Rosemary Monograph

Rosemary 

Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

Quick Reference

Common names: rosemary
Latin name: Salvia rosmarinus
Plant family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Parts used: leaves (fresh or dried), flowering tops
Primary actions: circulatory stimulant, carminative, antimicrobial, antioxidant, nervine, cognitive stimulant
Best preparations: culinary use, infusion (tea), tincture, infused oil, hair rinse, steam inhalation
Safety rating: very safe as a culinary herb; caution with concentrated medicinal doses
Grown at Wild Clover Farm: yes — perennial shrub in protected beds

Botanical Description and Identification

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a woody, aromatic evergreen herb long associated with memory, vitality, and longevity. Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary thrives in sunny, dry conditions and has been used medicinally and culinarily for thousands of years.

Plant Characteristics

Leaves:
Leaves are narrow, needle-like, and evergreen, measuring 1 to 1½ inches long. The upper surface is dark green and glossy, while the underside is pale and slightly fuzzy. When crushed, leaves release a strong, resinous, pine-like aroma.

Flowers:
Small, tubular flowers bloom along the stems, usually pale blue to lavender, though white and pink varieties exist. Flowers appear in spring and intermittently throughout the growing season and are highly attractive to pollinators.

Stems:
Stems are square when young and become woody with age. Mature plants form dense, branching shrubs.

Growth habit:
An evergreen perennial shrub reaching 2 to 5 feet tall and wide, depending on variety and growing conditions.

Identification Notes

Rosemary is identified by:

• needle-like evergreen leaves
• strong, resinous aroma
• woody, shrub-like growth
• pale blue flowers

Rosemary is distinct from other culinary herbs and has no toxic look-alikes.

Native Range and Habitat

Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean basin, where it grows on sunny coastal slopes and rocky hillsides. It thrives in dry, well-drained soils and mild climates.

It has been widely cultivated worldwide and may naturalize in warm, dry regions.

Growing Rosemary

Climate and Growing Conditions

Rosemary grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10. In colder climates, it is grown in protected locations or containers and overwintered indoors.

Sunlight:
Full sun is essential. Rosemary requires at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.

Soil:
Excellent drainage is critical. Rosemary prefers sandy, rocky, or gravelly soil with low to moderate fertility.

Water:
Low water needs once established. Overwatering is the most common cause of plant failure.

Temperature:
Tolerates heat well but is sensitive to prolonged cold and winter wet.

Propagation

From cuttings:
The preferred method. Semi-hardwood cuttings root readily under warm conditions.

From seed:
Possible but slow and unreliable.

Spacing:
Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart.

Care and Maintenance

• Avoid fertilization beyond light compost at planting
• Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape
• Avoid cutting into old woody growth
• Provide winter protection in cold climates
• Grow in containers where winters are har

Rosemary has few pest issues when grown in proper conditions.

Harvesting Rosemary

Leaves and Flowering Tops

Best time:
Any time during the growing season, with peak potency just before flowering.

How to harvest:
Cut sprigs from the tips, leaving plenty of growth for plant health. Harvest no more than one-third of the plant at a time.

Harvest midmorning after dew has dried.

Drying and Storage

Rosemary dries well and retains potency.

Drying:
Hang small bundles upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space until fully dry.

Storage:
Strip leaves from stems and store whole or lightly crushed in airtight containers away from light and heat. Shelf life is one to two years.

Traditional and Modern Uses

Rosemary is best known for circulatory, cognitive, and digestive support.

Primary Uses

• Supports memory, focus, and mental clarity
• Stimulates circulation and warms the body
• Supports digestion and reduces gas
• Provides antimicrobial and antioxidant support
• Relieves muscle tension and headaches
• Traditionally used for hair and scalp health

Rosemary has long been associated with remembrance and mental acuity.

Energetics and Traditional Classification

• Temperature: warm
• Moisture: dry
• Taste: pungent, aromatic, slightly bitter
• Tissue affinities: brain, nervous system, circulation, digestive tract
• Energetic indications: cold, stagnation, mental fatigue, poor circulation

Rosemary is traditionally classified as a warming circulatory stimulant and cognitive tonic, improving blood flow and clarity of mind. It is indicated where cold, stagnation, or deficiency contribute to fatigue, brain fog, or poor digestion.

Primary Herbal Actions

• Circulatory stimulant: improves blood flow and warming
• Nervine tonic: supports memory and mental clarity
• Carminative: aids digestion
• Antimicrobial: supports resistance to infection
• Antioxidant: protects tissues from oxidative stress

Preparation Methods

Culinary Use

Regular culinary use provides meaningful medicinal benefits. Rosemary pairs well with meats, vegetables, breads, and oils.

Rosemary Tea

Prepared from fresh or dried leaves for digestion, circulation, and cognitive support. Tea is typically used short term due to its stimulating nature.

Rosemary Tincture

Used in small doses for circulatory and nervous system support.

Rosemary Infused Oil

Used externally for sore muscles, joint discomfort, and scalp care.

Steam Inhalation

Used for sinus congestion and respiratory support.

Safety and Contraindications

Rosemary is very safe when used appropriately.

• Culinary use is safe for all ages
• Avoid large medicinal doses during pregnancy
• Use caution with seizure disorders
• Avoid internal use of rosemary essential oil
• Use medicinal doses short term rather than continuously

Most people benefit from rosemary through culinary use rather than concentrated preparations.

Wild Clover Farm Notes

At Wild Clover Farm, rosemary is grown in the warmest, best-drained areas and protected during winter. Plants are harvested year-round for culinary use, infused oils, and teaching about Mediterranean herbs that require excellent drainage and sun.

Rosemary remains a cornerstone herb for memory, circulation, and resilience.

Oklahoma/Zone 7 Growing Notes

• Zone 7a is marginally hardy for rosemary; our erratic winters will kill some in-ground varieties
• Container growing recommended - move to unheated garage/shed in winter
• 'Arp' variety most cold-hardy (survives to Zone 6 in ground)
• Summer heat stresses rosemary, so provide afternoon shade July-August
• Grow rosemary in large terracotta pots, winter-over in protected location  garage, covered porch) with minimal water and light; same plants survive 5+ years with this method

Foraging:

• Cultivated perennial in warm climates
• Harvest sprigs year-round; best before flowering
• Avoid ornamental or sprayed plants
• Strong aroma confirms identification
• Protect plants from frost in colder regions

Common Questions

Can rosemary be used daily?
Culinarily, yes. Medicinal doses are best used short term.

Is rosemary stimulating?
Yes. It may be too stimulating for some individuals when used in excess.

References and Further Reading

• Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism
• Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal
• Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal  Medicine

Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult a qualified health care provider before using herbal products for medical conditions or while taking medications.