Envoy at 05:54, 4 November 2007

2007-11-04T05:54:33Z

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{{Otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Rosemary
| status =

secure
| image = Rosemary bush.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Rosemary in flower
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Rosmarinus]]''
| species = '''''R. officinalis'''''
| binomial = ''Rosmarinus officinalis''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
{{nutritionalvalue | name=Rosemary (dried) | kJ=804| protein=4.9 g | fat=15.2 g | carbs=64.1 g | fiber=42.6 g | | sugars=0.0 g | iron_mg=29.2 | calcium_mg=1280.0 | magnesium_mg=220.0 | phosphorus_mg=70.0 | potassium_mg=955 | zinc_mg=3.2 | vitC_mg=61.2 | pantothenic_mg=0.0 | vitB6_mg=1.7 | folate_ug=307 | thiamin_mg=0.5 | riboflavin_mg=0.4 | niacin_mg=1.0 | right=1 | source_usda=1 }}
{{commons|Rosmarinus officinalis}}
{{wikispecies|Rosmarinus officinalis}}
{{cookbook}}

'''Rosemary''' (''Rosmarinus officinalis'') is a woody, [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]] with fragrant evergreen needle-like [[leaf|leaves]]. It is native to the [[Mediterranean]] region. It is a member of the mint family [[Lamiaceae]], which also includes many other herbs. Forms range from upright to trailing; the upright forms can reach 1.5 m tall, rarely 2 m. The leaves are [[evergreen]], 2-4 cm long and 2-5 mm broad, green above, and white below with dense short woolly hairs. The [[flower]]s are variable in color, being white, pink, purple, or blue.

The name ''rosemary'' has nothing to do with the [[rose]] or the name [[Mary]], but derives from the [[Latin]] name ''rosmarinus'', which literally means "dew of the sea", though some think this too may be derived from an earlier name. It is a member of the mint family.

==Cultivation and uses==
The fresh and dried leaves are used frequently in traditional [[Mediterranean cuisine]] as a [[herb]]; they have a bitter, astringent taste, which complements oily foods, such as lamb and oily fish. A [[tisane]] can also be made from them. They are extensively used in [[cooking]], and when burned give off a distinct mustard smell, as well as a smell similar to that of burning which can be used to flavor foods while barbecueing.

Rosemary, in the dried form, is extremely high in [[iron]], [[calcium]], and [[Vitamin B6]]. It is in fact more nutrient rich in its dry form than fresh rosemary across the board.<ref>[http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c203K.html Nutrition Facts - Rosemary]</ref>

Since it is attractive and tolerates some degree of [[drought]], it is also used in [[landscaping]], especially in areas having a Mediterranean climate. It can in fact die in over-watered soil, but is otherwise quite easy to grow for beginner gardeners. It is very pest-resistant.

Rosemary is easily pruned into shapes and has been used for [[topiary]]. When grown in pots, it is best kept trimmed to stop it getting too straggly and unsightly, though when grown in a garden, rosemary can grow quite large and still be attractive. It can be propagated from an existing plant by clipping a shoot 10-15 cm long, stripping a few leaves from the bottom, and planting it directly into soil.

Numerous [[cultivar]]s have been selected for [[garden]] use. The following are frequently sold:
*''Albus'' — white flowers
*''Arp'' — leaves light green, lemon-scented
*''Aureus'' — leaves speckled yellow
*''Benenden Blue'' — leaves narrow, dark green
*''Blue Boy'' — dwarf, small leaves
*''Golden Rain'' — leaves green, with yellow streaks
*''Irene'' — lax, trailing
*''Lockwood de Forest'' — procumbent selection from ''Tuscan Blue''
*''Ken Taylor'' — shrubby
*''Majorica Pink'' — pink flowers
*''Miss Jessop's Upright'' — tall, erect
*''Pinkie'' — pink flowers
*''Prostratus''
*''Pyramidalis'' (a.k.a ''Erectus'') — pale blue flowers
*''Roseus'' — pink flowers
*''Salem''  — pale blue flowers, cold hardy similar to Arp
*''Severn Sea'' — spreading, low-growing, with arching branches; flowers deep violet
*''Tuscan Blue'' — upright

Rosemary is a useful food preservative, according to research published in 1987 by [[Rutgers University]], [[New Jersey]]{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. Researchers at Rutgers patented a chemical derived from rosemary that compares favorably with [[BHA]] and [[BHT]] in its preservative properties.

Rosemary can be added as an unusual extra flavoring in [[lemonade]]. It can also be used as perfume.

