Herb Tips part 2 - Rosemary

I'll never forget the first time I added a fresh stem of Rosemary to a pork tenderloin before I placed it in the oven to cook. It was sooooo good! Next I tried it with chicken and then fish. I'll never be without Rosemary in my cabinet again!  I grow my own and because the two varieties I grow (ARP and Salem) are evergreen here in Tennessee, I can cut it and use it fresh even in winter.  The one in the picture has been growing outside in that pot for 3 years.  Of course, I still dry a lot of it too. Dried is good in soups and stews and even added to bread dough or sprinkled on before baking or reheating. .

Rosemary has astringent type properties and the essential oil is good for sore muscles. The following recipe is for a lavender/Rosemary shampoo:

2 cups water
1/2 cup fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 cup dried lavender
2 cups baby shampoo

Bring the water to a simmer, add rosemary and cook for at least 30 minutes - more if you desire
Remove from heat and add the lavender. Cover and Steep for 30 more minutes. Strain and stir in the baby shampoo. keep in a plastic bottle. Not as foamy as the baby shampoo alone but gentle and smells wonderful. Safe to use daily.

I read this warning in one of my herb books about rosemary essential oil:
Do not use if you have hypertension, ulcerative colitis, or epilepsy. do not ingest the essential oil.

Next post will feature Chamomile