Rosemary is an evergreen shrub with pale blue or violet flowers that is native to the Iberian Peninsula and the Western Mediterranean. A member of the mint family, rosemary contains rosmarinic acid. Rosmarinic acid has both antiviral and antibacterial properties, according to Steven Foster and Rebecca Johnson, authors of "Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine." Rosmarinic acid can also act as an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling. Rosemary tea can ease headaches and rheumatism and improve your circulation, according to David Perry and the University of New Hampshire. Topical massage with rosemary oil may relieve and even prevent the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, according the the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Rosemary Tea
Step 1
Weigh 6 g of dried rosemary using a kitchen scale. Six grams is approximately 0.21 ounces.
Step 2
Spoon the rosemary into a tea infuser and place the tea infuser in a teapot. Add two cups of boiling water to the teapot.
Step 3
Allow the tea to steep five to 10 minutes then remove the tea infuser and let the tea cool.
Step 4
Drink your cooled rosemary tea in three equal portions during day, recommends University of Maryland Medical Center.
Rosemary Decoction
Step 1
Weigh 50 g of dried rosemary. Fifty grams is approximately 1.76 ounces.
Step 2
Place the rosemary in a 2-quart pot and cover with 4 1/4 cups of water.
Step 3
Place the pot of rosemary on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Remove the pot from the stove and allow it to cool.
Step 4
Pour the rosemary-water mixture through a strainer and into another container to remove the rosemary leaves.
Step 5
Add the cooled rosemary water to your bath water.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Step 1
Add one or two drops of rosemary essential oil to a base massage oil. You will find rosemary essential oil online or at an herbal retailer.
Step 2
Apply a dab of the mixture to a small patch of skin and wait 24 hours to rule out allergy. Don't proceed if the test area shows signs of inflammation or rash.
Step 3
Massage the oil mixture into your skin over the affected area.
Things You'll Need
- Dried rosemary
- Kitchen scale
- Tea infuser
- Tea pot
- Strainer
- 2-quart container
- Rosemary essential oil
- Massage oil
References
- "Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine"; Steven Foster and Rebecca Johnson; 2006
- University of New Hampshire; The Benefits of Drinking Tea; David Perry; 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Rosemary
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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