibacterial properties to clean the room from various harmful microorganisms.
When consumed orally, rosemary increases the production of gastric juice, which has a positive effect on the digestion of large amounts of food or foods that are saturated with fat.
Herbal infusions and decoctions are used to treat the upper respiratory tract. You can rinse your throat with medications to destroy pathogens, as well as do. 
To reduce muscles, rosemary is used in the form of an infusion. The medicine also helps to cope with rheumatism and joint pain that occurs due to sudden changes in weather.
The following properties of the plant can be highlighted separately:
- choleretic;
- tonic;
- invigorating;
- anti-inflammatory.
Application in various fields
Having understood what rosemary is, let's talk about what it is used for. Let's consider not only the use in cooking, but also in medicine, as well as cosmetology.
In cooking
Rosemary is used in both European and Asian cultures, so the plant can be found in most dishes to which meat or meat products are added. But, at the same time, you can use grass as a seasoning everywhere, so everything is limited only by your imagination. 
Since the plant has a fairly strong odor, it is not used in large quantities. You can find rosemary in seasonings like mixtures “Italian Herbs”, “Provencal Herbs”, as well as in some compositions that are intended for marinating meat or frying.
The herb is used for marinating meat before putting it in the oven, for preparing soups, sauces, meat cutlets, and legume dishes.
Separately, it is worth mentioning that rosemary goes well with, and it can be added to both strong alcoholic drinks (whisky, absinthe), and to wine, or various liqueurs.
What rosemary does not go well with is bay leaves. The problem is that spices have a similar taste and can also be bitter.
Important!Rosemary is added only at the end of cooking, otherwise it will cause bitterness.
The plant has a strong flavor, which can overpower the notes of other herbs you add to your dish. A large amount of rosemary can even drown out the taste of meat, so in prefabricated seasonings the percentage of the plant in question is extremely small. 
In medicine
Next, we will discuss the use of rosemary in. Essential oil. Used for inhalation for respiratory diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Also used as a stimulant of the immune system, helping to improve protective functions.
Rosemary oil helps to cope if they are caused by mental or emotional overload. Simply rub it into your forehead or temples.
Infusions. Used in cases of spontaneous deterioration that is not caused by any reason. Used to treat inflamed joints. Also used in combination with other herbs for weight loss. Infusions help cure diseases caused by plant-sensitive microorganisms.Extracts. Preparations containing rosemary are used to treat liver failure, colic, and various spasms. Ointments and lotions based on the plant help cope with skin diseases and also heal wounds. 
In cosmetology
Let's talk about how to use rosemary in cosmetology and what cosmetic products add its oils. For dry or . Plant oil is included in face and head masks. This widespread use is due to the fact that the product normalizes the functioning of the sweat glands, and therefore helps solve the problem of both dry and oily skin.
At the same time, the oil has a positive effect on any skin, regardless of where it is located. That is, if you have an oily scalp, but at the same time dry skin, you can use oil for both your head and hands.
With poor blood circulation. Rosemary stimulates blood circulation, which has a positive effect not only on the nutrition of the limbs, but also on. The fact is that if you rub oil into the roots, then, after improving blood circulation, the bulbs will receive more nutrients, which will improve the condition of the keratin surfaces.
To get rid of external and internal acne. The oil helps cleanse pores, so it can be used both in removing toners and in creams that are designed to reduce inflammation and free clogged pores from dirt. 
From wrinkles. The plant is included in anti-aging creams that help cope with and also improve the structure. Such products do not just “tighten” the skin, but stimulate cell regeneration, which leads to rejuvenation of the skin from the inside.
As you can see, rosemary has a huge number of beneficial properties for cosmetology, so it can be used everywhere. Considering the low cost of raw materials, herbal cosmetics are affordable.
Recipes for medicinal use
We'll tell you a few recipes that will help you cope with various ailments at home.
Decoction
A useful decoction that will help cope with pain in the stomach, neuroses and stomach colic. Take 2 tbsp. l. crushed leaves of the plant, pour 200 ml of boiling water, then cook for about 20 minutes. 
After this, filter and cool. Use the resulting decoction 1 tsp. half an hour before meals.
For baths (soothing). Take 50 g of rosemary, add a liter of cold water, then bring to a boil. Remove from the stove and wait for half an hour. Next, you need to strain through several layers of gauze and add to the filled bath.
Important! You can stay in the medicinal bath for no more than 30 minutes.
Water infusion
For the treatment of inflamed joints. We will need dry crushed leaves of the plant and chopped white willow bark. Take 3 tbsp. l. herbs and bark, then pour a liter of boiling water and leave for 2-3 hours. We drink the resulting infusion throughout the day, dividing it into optimal equal doses. Can be taken regardless of meals.
