Rosemary is the MVP of my herb garden. I have neglected this plant, but still, it thrives! I left it to die during last year’s cold winter freeze – it was my only plant that was still alive, and I didn’t feel like dragging out the plant covers for freeze protection. It also survived the hot, dry summer even though I hardly watered it. I wish all plants were this low maintenance!
Even though I love using rosemary in the kitchen, there are some other creative ways to use rosemary. I love to use rosemary to make easy DIY home and beauty products since it is full of vitamins and minerals and has a refreshing scent. It also has natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that soothe skin irritation and promote hair growth. It’s some pretty powerful stuff!
Need something to do with your overgrown rosemary plant? Here are some of my favorite creative ways to use fresh rosemary in your home:
Hair Care Treatment
Rosemary is often used in hair treatments to promote growth and reduce dandruff. I was a skeptic at first, but after my 3-year-old was born, I lost a ton of hair, so I started doing a rosemary oil treatment once a week. It made a huge difference! I still do the treatment every now and and then, and my hair is thicker and shinier than ever.
To make the oil, wash and dry 3 sprigs of rosemary. Make sure it is all the way dry, you don’t want to get any water into your oil. Then, grab some oil – olive oil, grapeseed oil, and castor oil are all great choices. Put the oil and rosemary into a pot and let it simmer for about 25 minutes. Once it’s cool, strain it into a dropper bottle and store it in the fridge.
DIY Cleaning Spray
For a toxin-free cleaning spray, just combine rosemary with vinegar and water in a spray bottle. The antibacterial properties of rosemary, mixed with vinegar’s cleaning power, make it perfect for countertops and surfaces.
Natural Air Freshener
I love making a rosemary simmer pot to make my home smell amazing. It gives my house a fresh, warm aroma without it being overpowering. It’s so simple too! All you need is fresh rosemary sprigs, lemon slices, a splash of vanilla extract and cinnamon sticks. Put all of that into a large pot of water on your stove and let it simmer for a few hours. Trust me – your house will smell like Heaven!
Rosemary Sugar Scrub
One of my very favorite creative ways to use rosemary is as an exfoliant. To make a rosemary sugar scrub, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary. Slowly add in coconut oil until the mixture has a gritty, paste-like consistency. Store the scrub in a jar and keep it in a dry, cool place.
To use your rosemary sugar scrub, just apply it in the shower on damp skin and gently massage it into your skin to exfoliate dead skin cells and boost circulation. Rinse it off and pat dry – your skin will feel so soft, smooth, and refreshed. Give it a try!
Sleep Aid
If you’re having a hard time falling asleep at night, rosemary’s calming properties may help. Just place a small sachet of dried rosemary under your pillow, the scent is supposed to help you relax and calm your mind before bed.
Natural Skin Toner
Many people swear by using skin toner, but that stuff can be expensive! If you have rosemary, why not take advantage of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by using it as a natural toner to tighten and refresh your skin?
To make the toner, you just need to steep the rosemary in water, let it cool, and then apply it to your face. So easy!
Do you know of more creative ways to use rosemary? I’d love even more ideas to try out, so comment below!