Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary, is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. The long, needle-like leaves are dark green on top and pale beneath. Both the fresh and dried leaves are aromatic. The leaves and parts of the flowers contain volatile oil. The odor is herbaceous, woody, sharp, and camphorous. Rosemary is used as a decorative plant in gardens and has many culinary and medical uses. The versatile, aromatic properties of rosemary make it a popular addition to a wide variety of foods. Rosemary dishes can range from soups, vegetable platters, meat (most notably lamb dishes) and eggs to stuffings, desserts, dressings and fruit salads. The spiky leaves of the herb are first crushed or minced before being used in the different rosemary dishes. Rosemary oil is best known for its aid in memory and hair loss. It is also considered a symbol of love, and the sprigs have been traditionally used in wedding ceremonies. Rosemary oil is extracted from the fresh, green foliage and fresh blooms of the rosemary herb by employing the method of steam distillation. Rosemary oil is an aseptic, bactericidal and fungicidal stimulant which happens to be in use for medicative as well as household purposes. There are a number of ways in which one can use rosemary oil for hair. Not only does rosemary oil stop hair fall, it also boosts hair growth by stimulating blood circulation in the scalp area. Rosemary is used topically (applied to the skin) for preventing and treating baldness; and treating circulation problems, toothache, a skin condition called eczema, and joint or muscle pain. Traditionally, rosemary has been used medicinally to improve memory, relieve muscle pain and spasm, support the circulatory and nervous systems. It is also believed to increase menstrual flow, act as an abortifacient (causing miscarriage), increase urine flow, and treat indigestion. In manufacturing, rosemary oil is used as a fragrant component in soaps and perfumes.