Native to the Mediterranean regions: northern Africa, western Asia and southern Europe, rosemary, spontaneous in Italy with thyme and lavender in the calcareous soils of coastal scrub and on rocky hillsides, is widespread and cultivated throughout the world.
The many varieties of Rosemary, erect or trailing, offer infinite decorative garden and balcony solutions.
Rosemary, which loves sunny exposures, lends itself well to being shaped with scissors, is suitable for hedges, borders, low bushes, walls and rock gardens; However, it also grows well in a pot on the terrace, especially in the tree shape, on the windowsill and even in a jar on the kitchen fridge, the important thing is that it is there.
The countless and extraordinary gastronomic virtues of Rosemary
A sprig of Rosemary immediately evokes the idea of a roast, but its possibilities of use in Mediterranean cuisine are much greater and universally known: game dishes, different meat recipes, fish preparations, fresh or cooked vegetable dishes, potatoes , eggs, soups, broths, omelettes, fillings, fillings; crushed with salt in salads or removed from the leaves to support skewers.
Among the less usual uses we can mention: fresh rosemary flowers in salads, in sweet creams, candied fruit or in fruit compotes; excellent extra virgin olive oil flavored by maceration with a sprig of Rosemary.
Therapeutic and cosmetic properties of Rosemary
Fresh chopped rosemary leaves, in a bag suspended in hot water, provide a skin-purifying, toning, deodorant and useful against cellulite bath or foot bath; used as a mouthwash strengthens the gums; as a rinse it makes hair dark and shiny.
Rosemary essential oil is used in the preparation of perfumes, soaps, shampoos, hair lotions and beauty creams.
Two or three cups of Rosemary and watercress infusion a day can prove useful for treating acne.
Characteristics of the plant
- Prefers sunny exposures
- It tolerates not too intense cold
- Prefers low substrate humidity