Rosemary - many health benefits

One of my favourite aromatic herbs and one I usually grow in a pot on the kitchen window sill but this time I have planted some in the garden along with other herbs to use in the kitchen. I absolutely love the smell of the spine like leaves and use it whenever I can in cooking as it is one of those herbs where fresh is just so much better than the dried version and I am looking forward to seeing its pretty light blue flowers this summer. I adore this herb so much that I have been looking for other ways to use it besides the usual accompaniment for roast potatoes, lamb joints or stocks.

Rosemary comes from the latin word Rosmarinus which means 'dew of the sea' probably because it needs very little water to survive and surprisingly it is a member if the mint family. The Romans brought the herb to England in the 8th century. In times gone by it was believed that rosemary could improve your memory and it was used at weddings and funerals. The bride would wear rosemary to help the couple remember their wedding vows and mourners would throw sprigs of rosemary into the grave to symbolise that their loved ones would not be forgotten. The Chinese used it to cure headaches and baldness and the Greeks used it to improve liver function and improve digestion.

After modern day research it has been shown that Rosemary is another wonder herb with numerous health benefits and it is an anti inflammatory, anti allergen, anti fungal and antiseptic. It contains a number of vitamins, and minerals and in just 100 grams of the fresh leaves you will find the following;

• Rich in B complex vitamin such as pantothenic acid, pyridoxine and riboflavin. It has a high level of folic acid providing 109mcg or 27% of your recommended daily allowance RDA.
• It has 2924iu of Vitamin A which is 97% of your RDA.
• It contains 22mg of Vitamin C which is about 37% of your RDA.
• It is a rich source of minerals like potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, copper and magnesium.
• It is also an excellent source of iron, containing 6.65mg which is about 83% of your RDA.
• On top of all that is a good source of fibre containing 14.10g which is 37% of your RDA.

I have read that rosemary tea is a popular drink in the Mediterranean and I can see why after being surprised by the nutritional values it contains. It is also reported to be a good remedy for headaches, colds and depression. As always on a cautionary note please do not try anything herbal if you are pregnant or on medication. Seek your GP's advice first.

Although I prefer to use the herb as fresh as possible, if there is an abundance then I make sure that I freeze the extra sprigs to use later in the year and it does retain its flavour when used so better than drying it.

To enjoy the aroma and flavour of rosemary other than adding to lamb and other meats it can be added to an omelette, or try with roasted fish or make a stuffing. I wanted to find something new to use fresh rosemary in and what better way but a sweet recipe ingredient rather than just savoury.

Lemon and Rosemary Shortbread

1lb Plain Flour
1 teaspoon salt
8oz butter
6oz granulated sugar
grated lemon zest of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. mix in the lemon zest and fresh rosemary. mix in the egg and vanilla. gradually add in the flour and salt. mix until the dough comes together.

Dust a surface with flour and divide in half. place half of the dough between two sheets of parchment or grease proof paper. roll the dough out flat to about 5mm thick. chill the dough for about 30minutes and repeat with the other half. Cut out the dough using a round cutter or cut into rectangles with a knife. place on a baking sheet and sprinkle with a little Demerara sugar then bake for 10minutes at 180c or until they are slightly golden round the edges. Cool and enjoy.

This is a recipe that I am definitely going to try very soon as i love shortbread and I will post pictures and a review when I do. I am thinking that if it tastes as good as it sounds then it will definitely be on the list of homemade gifts.

If you would like to learn more about my exploits foraging for free wild food and the recipes I have cooked with my herbs and grow your own then please have a look at some of my other posts :)

Rosemary