It is a perennial, evergreen shrub that reaches up to one and a half meters in height. Its leaves are malarial, narrow, dark green and its flowers are small, light blue-purple. The flowers are in groups of 2-10 in the axils of the leaves and are about 1 cm long.

Rosemary blooms from March to May. All parts of the plant have a strong aroma. Propagated by shoots that take root or grow from seed, which takes up to four weeks to germinate. It is generally cultivated for commercial purposes. The plant emits a strong camphor scent, while its taste is caustic, warming and subdued.

The ancient Greeks considered it a gift of Aphrodite. The students wore rosemary wreaths when they had exams, because it helped concentration and memory.

Ingredients of Rosemary

It contains flavonoids (diosmetin, diosmin), phenols (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid), while its essential oil has as its main components, terpene hydrocarbons, a- and b-pinene, camphene, camphor in a content of 20-50%, , borneol and esters.

Therapeutic properties and uses

• It is an excellent tonic and antispasmodic while it also has an effect on bile secretion

• Strong emmenagogue, wound healing, antiseptic, antispasmodic

• It is mainly used as a painkiller.

• Suitable for nervous headaches.

• Enhances hair growth, enhancing blood circulation to the scalp.

• It lifts the mood and is useful in cases of mild to moderate depression.

• It is expectorant and helps with coughs, asthma, bronchitis and the flu.