| Description |
Rosemary of commerce comprises dried leaves of
evergreen shrub of Rosmarinus Officinalis. This is a dense, evergreen, hardy,
perennial, aromatic herb, 90 cm high with small (2-4 cm) pointed, sticky,
hairy leaves. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green whereas it is
white on the lower side. The leaves are resinous. Branches are rigid with
fissured bark and stem is square, woody and brown. Pale blue small flowers
appear in cymose inflorescence. It can be grown either as a field crop or
as an indoor plant.
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| Origin and Distribution |
Rosemary is the native of Mediterranean region and is cultivated in Europe
and California in US. It is also grown in Algeria, China, Middle East, Morocco,
Russia, Romania, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, and to a limited extend in India.
Temperate climate is suitable for the cultivation of Rosemary. The soil
properties influence the yield and the composition of rosemary oil. |
| Uses |
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Rosemary has wide range of uses in food processing.
Fresh tender tops are used for garnishing and flavouring of cold drinks,
pickles, soups etc. Dried and powdered leaves are used as condiment. Being
a strong herb its use need to be perfected as a culinary art. Rosemary oil
obtained by steam distillation of leaves, flower tops and twigs is pale
yellow in colour with characteristic odour, possesses anti-oxidant properties.
In medicine rosemary is credited as carminative, anti-depressant, anti-spasmodic,
anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, carcinogen blocker, liver-detoxifier
and anti-rheumatic.
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