Must Have Medicinal Herbs: How to Grow Rosemary (rosemarinus officialis)

How to Grow Rosemary (rosemarinus officialis)

Today we are talking about how to grow rosemary. Rosemary (rosemarinus officialis) is one of our must have medicinal herbs. This powerful herb was used to ward off the Bubonic Plague.

In 1665 the Bubonic Plague hit Europe with force. Naturally, the “powers that were,” attempted to eradicate it by isolating the source. It was thought that stray dogs and cats were the carriers of the rampant disease resulting in the exterminating of both species by the thousands. They should have kept the cats as they were part of the solution. It’s now known that fleas from rats were the true carriers of the plague…..poor cats.

In England beaked physicians attempted to help. Stuffed in those long beaks were various herbs thought to ward off the plague. There may have been some credence to those stuffed beaks.

In Marseilles, France a legend arose regarding herbal immunity as well. As the story goes, an herbalist, along with three accomplices ransacked the homes of the departed without consequence. Eventually the four thieves were captured and offered pardon in exchange for their herbal recipe.

Four Thieves Vinegar is still popular today; and it works, I know, I make it and use it in my home. Our family has not been challenged with the likes of the Bubonic plague but we fare pretty well against the flu and other viruses. 

Four Thieves Vinegar

Now there is much debate about the original formula but it is pretty well agreed that at least three ingredients were used in the formula that was taken both internally and as a topical antiseptic.

Those three ingredients are: Rosemary, Garlic and Vinegar with Rosemary being the most predominantly agreed upon ingredient. Yes, the stuff that makes for good stuffing is a powerful anti-viral, anti- bacterial and anti- septic. Additionally, Rosemary appears to be the secret sauce used by the Blue Zone Centenarians in Sardinia, Italy. Used in many Sardinian dishes, Rosemary may be the elixir of longevity.

Either way, I use Rosemary in my Four Thieves Vinegar . We carry Four Thieves everywhere, even on vacation. I often offer it to friends who are wrestling with cold and flu. . We have found it to be both a preventative and cure with flu’s and colds. And it tastes great, with no need to water it down. We just take a dropper full orally, three to five times a day if in the throes of a cold and one dropper a day if we are surrounded by sick folk. 

This is a good reason to learn how to grow rosemary. Besides Rosemary, our Four Thieves Vinegar contains my other go to cold and flu busters, namely garlic and cayenne pepper.

Here’s my recipe: It tastes just like salad dressing.

Four Thieves Vinegar Tincture

Print Recipe

Course Medicine

Equipment

• Jar

Ingredients

• 1 fresh Garlic clove minced – anti- biotic- anti- bacterial
• 1 Tbs. Rosemary Leaf – anti-septic- anti- bacterial- anti viral stimulates circulation – and mind
• 1 Tbs. Holy Basil – Indian remedy for colds and flu’s
• 1 Tbs. Oregano – anti bacterial- anti viral – nervine
• 1 Tbs. Red Clover – antioxidant- anti inflammatory
• 1 Tbs. Lemon Balm – anti viral- anti histamine – nervine
• 1 Oz. Dried Minced Garlic – anti- viral- anti biotic – anti bacterial
• 1/3 Cup Honey – anti- oxidant- anti fungal – anti bacterial
• 14 Oz. Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother heated not boiled – reduces mucus- detoxes liver
• 3 Dried Cayenne Peppers – activates other herbs- boosts metabolism – fights bacterial infections – stimulates circulation – increases body temps

Instructions

• Combine ingredients into 16 oz. canning jar.
• Store in cool dark place for 6 weeks – shake & turn over weekly
• Strain through cheesecloth and or mesh strainer into another bottle
• Squeeze remaining herbs through cheesecloth or potato ricer
• Pour strained tincture into 1 or 2 oz. dropper bottles or larger storage bottles
• As a dietary supplement take 1 tbs. daily – or 3-5 tbs. daily if experiencing a cold or flu.See your health care professional before using Four Thieves Vinegar.

Growing Rosemary

Planting:

Rosemary is a cold hardy, woody evergreen to zone 5 with mulching and is more typically at home in zones 8-10. Above zone 5 it’s best to have this attractive plant in a pot. It’s hard to start by seed so it’s easier to buy this plant as a plug or potted plant. Most garden centers have an abundance of Rosemary starter plants in pots. If you’re ambitious Rosemary can also be started as a cutting (rooted in water) or root division of an existing plant.

Plant in full sun (6 hrs. or more per day) in well-drained soil. Use organic fertilizer or compost several times throughout growing season the first year to encourage good growth. After that, it’s not too fussy but compost is always welcomed.Rosemary will grow three feet tall and wide in the north typically, but in southern climes may double that. Potted Rosemary can overwinter in a sunny window to be used in all seasons. It does not like to be overwatered when in doors.

Harvesting:  

Harvest Rosemary right before it flowers for best potency. Cut three to four inches off top, tie and hang upside down in a shady and ventilated spot like a barn or outdoor pavilion. In about 10 days strip the leaves and store in a dry container for later usage. Rosemary can also be used fresh cut in hot teas. 

Besides having anti-bacterial, anti- fungal and anti-septic value, Rosemary is also a mind stimulate.

As a wellness herb it can be used in brewed tea form or as a vinegar *tincture to name a few.

Four Thieves Vinegar is a tincture using vinegar as the drawing agent of the herbs used in the formula.

We hope you learned a little about how to grow rosemary and we would love to hear your comments.

Disclaimer:  Above information is for educational purposes. Herbalists in the United States are not permitted to diagnose, treat or cure. See your health professional for such.

Brendan Riordan

Family Herbalist

Brendan Riordan is available for natural health alternatives, herbal wellness coaching, transitioning to a mainly plant based diet, and garden consulting garden consulting by phone, web, or in person.  He can be reached at [email protected].