Rosemary
Pagès has chosen to introduce Rosemary in several of its creations. This plant with its spicy and pronounced notes blends perfectly with other flavours.
Focus on Rosemary, a plant known by everyone
Origins of rosemary
The history of the use of Rosemary in phytotherapy begins in the Middle Ages. This plant, dear to medieval gardens, was once very popular.
It was only in the 14th century that special attention was paid to the benefits of this plant. Rosemary is said to have been mixed with an alcoholate and used as a perfume by Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, hence its nickname "Hungarian water". The Queen, then 72 years old, would have solved her arthritis problems and would have benefited from the powers of this water of youth by seducing the young King of Poland who would then have proposed to her. It is said that the use of this water made the Queen more beautiful and gave her a second youth: she lived to 80 years old, an age that few people reached at that time.
This enthusiasm for Rosemary made it the most representative remedy of the old pharmacopoeia: the "Baume tranquille", the "Baume Opodeldoch", the vulnerable alcoholic drink, the aromatic wine, the "vinegar of the four thieves", etc. Many Rosemary products have been widely marketed under these names. Throughout the ages, Rosemary has known many vernacular names: marine rose, crown grass, troubadour rosemary, virgin bouquet, incense. Each of them lets the imagination wander....
Characteristics of rosemary
Genus: Rosmarinus
Species:Magnoliopsida
Family: Lamiaceae
Rosemary is a shrub that likes to grow on arid and rocky soils. Abundant in the wild all around the Mediterranean, this plant can reach up to 1.50 or 2m in height in crops and is easily recognizable thanks to its long evergreen leaves with slightly rolled edges, dark green on the top and whitish on the bottom. It is often cultivated as a condiment plant or to form hedges.
Its woody stems are densely covered with linear and tough, opposite leaves, quite similar to coniferous needles.
Its first flowers, ranging from pale blue to purple, can be seen as early as February, in particularly mild climates. They colour the crops until April-May and are in the form of bunches, similar to ears of corn.
You will certainly come across this beautiful aromatic plant, with its very camphorated flavour, after a visit to the maquis, rockeries or garrigues. It is said that its smell also reminds us of incense.
Uses of rosemary
More surprisingly than phytotherapy, you can also find Rosemary wine! It is obtained by maceration for several days. People recommend drinking 2 to 3 small glasses of Rosemary wine per day. This would allow the user to benefit from its vertues, according to some people.
Rosemary has proven itself in the field of beauty and continues to do so. Several natural beauty specialists recommend using Rosemary infused as a lotion or spray on the face to obtain a fresh complexion.
Also loved for the hair beauty, Rosemary, combined with Nettle root and Burdock root, is visibly a good hair care product.
It should not be forgotten that Rosemary is also an ingredient commonly used in cooking. Its leaves and fresh or dried flowers bring original and pronounced flavours to meats, cereals, vegetables, desserts, etc.
Benefits of rosemary
Rosemary, a honey and condiment plant, is traditionally used for its effects on digestion.
We also say that it is an essential asset to protect against little winter viruses. Nowadays, Rosemary is recognized for its stimulating and tonic action.
