Rosemary is the MVP of my herb garden. I hate to admit it, but I’ve neglected this plant, and still, it thrives! During the winter, I was too lazy to get out my freeze protecting plant covers, but the rosemary survived. It also survived the unusually hot and dry summer we had last year even though most of my other plants couldn’t hang. I wish all plants were this low maintenance!
Since I have so much rosemary, and only use it every now and then when I cook, I wanted to find some other uses for it – turns out, there are so many ways to use rosemary around the house! Let’s look at some of many benefits of rosemary and some creative ways to use it.
Benefits of Rosemary
Rosemary is a super powerful herb packed with tons of health benefits. Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, rosemary can help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation. Studies suggest rosemary may enhance memory and concentration, thanks to its active ingredient, carnosic acid, which supports brain health. Additionally, its antimicrobial properties make it useful for digestion and soothing minor ailments like indigestion or headaches.
So, want to know how to use rosemary? Here are some ideas:
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.
Make Your Home Smell Amazing With A Rosemary Simmer Pot
I love making a rosemary simmer pot to make my home smell like Heaven. 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.
Exfoliating Sugar Scrub
One of my very favorite 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.
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. If you have some left over, you can store it in a jar and keep it in a dry, cool place and use again whenever your skin needs some brightening up.
Use Rosemary To Help You Sleep
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.
Rosemary Can Be Used as a 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!
How Do You Use Fresh Rosemary?
Do you know of more creative ways to use rosemary? I’d love even more ideas to try out, so comment below!
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