A Recipe for Rosemary

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As the seasons change and the months pass, a person can’t help but savor cooler nights with fragrant, steaming meals, and the promise of the holidays soon to come.

And one of the most aromatic and beneficial ingredients that seems to bring warmth to the chill in the air is rosemary. With its bittersweet, slightly piney flavor, rosemary is from the evergreen family and is closely related to mint, basil, marjoram and oregano.1 The herb, which is native to the Mediterranean, has been used since 500 BC in both cooking and medicine by the ancient Greeks and Romans.1 It is usually found growing by the ocean and its Latin name means “dew of the sea.”1

Rosemary contains substances that stimulate the immune system, increasing circulation and improving digestion.2 It also has been shown to improve concentration, and its essential oil is commonly used for its aromatherapeutic benefits, including relieving aching muscles, dull skin and exhaustion.3

In the kitchen

In the kitchen, rosemary serves as an herb that uplifts its accompanying dishes, and is often used in breads, salad, vegetables, meats, stuffings and even desserts. It is also featured in a variety of spa cuisine dishes, such as:

Pan Seared Duck With Ancho Chile Mango Salsa—Red Mountain Resort & Spa, St. George, Utah;

Marinated Shrimp on Rosemary Brochettes—Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Baja California, Mexico;

Garlic-Rosemary Chicken in a Pot—California Health & Longevity Institute, Westlake Village, California;

Seasonal Fruit Sautéed With Rosemary Honey—Les Sources de Caudalíe, Martillac, France;

Rosemary Scented Almonds—See this Web Exclusive recipe from The Lodge at Woodloch, Hawley, Pennsylvania; and

Sungold Tomato and Rosemary Soup—See recipe from Executive Chef Peter Schott of The Lodge at Woodloch.

In the spa

Rosemary is a common ingredient in spa treatments and products due to its invigorating scent, and its toning and binding properties that are great for anti-aging formulations. It also increases blood flow, which promotes proper skin function, and relieves skin congestion while reducing puffiness for firmer skin and better skin tone.4 It is important to note, however, that clients with epilepsy or who are pregnant or nursing should avoid rosemary essential oil because it is a stimulant.5

Many spas use this energizing herb in treatments, including:

The Rosemary, Citron and Sea Salt Body Scrub stimulates circulation and sloughs away dull skin—The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia;

The Rosemary Sage Purification Ritual is an exfoliating treatment that cleanses the body and clarifies the mind—Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, Ojai, California;

The Lavender Flower Massage relieves tired muscles with an essential oil blend of rosemary, lavender, peppermint, peperina and French lavender—The Inn & Spa at Montchanin Village, Montchanin, Delaware;

Rosemary Awakenings features a full-body tri-crystal microdermabrasion body scrub that finishes with a mist of rosemary essential oil—Spa Toscana at Peppermill Resort, Spa and Casino, Reno, Nevada;

Come to Your Senses includes warm body compresses soaked in rosemary, a sugar scrub, milk bath and aromatherapy massage—The Spa at Vail Mountain Lodge, Vail, Colorado;

Salish Signature Rosemary and Mint Body Scrub includes a salt scrub blended with essential oils of rosemary and mint—Salish Lodge & Spa, Snoqualmie, Washington; and

The Rosemary Herbal Wrap—See step-by-step how-to from The Spa at the Sporting Club in San Diego.

Many professional skin care and spa products also feature the benefits of rosemary.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics’ Restore from the Minerals in the Mist collection features a replenishing blend of rosemary, grapefruit and lime infused with minerals and vitamins for long-lasting hydration and protection.

Yon-Ka Paris’ Phyto 152 helps reduce the marks of pregnancy, preserve youthful curves and refresh tired legs with a rosemary elixir concentrate.

Sothys’ Beauty Garden Range featuring the EcoCert organic label includes Comfort Mask and Gentle Face Care with helianthus and rosemary.

Terra Dolce: The Esthetician’s Garden’s Rosemary Garden Body Butter hydrates and tones skin using top quality rosemary essential oil.

CA Botana’s Ambrosia Aromatherapy Rosemary Camphor Mask cools and invigorates using rosemary to normalize oily, blemished, congested skin.

Dr.Hauschka Skin Care’s Rosemary Bath includes rosemary essential oil to energize skin and help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

A potent reminder

Rosemary serves as a potent reminder of nature’s wonder, with its ability to bring out the best in food, spa treatments and skin care products. Try incorporating rosemary this winter into your healthy, beneficial and sensuous spa treatment menu and support your rosemary services by providing rosemary-based professional skin care products in your retail area to allow clients to bring the experience home.

REFERENCES

1. homecooking.about.com/od/foodhistory/a/rosemaryhistory.htm

2. www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=75

3. www.aromaweb.com/essentialoilspz/rosemary.asp

4. www.dermaxime.com/rosemary.htm

5. www.livestrong.com/article/79580-rosemary-skin-care/

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