For weight loss. We will need leaves, thorn flowers and rosemary. All of these can be found at the pharmacy, so preparing the medicine is not difficult.
Mix the indicated herbs in equal proportions, then take 3 tsp. the resulting mix and pour half a liter of boiling water. You need to insist for no more than five minutes. Next, filter and consume 150 ml after each meal. 
To get rid of bags under the eyes. Take 2 tbsp. l. chopped herbs, then pour 300 ml of boiling water. You need to insist for about an hour, after which you must filter. We use it in the form of compresses that are applied to the eyelids and the skin around the eyes. It is best to carry out the procedure before bedtime.
Alcohol tincture
For neurosis, flatulence, poor appetite. Take a tablespoon of dry herb, pour in 100 ml of vodka, then shake and place in the pantry for 10 days. On day 11, you need to take out the tincture, strain, and pour into a convenient bottle. Should be taken 3 times a day, half an hour before meals. At 2 tbsp. l. take 20 drops of tincture.
For the treatment of rheumatism. You need to measure out 250 ml of septyl (70% alcohol). Next, add 50 g of fresh rosemary sprigs, then close the container tightly and put it in the closet for 1.5 weeks. We filter the resulting infusion, after which we use it externally for rubbing.
For the treatment of oral cavity caused by infection. Take 250 ml of pure and 250 ml of 96% medical alcohol. Mix, then add 7-8 drops of rosemary essential oil.
The resulting tincture should be added to water (5 ml per 250-300 ml of water) and used for treatment of the oral cavity or oral administration. 
Inhalations
To treat respiratory diseases, as well as complications such as tracheitis and bronchitis, you can use rosemary-based inhalations.
Take an enamel container with a volume of no more than 2 liters. Pour water and add a couple of plant branches, or 1-2 tsp. dry raw materials. Bring to a boil, then inhale for about 10 minutes. You need to inhale the steam first through your nose and then through your mouth.
For inhalation, you can also use rosemary oil along with other essential oils, but you should be careful, as such a mixture can cause. It is also worth remembering that a few drops of oil are enough for inhalation.
Tea
Based on the plant, you can prepare a tasty and healthy one, but for this we will need additional ingredients, since one based solely on rosemary does not have a rich taste, and if it is not brewed correctly, you will get a very bitter liquid that is impossible to drink.
So, to make tea we need to take lemon balm, blueberry leaves and rosemary in equal proportions. Of course, it is better if the raw materials for tea are fresh, but the dry version is also suitable. 
Take a teaspoon of the resulting mixture, then brew it in a cup like regular tea.
Wait up to half an hour, strain, add sugar or. Tea with rosemary has the following beneficial properties: it helps to cope with colds, speeds up recovery from colds, and also helps to recover from serious illnesses.
Recipes for use for cosmetic purposes
Above we talked about how to use the plant to treat various diseases and ailments, but rosemary can also be used as part of “homemade” cosmetics. Next, we will tell you how to create excellent creams and masks based on beneficial herbs.
For hair
Mask for dry and normal hair. First, prepare the base for the mask. Take 4 tsp. oil from and 2 tsp. . Add 2 drops each of oil and rosemary. Apply the resulting mask to the hair roots, then cover with cling film and a towel. Leave for an hour and wash off with warm water and shampoo.
Hair strengthening mask. Mix regular oil with black pepper, rosemary and basil oils, taken one drop at a time. Next, combine the resulting mixture with 2 egg yolks, mix, and use as a mask or hair shampoo. If the composition is applied in the form of a mask, it should be kept on for no more than half an hour. 
For hair growth. Take 1 tbsp. l. , 5 ml, 2 ml almond oil and ½ tsp. . Add 20 drops of rosemary oil to the resulting mixture. Apply the mask first to the roots and then along the entire length of the hair. Leave for no more than 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Important!The mask is applied only to dry, clean hair.
For skin
For dry skin. Take half of the ripe one, mash it into a puree, then add 2 drops each of lavender and rosemary oil. Stir and add 1 tsp. avocado oils. Apply the resulting composition to the skin of the face for 20 minutes. After the specified time has passed, the mask should be washed off with warm water.
For oily skin. Take 30 ml of grape seed oil and add 3 drops of rosemary oil to it. Apply to face for 20 minutes. Finally, wash off with warm water and soap.For skin rejuvenation. Take 1 chicken yolk, 30 ml and 3 drops of rosemary oil. Mix and apply to face. Leave for 15 minutes, then wash off with warm water and soap. 
Collection, preparation and storage of medicinal raw materials
Valuable raw materials are foliage, flowers, and the shoots of the plant themselves. However, it is best to harvest the foliage, and this must be done before flowering in order to obtain juicy green leaves that have the maximum concentration of nutrients.
