April
Rosemary
This luscious and handsome shrub has narrow dark green leaves and tiny sweet little perky flowers that range from pale blue to a pinkish lavender colour. It’s highly scented especially when rubbed or warm.
The generous rosemary plant is not just a pretty face it’s a mix of useful practical medicinal and fluffy and frivolous qualities with some serious scientific clout. Rosemary is one of those plants like lavender, which grows better in England than anywhere, else, and English oil of Rosemary, though it is infinitely superior to what of other countries, is hardly found in commerce to day. The bulk of the commercial oil comes from France, Spain and Japan
History: The Ancients were well acquainted with the shrub, which had a reputation for strengthening the memory. On this account it became the emblem of fidelity for lovers. Not only was it used at weddings, but also at funerals, for decking churches and banqueting halls at festivals, as incense in religious ceremonies, and in magical spells. At weddings, it was entwined in the wreath worn by the bride, being first dipped into scented water. Anne of Cleves, we are told, wore such a wreath at her wedding. A Rosemary branch, richly gilded and tied with silken ribbons of all colours, was also presented to wedding guests, as a symbol of love and loyalty. Together with an orange stuck with cloves it was given as a New Year's gift
Interesting fact: The Queen of Hungry who suffered with inflammatory problems, was said to have been “completely cured” by its continued use of Hungry water. The preparation was made by putting 1 1/2 lb. of fresh Rosemary tops in full flower into 1 gallon of spirits of wine; this was allowed to stand for four days and then distilled. Maybe this is true but if not , it’s a nice story and you can still benefit from the tea. I recommend that you drink a lot and I mean a lot, that way you will forget all your ailments and won't care anyway!! Hungary water was also considered very efficacious against gout in the hands and feet, being rubbed into them vigorously.
Growing: You can propagate this shrub from cuttings of the twisted wood of non-flowering branches in early summer and it can also be grown from seed. They need a sheltered position and well-drained soil, with lots of sun the plant doesn't’t seem to mind a good pruning now and again just to keep it under control the one in my garden grows faster that I can eat it, a (and I go some!). When it’s hot it likes a good soaking. In a warm climate it can remain in the same location for up to 30 years, but in climates where freezing temperatures are expected, consider growing it in pots so that it can be brought indoors in winter, or at least moved to a sheltered location.
Dried leaves, or fresh leaves for culinary purposes. The young tops, leaves and flowers can be made into an infusion, use one teaspoon of crushed dried leaves in a cup of boiling water and steep for ten minutes the Tea, which, taken warm, helps to relax muscles, including the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and uterus, is a good remedy for removing headache, colic, colds and nervous diseases, to soothe digestive upsets. An infusion makes a good mouthwash for halitosis.
Rosemary makes a great treatment for brunette and black hair. Fill a jar with fresh rosemary and cover with sunflower or almond oil. Place the jar up to the neck in a saucepan of water and bring to a medium temperature. Simmer for up to three hours, allow to cool, then strain. To use, work the oil into the hair, then cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Leave for 30 minutes to an hour, then use shampoo on the hair before adding water or it will take you hours to wash the oil out!
Rosemary best eaten: Rosemary and Goats Cheese Olive Oil Bread
Also in season
Morel Mushrooms
Radishes
Carrots
Rhubarb
Watercress
Kale
Garlic
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