Description
It is an evergreen shrub, densely bifurcate of
0.5-1 m in
height, very branched from its base, foliate, aromatic. Its bark is
exfoliative, puberulent or almost epilose. Leaves grow opposite, linear of 1-3 cm long and 3 mm wide, lanceolate,
needle-like, and coriaceous, obtuse, glabrous in the upper side of the leave,
which is deep green and white in the underside due to the presence of a small
starry tomentum; glandular hairs with essence, revolute margin. Inflorescence
arranged in bunches of 2-3 cm
long, in the axil of the leaves situated near the end of the branches. Calyx
bilabiate, 4-4.5 mm
long, corolla bilabiate of 10-12
mm long, with the upper lip flat (non-convex) formed by
two very visible lobules; the inferior lip has three lobules, being the medial
one bigger and hood-shaped, pale blue with elongate purple stains; the upper
lip is entire and shows three tiny teeth whereas the inferior lip is cleft in
two triangular teeth, it has very short hairs that use to fall thus becoming
hairless. Androecium is formed by 2 stamens, curved, almost fixed by the
anthers, with quite long filaments that stand up from the corolla. Gynoecium
with superior bicarpellary ovary that fructify in a loment with four nucules. The
fruit, enclosed in the bottom of the calyx is a brown tetrachaenium (it is
divided in 4 small smooth nutlets at the bottom of the calyx). It belongs to
the Lamiaceae or Labiatae (Mint) family.
It is a spontaneous species in the
Mediterranean region, from where it comes. It grows in the coastal areas and
low mountain regions (slopes and hills), mostly in arid, dry, light, somehow
sandy, permeable, well drained and calcareous soils, often accompanying oaks,
from the coast to up to 1,500
m high. It adapts to poor soils while compact clayey
soils are not convenient. It is easily cultivable, even in pots. It is found in
the Mediterranean region of South Europe and North Africa, also in Asia Minor. Green rosemary is recognized by its strong camphorated
smell. It blooms almost during all year (spring and autumn). During the first
year it shouldn’t be harvested. Leaves and apex are harvested from April to
September; leaves alone at any time of the year, from the second or third year,
although the best moment is after the summer. Flowers during blooming.
Part used
Floral apexes
(stems, flowers and leaves).
Indications
Internal use
> Digestive disorders: Flatulence, meteorism,
digestive spasms, dyspepsia associated to nervous tension, anorexia.
> Hepato-biliary deficiencies: biliary
dyskinesia, liver congestion, hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, cholecystitis,
biliary lithiasis.
> Rheumatism, arthrosis, arthritis,
gout and arthralgias.
> Amenorrhea (absence of
menstruation), oligomenorrhea, dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), menopause. In
these cases, it may loss effectiveness with the passage of time, reason why it
is recommended its use together with other plants (e.g. mugwort).
> Asthenia, nervous exhaustion,
convalescence periods.
> Headaches and migraines, vertigo.
> Low blood pressure.
> Respiratory affections: bronchitis,
influenza, bronchial asthma, hacking cough.
> Loss of memory, atherosclerosis, ischemic
heart diseases.
> Impotence
> As a seasoning to help preserving
oils and meats, seasoning of soups, stews, cecina
(a type of dehydrated meat), fish, etc. In the preparation of vinegars.
> Essential oil, used in food, perfume
and cosmetic industry.
External use
> In oil form, ointments and rosemary
alcohol:
- Adjuvant in the treatment of
rheumatic diseases: myalgias, muscular rheumatisms, torticollis, muscular
contractures, sciatica, lower back pain, intercostals nerves, contusions,
sprains, strains, against muscular fatigue, aching and stiff muscles, and
overstrains in sportspeople.
- Peripheral circulatory alterations.
- To favor the healing of wounds,
sores, skin infections, seborrheic dermatitis, symptomatic relief of allergic
skin reactions.
> Alopecia, hairloss
(rosemary essence).
> Oral hygiene in the form of mouthrinses.
> Leaves of rosemary
can be burned to disinfect rooms or be placed in the wardrobes to prevent
moths.