== Medicinal uses ==
[[Hungary water]] was first invented for a Queen of Hungary to "renovate vitality of paralysed limbs". It was used externally and prepared by mixing 180g of fresh rosemary tops in full flower into a [[liter]] of spirits of wine. Leave to stand for four days then distill. It is also supposed to work as a remedy against gout if rubbed vigorously on hands and feet.<ref>[http://www.superbherbs.net/Rosemary.htm Rosemary at SuperbHerbs.net]</ref>

Rosemary has a very old reputation for improving memory, and has been used as a symbol for remembrance (during weddings, war commemorations and funerals) in Europe, probably as a result of this reputation. Mourners would throw it into graves as a symbol of remembrance for the dead. In [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Hamlet]]'', [[Ophelia (character)|Ophelia]] says, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance".
One modern study lends some credence to this reputation. When the smell of rosemary was pumped into cubicles where people were working, those people showed improved memory, though with slower recall.<ref>Moss M, et al. Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults. Int J Neurosci. 2003 Jan;113(1):15-38.</ref>
A second study shows that carnosic acid, found in rosemary, shields the brain from free radicals, lowering the risk of strokes and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's. <ref>Burnham Institute for Medical Research (2007, November 2). Rosemary Chicken Protects Your Brain From Free Radicals. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 2, 2007, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071030102210.htm</ref>

[[Don Quixote]] (Chapter XVII, 1st volume) mixes it in his recipe of the miraculous balm of [[Fierabras]] with revolting results.

'''Health Precautions:''' In some cases, rosemary can cause autoimmune diseases. Rosemary in culinary or therapeutic doses is generally safe, however precaution is necessary for those displaying allergic reaction, or those prone to epileptic seizure.
Rosemary [[essential oil]] is a powerful convulsant; if applied to the skin, it may cause [[seizure]]s in otherwise healthy adults or children.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10460442&dopt=Abstract PubMed entry]</ref>
Rosemary essential oil is potentially toxic if ingested. Large quantities of rosemary leaves can cause adverse reactions, such as coma, spasm, vomiting, and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) that can be fatal. Avoid consuming large quantities of rosemary if pregnant or breastfeeding.<ref>[http://www.healthcomm.com/resources/imc/OneMedicineCons/ConsHerbs/Rosemarych.html Article at HealthComm]</ref>

== Trivia ==
Along with [[Parsley]], [[Common sage|Sage]], and [[Thyme]] Rosemary is named in the song ''[[Scarborough Fair]]''

==References==
'''Books'''
*Calabrese, V., Scapagnini, G., Catalano, C., Dinotta, F., Geraci, D., & Morganti, P. (2000). Biochemical studies of a natural antioxidant isolated from rosemary and its application in cosmetic dermatology. ''International Journal of Tissue Reactions''. 22 (1): 5-13.
*Huang, M. T., Ho, C. T., Wang, Z. Y., Ferraro, T., Lou, Y. R., Stauber, K., Ma, W., Georgiadis, C., Laskin, J. D., & Conney, A. H. (1994). Inhibition of skin tumorigenesis by rosemary and its constituents carnosol and ursolic acid. ''Cancer Res''. 54(3):701-8.
'''Websites'''
<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/rosema17.html medicinal use: botanical.com]
*[http://www.healthcomm.com/resources/imc/OneMedicineCons/ConsHerbs/Rosemarych.html medicinal dosage and precautions: healthcomm.com]
*[http://www.scientistlive.com/food/20070601/ingredients/2.3.296.299/17803/antimicrobial-benefits-of-rosemary-and-sage.thtml Antimicrobial benefits of rosemary and sage] Scientist Live

<gallery>
Image:Rosemary white bg.jpg|Rosemary Sprig
Image:ChristianBauer flowering rosemary.jpg|Flower
Image:Rosemary.jpg|A rosemary bush with many flowers
Image:Rosemary 'Irene' leaves.jpg|Leaves, the brighter side is the underside, and some have parts of young shoots or old stem attached
Image:Rosemary 'Irene'.jpg|A shoot of the cultivar 'Irene'
Image:Rosmarinus officinalis.jpg|A Rosemary bush at [[Longwood Gardens]]
Image:Koeh-258.jpg|From Koehler's Medicinal Plants, 1887
Image:RoseMaryCLoseUp.jpg|Close up of flower
Image:Large_rosemary_bush.jpg|Huge specimen in [[Sebastopol, CA]], roughly 2.2 m in height
Image:Rosemarymacro.jpg|Macro (Closeup) shot of specimen in [[Titusville, FL]]
Image:Rosemary potatoes.jpg|Rosemary potatoes
</gallery>

{{Herbs & spices}}

[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]

Rosemary - Revision history

Envoy at 05:54, 4 November 2007