Rosemary Bouquet

Status: Common
Origin: Mediterranean
Sheet: Perennial

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

Species native to the Mediterranean region (mostly western) and of the Caucasuswhich has been cultivated since ancient times all over the world as plant ornamental. There are more than a hundred cultivars, some of them of hybrid origin.

It is found in abundance throughout the Valencian landscape preferring the mountains, drylands and ravines, grows even in poor and stony soils. It is one of the most abundant plants in our area (south of the province of Valencia).

CULTIVATION

It is a plant of easy cultivationresistant to diseases and does not need a large amount of water, although it prefers a warm and dry climate as well as the sun exposure. Ideally, it should grow in a well-drained and alkaline soil as it will give off more odor. It is a very cold resistant plant

MULTIPLICATION

We can multiply the rosemary via seeds or with cuttings from a plant that we like. The cutting has to be from a new shoot. See complete instructions (In the picture a cutting with rootlets)

COLLECTION

You can collect the flowering twigs The stems, leaves and flowers can be harvested practically all year round.

USES OF ROSEMARY

Rosemary is a plant widely used in the popular Mediterranean tradition.

GASTRONOMY

Rosemary is used as an aromatic plant in the Mediterranean cuisine for the elaboration of meats, rice, snails... in general for any dish to which we want to give a mountain flavor. It is customary to put 2 or 3 rosemary shoots on top of the paella for a few minutes before starting to eat it.

MEDICAL PURPOSES

Rosemary is carminative, digestive and antispasmodic, and has choleretic, cholagogue and hepatoprotective properties. The plant also exerts a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic and antioxidant effect. It has been used in frictions as a supposed scalp stimulant to treat or prevent baldness (alopecia). The infusion of rosemary leaves relieves cough and has been used for to stop intestinal spasms. It should be taken before or after meals. Rosemary alcohol is prepared with the essential oil extracted directly from the leaves. It has proven effective for alleviating pain and inflammation in people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Rosemary smoke (and tobacco smoke) was used as a treatment for the asthma. Rosemary camphor has the effect of hypertensive(voltage rises) and tones blood circulation. For its antiseptic propertiesIt can be applied by decoction on sores and wounds as a healing agent. It also has a slight emmenagogue quality.

In Valencian popular cultureBarx "Tender leaves to strengthen the stomach" Barx "For the heart" Benissili. "For circulation, one or two cups a day" Cocentaina. "Dried rosemary on a hot iron to make smoke for asthma" Parcent. "For hair loss by soaking it in camphorated alcohol" Biar.

OTHER USES

The wood Rosemary is an excellent firewood and has traditionally been used to light the fires of ovens and fireplaces.