Rosemary for Digestion
We mostly think of kitchen spices as things that add flavour to our food and don’t realize how much they can be adding to our health. Processed food tends to be lacking in herbs and spices, and relies more on sugar and salt for flavour. One of the main reasons herbs are worth adding to our food is that almost all of the common kitchen spices act as a carminative, meaning that they help our digestion work better!
To help explore the many spices we can be using, I am going to write a series of articles starting with rosemary. It is a beautiful aromatic plant that I grow in the courtyard right outside of my kitchen, and I love the smell of it!
Savoury rosemary cookies made by Lee for the Nested Naturals team!
What is Rosemary?
Rosemary is a member of the mint family. It was used in ancient civilizations around the Mediterranean Sea, and has been a symbol of love, friendship, and trust. Yet another reason I chose this herb to talk about first, as I wanted to share it with this team that I love so much!
A plant’s properties can tell you a lot about what they can do for our body. As rosemary is aromatic and bitter, it wakes up our digestive system to help it work better. It is also thought to help the cardiovascular system and nervous system. By increasing circulation to the brain, and supporting the nervous system, it can be very useful for headaches, and for our cognitive function. Long term use of this herb might even help protect our memory. If you want to focus on a task consider drinking a cup of tea made with 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb in a cup of water. Here is another great option for tea:
Rosemary’s Grounding Tea Recipe
Adapted from Rosemary Gladstar
Create your own grounding rosemary tea and reap the benefits this herb has to offer.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
1 part rosemary
1 part sage
1 part thyme
1⁄2 part lavender
Here’s How to Make It:
1.) Combine 1 tablespoon of herb blend per cup of hot water.
2.) Let steep in a covered container for 5 to 10 minutes.
3.) Strain and enjoy.
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This herb can also be used so many other ways. It is delicious when used with chicken, lamb, steak, salad, infused in olive oil, and even in baking! We just ate these yummy savoury cookies in our office.
As a holistic nutritionist, I think experimenting with herbs is a great way to motivate us to eat more whole food rather than processed. I would love to hear how you use rosemary in your kitchen!
