Rosemary

Rosemary, Rosemarinus officinalis, is a perennial shrub.

It flowers in late winter in temperate and continental climate zones and offers a valuable early source of nectar for pollinating insects such as bees.

In addition to it’s wildlife and culinary benefits, Rosemary is used in the treatment of digestive upsets, headaches and neuralgia, nervous complaints and colds. Oil of Rosemary can be used externally to relieve dandruff, or muscle aches and pains. I have also been advised that it makes an effective hair conditioner. Simply steep fresh leaves in hot water, drain and apply to your hair once cooled. No rinsing is required.

I am currently experimenting with Rosemary tea taken daily. It has a great taste and is substantial, kind of like having a hot bovril, it’s almost a light meal. I have yet to try Rosemary for any of the other complaints or remedies yet, but will document my findings when I do.

I harvested much of my Rosemary today for drying. Rosemary plants flower on last years wood so I don’t prune it annually so as to encourage a good crop of flowers for the bees, but eventually to gets too big for the spot it’s planted in and I have to prune it. I cut back what I needed to and then trimmed off the new shoots for drying.

I washed the shoots in clean cold water and then left them to drain and air dry. It also allowed for any insects hitching a ride to safely escape.

I placed the shoots on parchment on two baking trays and put them in the oven on the lowest setting for 4 hours. While the herb was drying the house filled with it’s beautiful aroma and it became clear how it could be used for colds as it cleared my sinuses.

They are now completely dried and the leaves fell off the stems when pulled through my fingers. I expect the crop will last through to next year being used daily for food and drink.

It’s tricky to pick the best time for harvesting but wildlife is paramount in my garden and as such the best window for pruning is late July to August, but be mindful and check leaves before you cut them so as not to damage caterpillars, grubs, eggs or any maturing insects.