Family Name: Labiatae
Botanical Name(s): Rosmarinus Officinalis
Popular Name(s): Polar Plant, Compass-Weed, Compass Plant,
Rosmarinus Coronarium, Rosemarine, Incensier and Garden Rosemary.
Parts Used: Leaves and Flowers
Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean region, cultivated widely
elsewhere.
Description: Rosemary is a hardy bushy perennial shrub with
aromatic, evergreen leaves and pale-blue flowers around the stem. There
are silver and gold striped varieties, but the green-leaved variety is
the kind used medicinally.
Uses: It is used for headaches, as well as for nervous
complaints. Rosemary is used widely in Mediterranean cooking, sausages,
stuffing, soups and stews and to make tea. The flowers can also be added
to salads. Rosemary is an effective treatment against scurf and
dandruff. It can also be used in mouth rinses and gargles; and is
applied topically to stimulate circulation.
