Rosemary

Anticancer. Anti-inflammatory. Cardiovascular health. Rosemary is one of those herbs you often see in a bundle laying whole on food. Its incredible fragrance and flavor make it a great addition to all kinds of dishes. Rosemary is a green, aromatic plant that looks similar a bushy coniferous tree and is used commonly in landscaping. It is very hardy and is an excellent starter herb for even the most novice gardener!

Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean, dating back to 500 b.c. It has cemented its place in Mediterranean cuisine and in herbal medicinal practices. It is actually still popular today for use as a medicinal herb in that region and throughout the world. As an aromatic, rosemary is used for all kinds of applications such as fragrances, insect-repellents and cosmetics.

Due to its popularity, rosemary is easily found in any grocery store that sells other herbs. It can be found in either packages of the dry needle-tipped leaves, fresh and refrigerated or as a potted plant. Rosemary can also be found as an extract in the form on essential oil at specialty herbal stores. Regardless of the product/form, rosemary’s health benefits remain the same.

Studies have shown that rosemary may enhance memory and cognition, protect the liver, improve circulation, relieve abdominal cramping, and even help with cancer.