It’s that time again!

I am putting up the “Be Back Soon” sign again, because I don’t want you to think that I have disappeared. Things will be a bit busy for the following few weeks, so I won’t be posting reviews or long blog posts during this time. I will be posting a little something-something though, every now and then, just to let you know that I am still here! Thank you for reading my blog…stay tuned!

 

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Just a little thought…

In My Garden…Rosemary

I recently started a fruit and herb garden, so each week, one of these plants will be featured on the blog with interesting info and recipes. This week it’s Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).

The first encounter I had with rosemary was on a school outing (almost 20 years ago!) when we went to the “Die Kasteel” in Cape Town. We walked past a rosemary bush and the teacher said “Rosemary is very good for you hair”… and that was all I needed to get hooked!

Rosemary…

…blends well with Lavender, Geranium, Lemongrass, Lime, Orange, Petitgrain, and Basil

…odour intensity is high

…part of the plant which is used are the flowering tops and the leaves.

…extracted by means of distillation

–        Infuse the fresh leaves in boiling water to make a mouthwash for sweet smelling breath. This also helps reduce flatulence when taken in small amounts.

–        Its anti-bacterial properties makes it a good addition to bathwater for healthy skin. Add about one cup of leaves.

–        I add dried rosemary to a basic body scrub I make:

• ½ cup sea salt (I use magnesium sulphate, or “Epsom salts”for a very gentle scrub with health benefits)
• 60ml base oil (I like sweet almond or olive)
• You can add lemon juice for improvement on blemishes.
• To this I add dried Rosemary and it smells beautiful!

And of course, the main reason I have Rosemary in my garden, it adds shine to dark hair! I steep a few sprigs in hot water, let it cool and use it as a final rinse when washing my hair.

And for those who didn’t know, it’s also useful for alopecia.

It stimulates the mind, promoting clear thought and inner vision. So I like burning Rosemary oil when I am studying or working, it helps me to focus and not get distracted by Twitter! ;)

Unfortunately due to rosemary being used in so many hair products, I struggle to use it in food. The fragrance puts me off as it remind me of shampoo!

Do you have Rosemary in your garden, and what do you use it for?

Sources:

‘A Guide to Green Housekeeping” by Christina Strutt

‘Secrets of youth & beauty’ by Daniéle Rymans

‘The Complete Aromatherapt Tutor’ by Joanne Hoare