 Nature's
Way
with Alan Hayes
Remember rosemary
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) is one of the famous herbs of folklore, and is known for its virtue of making people more mentally alert. It is beneficial for the hair and scalp, as well as being a deodorant, a mouth wash and a bath herb. When included in bath water it will stimulate the circulation, soften the skin, relieve stiff joints and relax aching muscles. The oil can be added to ointments for muscular aches and rheumatism, and can also be used as an antiseptic. Rosemary has a mildly anti-inflammatory effect on slow-healing wounds.
Blended with peppermint leaves and taken as tea it is an excellent tonic for mild digestive upsets, and will aid digestion and appetite, and induce sleep, alleviate a headache and strengthen the nerves. The same blend also makes an excellent mouth wash.
To make your mouth wash, place one handful of fresh rosemary leaves, one peppermint tea bag, and 10 cloves in a ceramic bowl, then pour two cups of boiling water over them. Add half a cup of apple cider vinegar, cover and steep for 24 hours. Strain through fine muslin and then drip through coffee filter paper. Store in a tightly sealed glass bottle. Gargle with the mouth wash every morning and night after cleaning your teeth, or whenever needed.
When blended with white wine it also acts as a general tonic and an aid to relaxation. To make rosemary tonic, bruise four sprigs of fresh rosemary and put them in a ceramic pot. Add two cups of white wine, cover, and leave to infuse for two days. Strain and drink a small wineglassful whenever needed.
Rosemary essential oil will act as a deterrent against clothes moths. Just add two to three drops of rosemary oil to cotton wool balls and place them between your clothes. Rosemary also makes a powerful disinfectant that has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Simply dissolve 20-30 drops of the essential oil in a tablespoon of methylated spirits and blend this with one litre of distilled water. Store in an airtight plastic or glass bottle, and use to wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces, or use whenever a disinfectant is needed.
The essential oil can also be used to eliminate a musty smell from a cupboard. Add a few drops of the oil to a cup of boiling water and then place the cup inside the cupboard.
To get rid of cooking odours and other nasty kitchen smells, burn a few sprigs of dried rosemary on a little metal dish. Its fragrance will soon fill the kitchen.
For something a little different in the kitchen, sew a pocket onto the palm of each of your oven gloves and fill them with rosemary. The scent will be released whenever you handle warm utensils. Or why not add pockets to the sides of a tea cosy and fill with rosemary. Whenever you brew a pot of tea, the warmth of the teapot will activate the perfume, making your cuppa an aromatic delight.
Dried rosemary and its essential oil can be purchased from health food stores.
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