Learn amazing uses of rosemary you never knew about. From cooking to health and home care, this herb has so much to offer.
Surprising Uses of Rosemary You Never Knew About
1. Mosquito Repellent
You can keep mosquitoes away by tossing a few rosemary sprigs onto the hot coals of your barbecue. For a longer-lasting solution, try making some insect-repelling mason jar luminaries before your next cookout.
2. Rosemary Christmas Tree
Because rosemary has pine-like qualities, it can be shaped into a lovely, fragrant mini Christmas tree. But keeping it healthy through the holidays takes a little planning.
Start by planting rosemary in 10-inch pots in spring or summer so the roots can grow strong. Prune the plant every 4 to 6 weeks into a triangle tree shape, stopping just before the first frost, since growth slows in winter.
In its Mediterranean home, rosemary gets full sun, cool days around 60°F, and nights just above freezing. To copy these conditions, keep the plant outside and bring it indoors only when frost is coming. Place it in the sunniest, coolest room. When the temperature is above 30°F, move it back outside.
3. Rosemary Sea Salt
Seasoning salt with rosemary is super easy!
You’ll need:
- 3 cups of sea salt
- 1 cup of fresh rosemary leaves
Mix the sea salt and rosemary leaves in a jar. Close the lid and let it sit for about two weeks before using.
4. Apricot Rosemary Jam
Rosemary goes well with many fruits used for making jam, like peaches, strawberries, blackberries, and rhubarb. This apricot version is both savory and sweet, and you can enjoy it as a marinade for meat or simply spread on toast.
5. Rosemary Drinks
Just one sprig of rosemary can add a fresh, floral flavor to many drinks. A gin and tonic tastes even better with rosemary and a slice of grapefruit, and even plain water becomes more refreshing with a couple of sprigs added in.
6. Stirring Potpourri
Mixing rose petals with orange, lemon, lavender, and rosemary creates a dried potpourri that gives off a fresh citrus, herbal, woody, and floral scent.
7. Rosemary Hair Tonic
Freshen and cleanse your hair and scalp while leaving it smelling fresh and clean!
You’ll need:
- 5 cups of water
- 3 to 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
Boil the water, then remove it from the heat. Add the rosemary, cover the pot, and let it steep for about 20 minutes.
Once the water cools, strain out the rosemary and pour the liquid into a container or spray bottle. Use it as a final rinse in the shower or spritz it onto wet or dry hair as a leave-in conditioner.
Store the sealed bottle in the fridge and use it within a week.
8. Rosemary Wreath
Greet your guests with the wonderful scent of rosemary! This simple craft only needs a wreath frame, some floral wire, and plenty of rosemary.
9. Rosemary Dryer Sachets
Instead of using chemical-filled dryer sheets, you can make your clothes smell fresh with rosemary and other herbs.
You’ll require:
- Muslin sachets
- 1 cup of dried rosemary
Fill the sachets with rosemary and other fragrant herbs, such as lavender, mint, chamomile, or lemongrass. Tie them tightly so they don’t open in the dryer.
You can reuse the sachets several times. Simply give them a gentle squeeze to refresh the scent before returning them to the dryer.
