Menu
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Healthy Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Diets & Nutrition - Food Safety
    Nutrition
    healthy nutrition
    Recipes
    healthy recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    herbal remedies - herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    suppliments & remedies
    Vitamins
    ask-dr-weil_vitamins-supplements-herbs_vitamins-topnav
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    The Legacy Of Living Yes | Spontaneous Happiness | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Health Tips
    Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Spontaneous Happiness
    blog_spontaneous-happiness_topnav
  • COVID-19
  • Dr. Weil Origins Skin Care
  • Marketplace
  • Healthy Aging
  • Podcasts
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Cooking With Spices: Rosemary
Subscribe
Press "Enter" to search
  1. Home
  2. Diet & Nutrition
  3. Cooking & Cookware

Cooking With Spices: Rosemary

Cooking With Spices: Rosemary | Dr. Weil' Healthy Kitchen
3 min

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is an evergreen plant with a unique pine-like flavor and aroma that make it a good complement for rich, earthy dishes. Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary now grows in temperate zones of Europe and America.

Historically, rosemary was used to stimulate and strengthen the memory – students in ancient Greece placed sprigs of rosemary in their hair while studying. Today, extracts of rosemary are still used in aromatherapy to increase blood flow to the brain, boost alertness and promote overall well-being. Its folk uses have focused on stimulating immunity, improving digestion, circulation and asthma, preventing or treating baldness, even repelling insects; however, more research is needed to support these claims.

Rosemary contains compounds that have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Fresh rosemary is a good source of iron, while dried rosemary is a good source of calcium and fiber.

From a cosmetic standpoint, rosemary oil was used in the 14th century to make the first European alcohol-based perfume, formulated for Hungary’s Queen Elizabeth. Today, the oil is touted as a treatment for wrinkles, oily skin and cellulite, though more research is needed to support these claims. Oil of rosemary, once separated from the plant, should never be ingested, as it can cause significant adverse effects.

For cooking, a little rosemary goes a long way in flavoring white meats, fish, soups and sauces. You can use the sprigs whole or chop the leaves, which are easily removed. Fresh rosemary is a better choice than dried for flavor – look for sprigs that are a deep sage green, and store in the refrigerator unwashed, wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel for up to two weeks. When you’re ready, select how much you want, give it a quick rinse under cool water and pat dry. You can also freeze rosemary by covering sprigs with water or broth in ice cube trays. Dried rosemary will be good for about six months when tightly sealed in a glass jar and stored away from light and heat. Remember to select organic versions that are free of pesticide residues and that have not been irradiated, which lowers nutrient content.

Dr. Weil’s take:
I am a great fan of the smell, taste, appearance and health benefits of rosemary. Desert-dwellers like me also appreciate its legendary hardiness. When the temperatures top 115 degrees F. and there has been no rain for weeks, rosemary is among the few herbs that remain upright, green and tasty. Its shrubs abound in Tucson, Ariz., where I live most of the year.

Rosemary’s evocative aromatic compounds make it ideal for creating your own infused oil. Crush several sprigs of fresh rosemary, place in a sterilized glass jar, cover with slightly warmed olive oil, cool on the counter, cover tightly and then store in the fridge for up to three weeks. Remove the sprigs before use. This oil is great with simple, rustic bread and some grated Parmesan cheese!

The pale blue flowers are edible as well. Use in salads, steamed vegetables, and even in fresh fruit tarts as an edible decoration.

Rosemary is not just for cooking, it makes a great flea repellent as well. This is from The Natural Cat by Anita Frazier: Right after bathing your pet, boil a pint of water and add one teaspoon of fresh or dried rosemary. Let this steep for 10 minutes and strain. Cool until it reaches body temperature, then pour over your pet’s coat, rub it in, and dry as usual. This will not only repel fleas, but will give your animal a glossy coat.


Try these rosemary recipes:

  • White Beans and Fusili
  • Rosemary-Raspberry Lemonade
  • Potato-Rosemary Crusted Fish Fillets
  • Roasted Root Vegetables

Read more tips, recipes, and insights on a wide variety of topics from Dr. Weil here.

Herb and spice health food selection for men in wooden bowls and spoons. Used in natural alternative herbal medicine.
Cooking & Cookware

Cooking With Spices

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Anxious About Anodized Aluminum? | Cooking & Cookware | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Cooking & Cookware

Anxious About Anodized Aluminum?

ceramic nonstic pans
Cooking & Cookware

Are Nonstick Ceramic Pans Better?

Diced and whole tomatoes. garnished with basil.Diced and whole tomatoes, with olive oil behind.  Garnished with basil.
Cooking & Cookware

Baking Soda Basics?

A happy young couple preparing a meal together in the kitchen
Cooking & Cookware

Best Oil For High Temperature Cooking?

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Information
  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage Email Subscription
Trending Articles
Anxious About Anodized Aluminum? | Cooking & Cookware | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Cooking & Cookware

Anxious About Anodized Aluminum?

ceramic nonstic pans
Cooking & Cookware

Are Nonstick Ceramic Pans Better?

Daily Tips
HA_Asian-Mushrooms_1x1_663893996
Health Tips

Concerned About Cancer? 6 Asian Mushrooms To Consider

3 Tasty Ways To Cook Culinary Mushrooms | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Health Tips

3 Tasty Ways To Cook Culinary Mushrooms

  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

©Copyright2023 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com