The top shoots should be cut off. In this case, the top 20 cm of shoots are subject to harvesting. If you want to prepare products for tea, you need to cut off the flower stalks at the moment of mass flowering of rosemary. It is worth noting that cut flowers dry quickly, so they should be immediately sent for drying.
It is better to dry the collected raw materials in the open air, under a canopy or on the balcony. In this case, you need to lay out the cut shoots or flowers in one even layer, ensure that there is no direct sunlight and there is a slight draft so that the greens do not rot.
You should also turn the rosemary regularly to ensure it dries evenly. Natural drying takes 2 weeks. If you want to dry it in a special dryer, you need to cut the raw material into small pieces, then spread it evenly on a baking sheet and put it in the dryer. 
Drying temperature - no more than 40°C. At this temperature, drying takes 2 hours, during which you need to regularly ventilate the chamber. Drying flowers takes 4 hours.
Dry grass is stored in paper or cotton bags. The room where the plant is stored should have low humidity and a minimum of light. You can also keep it in closed glass jars, but in this case rosemary may be prohibited.
Important! The shelf life is 12 months, after which the plant loses its taste and aroma.
Contraindications and side effects
Above we talked about the benefits of the plant, and also provided a large number of recipes, but we should not forget about the dangers of rosemary, since the plant contains many substances that in certain cases can be dangerous.
It’s worth saying right away that rosemary should be avoided during this time. This applies not only to the products to which the seasoning is added, but also to the oral administration of tinctures, as well as the external application of rosemary-based solutions.
The problem is that rosemary can cause a negative reaction in the fetus, which can cause the child to experience allergic reactions. The plant is contraindicated for hypertensive patients, as it can temporarily increase blood pressure. 
External use of the herb is prohibited in cases of hypersensitivity of the skin, as well as in cases of nervous disorders such as epilepsy. Rosemary should not be given to children under 9 years of age, as it can cause an allergic reaction or indigestion.
Now you know that the usual seasoning is used not only in cooking, but also in medicine, as well as in cosmetology. Rosemary is not a rare plant, so you can buy products based on it at the pharmacy, and pure dry herb is sold in any spice store.
However, do not forget that a large amount of this seasoning can cause negative consequences.
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean. Dry and fresh, it is used as a seasoning in Italian, French, and Greek cuisine. This seasoning not only perfectly enhances the taste of dishes, it is also very healthy. Let's figure out where to add rosemary seasoning to create real culinary masterpieces.
Benefits of rosemary seasoning
Rosemary is very beneficial for the nervous system. It relieves stress, calms, and gives relaxation. In addition, it has a beneficial effect on the entire gastrointestinal tract and improves digestion.
Rosemary is a seasoning that will make the taste of meat bright and rich.
This seasoning fights all colds. Even simply eating dishes with the addition of a small amount of rosemary will be a good prevention of colds in the autumn-winter period of the year. Well, if you don’t just eat a piece of meat with rosemary, but also take a bath with a couple of drops of rosemary essential oil, your body will be protected.
What dishes is rosemary seasoning suitable for?
This seasoning is universal. It can be used with almost any product.
- It goes perfectly with all types of meat. Rosemary can add a slight hint of wild game to even ordinary pork. This seasoning does not lose its quality when cooked, so you can add it while frying, stewing or baking meat.
- Use rosemary with a variety of cheese appetizers. In addition, it can be added during the preparation of cheese.
- Rosemary-based sauces are popular all over the world.
- It goes well with any vegetables, especially potatoes. You can simply cut the potatoes into wedges and bake them with rosemary for an incredibly delicious, easy and flavorful dish.
- A couple of leaves of this seasoning can even be added to desserts.
Please note that rosemary goes better with some seasonings, and worse with others. For example, it should not be used together with bay leaf, as their taste is too similar. But parsley, on the contrary, can enhance the aroma of rosemary. Rosemary can also be used with black pepper, oregano, basil, marjoram and thyme.
Move away from the standard set of spices and add rosemary to your kitchen. This seasoning will decorate more than one of your dishes. When you feel the taste and aroma of this herb, you will understand what dishes it goes perfectly with, and then you can experiment in the kitchen.
The herbs of Provence seasoning, the composition of which we will not discuss now, includes rosemary. Rosemary is a seasoning where to add a single herb, so popular in the Mediterranean? In particular, Provencal cuisine is not complete without rosemary. One gets the complete impression that it is being added there everywhere and everywhere. And where can we use it, what is more familiar to us? A couple of recipes for dishes that include rosemary, where to add it and how much we will see now.
Lamb with rosemary
Approximately serves 4 servings.
Compound
- Lamb (ham, neck, brisket) – 1 kg
- Olive oil – 5 tablespoons
- Garlic, ground black pepper, salt - to taste
- Potatoes – 1 kg
- Rosemary (chopped dried) – 2 tablespoons
- Thyme, savory, oregano, marjoram - to taste
Preparation
- Rub the meat with olive oil (1 tablespoon) and dry herbs: rosemary, oregano, savory, thyme, marjoram.
