Today's featured herb is rosemary - a delicious, aromatic medicine native to the Mediterranean and a delicious perennial herb to support many aspects of health. Rosemary thrives in warm climates so those living in cold winters should grow rosemary in a container and bring it indoors when temperatures start to fall below 50 degrees. Rosemary is drought tolerant and should not be overwatered if grown in a container. In our southeastern Texas climate, I've seen rosemary grown as a small shrub in well-drained containers - it really enjoys the heat!
Rosemary has many health benefits. In the Victorian language of flowers, rosemary symbolizes rememberance and it has been noted for supporting memory and cognitive function. It is also a great tonic for hair growth and skin regeneration. As a member of the mint family, rosemary is a great digestive herb and is often used in 'heavy' dishes to help the stomach process fat or high amounts of protein.
Some varieties of rosemary have an especially strong pine scent, which has also been associated with improving attention and mental acuity. We use rosemary as a key herb in our aromatic wellness garden because of its low-maintence growing requirements and strong, pleasant scent. The aroma often reminds people of the forest and brings a sense of peace, serenity and clarity. Pick up a bundle of fresh rosemary from the store (or garden center if you're in a warmer climate) and enjoy some deep breaths with this wonderful medicine!
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