Rosemary

Rosemary is one of the easiest to grow and often used plants in my garden, both for food and everyday herbal use.

The plant growing just outside my kitchen door comes from cuttings I brought from my last home. I planted them when I arrived here 10 ago, and I’ve likely been growing this same rosemary line for over 18 years now. It’s always within reach for cooking or making herbal remedies.

I first started working with rosemary about 20 years ago in the Italian Alps. One of the first herbal remedies I made was a bottle of red wine filled with rosemary, left to infuse and taken in small amounts after meals, to improve digestion, brain health, circulation and to lift the mood. It was a very basic preparation, but it introduced me to how effective simple plant medicines can be.

Rosemary has a long history of use, especially connected to the head. In ancient Greece it was worn to support memory, and in medieval times it was used for protection and to promote restful sleep. It’s now understood that rosemary helps stimulate circulation, including to the scalp and brain.

Medicinally, rosemary covers a lot. It is anti inflammatory and antioxidant, helping to reduce inflammation and protect cells. It supports memory and cognitive function, aids digestion, and can ease bloating. It has antimicrobial properties, working against bacteria, fungi and viruses, and can help the body deal with infections.

It’s also useful for pain relief in things like muscle soreness, and can support mood by helping to reduce stress and mental fatigue.

In food, rosemary is a staple. It pairs well with roasted vegetables, meat, garlic and olive oil, and can also be made into a simple tea for digestion. Having it close to the kitchen means it gets used often.

I use Rosemary a lot in my haircare. I don’t use shampoo (which strips the scalp of natural oils). Instead, I wash my hair with a rosemary infused raw apple cider vinegar rinse. To make it, fill a jar with fresh rosemary, cover with raw ACV, and leave it for a few weeks before straining.

In the shower, I pour it through my hair, massage it into the scalp, and rinse well with water. If rinsed properly, there’s no vinegar smell left.

This rinse cleans without stripping natural oils. The ACV helps balance the scalp’s pH, reduces buildup, smooths the hair and adds shine. It also helps with frizz and tangles. Rosemary supports hair and scalp health by increasing circulation to the follicles, which can encourage stronger growth. It can help reduce dandruff, flaking and itchiness, and its antibacterial and antifungal properties help keep the scalp balanced. It’s also useful if nits are an issue, as rosemary can act as a natural deterrent.

A simple plant, but a very effective one.

To learn more about simple yet effective herbal remedies that you can create from homegrown medicinal herbs, check out my Grassroot Herbalism Guide.