- To ensure even frying, cut the meat in several places and insert garlic cloves into the cuts.
- Season everything with salt and pepper.
- Cover the meat with a lid and leave at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
- Mix peeled and chopped potatoes with 4 tbsp. spoons of oil, crushed garlic and 1 tbsp. spoon of rosemary, place on a baking sheet and place in the oven.
- Place a grill with lamb on top.
- Bake at 190 degrees for about 40 minutes (20 - 25 minutes per 500 g of meat), stir the potatoes if necessary.
Paprika breaded with rosemary
Calculation of products - for 2 servings
Compound
- Red sweet peppers (paprika) – 2 pcs.
- Flour – 100 g
- White wine or milk – 100 ml
- Egg – 1 pc.
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Rosemary
- Ground black pepper, salt - to taste
Gravy
- Tomato pulp – 125 g
- Honey – 1 teaspoon
- Chili pepper and salt - a pinch
- Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
Preparation
- Stir flour, egg yolk, white wine (milk), rosemary, black pepper and olive oil until smooth.
- Beat the egg white with salt into a strong foam and gently fold into the dough.
- Cut the peppers into 6 equal slices, remove seeds.
- Dip each piece into the dough and fry in oil until a crust forms. Let the excess oil drain from the peppers.
- Serve with tomato gravy by simply mixing all the ingredients and seasoning to taste.
For us, rosemary is an exotic seasoning, but it is increasingly used in culinary matters. And not only in restaurants, at home you also want something new and original. We roughly understand where to add rosemary seasoning. There is only one thing to keep in mind - for the first time, add very little of it to understand what you personally like. Still, this is a very fragrant thing.
Rosemary is a “wild thing”, an herb that is not at all timid. It is not without reason that the best perfumers around the world gladly use the aroma of rosemary to create their masterpieces, because the tart taste of this spice cannot be confused with anything else.
Rosemary, native to the Mediterranean, is an evergreen low-growing shrub whose growth never exceeds two meters. The leaves of the bush resemble pine needles, are gray-green in color, and when rubbed they emit a strong aroma.
Rosemary has found the widest application in medicine, perfumery, cosmetology and, of course, in cooking.
Rosemary in medicine
The beneficial properties of rosemary are very great, it is not for nothing that its official name has the prefix “medicinal”. This fragrant medicine contains natural immunostimulants that help a weakened body maintain immunity. It perfectly improves memory and attention, so it is recommended for people with cerebrovascular accidents.
The anti-inflammatory properties of rosemary help with sore throats and colds, and promote the healing of wounds and abrasions. Brewed spicy leaves have a restorative and tonic effect.
Rosemary oil is widely used in aromatherapy and cosmetology. Rosemary baths help those suffering from rheumatism and radiculitis.
Rosemary in cooking
Rosemary is used to prepare one of the most vibrant seasonings, which, even in minimal quantities, can radically transform any dish. But with rosemary there is one unshakable rule - a sense of proportion and again a sense of proportion! The bitter-pine taste of the seasoning can be compared to the precise blow of a sniper rifle - it hits immediately and on the spot. And even a long heat treatment will not help get rid of the tart taste, because the seasoning has a unique property - even the herb added at the beginning of cooking will retain its taste and aroma.
Both fresh and dried leaves are used in cooking. But fresh leaves must be removed after preparing the dish, otherwise the dish will begin to taste bitter. Rosemary can be substituted for bay leaf, but using them together is not recommended. But the spice goes well with garlic.
For meat and fish
Rosemary is a herb that can easily overpower the flavor of any other ingredients. It is this property that makes it an indispensable seasoning for preparing meat dishes from lamb, rabbit and a wide variety of game. Rosemary will not only overcome the specific and unusual taste, but will also add a touch of nobility and even sensuality.
Kebab lovers can try this recipe: throw a few sprigs of rosemary into a grill with hot coals, and your kebab or barbecue will acquire an unusual spicy aroma. The seasoning can also be added to the marinade in which the meat for barbecue is soaked.
However, the seasoning is suitable not only for any type of meat, but also for fish. Crushed rosemary leaves can be used instead of salt.
In salads and marinades
Various brines and marinades acquire a special taste when rosemary is added; it can even be added when sauerkraut and pickling mushrooms.
Rosemary is traditionally used in salads, sauces and soups. It perfectly flavors any oil and vinegar.
In vegetables and desserts
Fresh herbs pair well with tomatoes, zucchini, green onions and other fresh or steamed vegetables. Simple dishes such as scrambled eggs, potatoes and vegetable stew will show their best qualities when combined with rosemary.