Rosemary

Scientific name: Rosmarinus officinalis

Description:

Rosemary is a perennial bushy, woody plant that is native to the Mediterranean and now is grown worldwide. The leaves are about an inch long that stays evergreen and has a pungent odor. The flowers are small and paleblue. There are several varieties but the rosemary with green leaves is the kind that is used medicinally.

The dried rosemary takes on the texture of pine needles. The whole plant is strongly aromatic and belongs to the mint family.  It is used in aromatherapy as well asair fresheners. Rosemary is also used for cooking and lends itself well to roasted chicken, meats and stews.


Parts Used: stem, leaves, flower tops, upper part of the shoots (fresh or dried)


Health benefits of Rosemary herb:

Rosemary is exceptionally rich in Vitamin B-complex (folic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin),
Vitamin A and Vitamin C. It is also a rich source of minerals like calcium, copper, iron and magnesium.

This herb also contains volatile essential oils (a-pinene, borneol, bornyl acetate, camphene, cineol and esters) as well as phenolic anti-oxidant rosmarinic acid. These compounds have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-fungal, antiseptic and carminative properties.


Uses and Medicinal properties:

Headache, stomachache, colds, skin irritations, healing of wounds - externally apply oil of rosemary.

Rosemary oil are prepared by distilling from the fresh flowering tops and the upper part of the herb. Fill it with olive oil enough to submerse the flowers. Seal the jar for a month. Strain the contents off and store the oil in bottle.

Dandruff, hair loss - rosemary is known to prevent premature baldness and stimulates the hair roots to grow hair and improve circulation. To make a hair wash - use an infusion of dried rosemary leaves and flowers mixed with nettle leaf. One can also use the essential oil of rosemary and applied directly to the scalp.

Asthma and allergies - rosemary are known to block histamine and thus alleviates allergies and asthma.

Arthritis, gout, rheumatism, sprain - Rosemary oil is use to massage and relieve arthritis. It also helps the circulatory system.

Other uses:

Air freshener/aromatherapy = Put rosemary leaves, water, a wedge of lemon or orange and a teaspoon of vanilla into a sauce pot. Let it simmer on low all day but watch the water level or put it in an oil burner.


Adverse reaction:

When taken in large amounts, rosemary can cause abortion to pregnant women, kidney dysfunction and might worsen existing neurological conditions like epilepsy.

Sage

Scientific Name: Salvia officinalis, Salviae folium

Common Names:  Common Sage, Garden Sage, Kitchen Sage, Spanish sage, Dalmatian Sage,
Broadleaf Sage, Narrow-leaved sage

Description:

Sage are evergreen perennial shrubs that grows up to 75 cm high with woody, branching
stem. The leaves are grayish green in color and has a bluish violet flowers in summer.
The shape is like a lance with prominent veins and fine hair-like filaments on the sides.
The sage herbs have sweet, savory flavor that are harvested just before flowering. 

Sage was originally grown in southern and Eastern Europe, around the Mediterranean and
in Asia Minor.  It is often used in Greek, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Sage is available fresh or dried whole or powdered.  It is usually used to season
poultry, pork and other meat dishes.

Fresh leaves are most sought after for culinary use because of its aromatic, subtle
flavor. One can store fresh herbs in plastic bags and placed inside refrigerator.

Dried sage should be kept in an air-tight container and can be used to season dishes.


Health Benefits and Medicinal properties:

Sage is a very good source of Vitamin A(in the form of provitamin A carotenoid
phytonutrients), Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B complex(folic acid, thiamin,
pyridoxine and riboflavin), calcium, iron and potassium, zinc, manganese, copper, and
magnesium.

Sage also contains a variety of volatile oils, flavonoids (apigenin, diosmetin, and
luteolin), and phenolic acids(rosmarinic acid) which acts as an anti-inflammatory
within the body. With the presence of these volatile oil, sage has become a powerful
antioxidant, protecting cells from being damaged by oxidation and forming cancerous
cells.

 This herb also has antiseptic properties, which can treat cuts and sores if prepared
as a wash.

Sage contains ketones; a-thujone, and ß-thujone, cineol, borneol, tannic acid; bitter
substances like cornsole and cornsolic acid; fumaric, chlorogenic, caffeic and
nicotinic acids; nicotinamide and estrogenic substances. These compounds have
anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic and
anti-septic properties.

Sage is low in fat and calories.

Cancer - as mentioned above, sage has become a powerful
antioxidant, protecting cells from being damaged by oxidation and forming cancerous
cells.

Memory loss- Sage can improve and enhance one's memory.

Sore throat and mouth infections - boil sage leaves and use it to gargle.

Hot flushes - drink sage tea several times a day.

Hair loss and graying hair - boil sage leaves, let it cool and use it as a hair rinse.

Rheumatoid arthritis - sage has anti-inflammatory properties.


Adverse Effects:

Sage when used in large amounts can cause nervous irritation, convulsions or even

death. Those with epilepsy should avoid this in huge amounts.