The image above comes from the images I got while studying this herb in school.  It comes from the class lesson.

Today's new herb is spearmint!  I'll finish up my third semester herbs before finishing my second semester herbs.  Then I'll ask for reader interest and maybe do the ones that are in the works for books.

Constituents: essential oils (carvone - terpene derivative), resins, tannin, esters – alcohol with acid which is either acetic, butyric, or caprylic acid (Petersen, 2018, p. 176).

Therapeutic Actions: Antibacterial, antimutagenic, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, nervine (sedative), and stimulant (Petersen, 2018, p. 176).

Indications: Colic, fevers, flatulence, fluid retention, hiccups, indigestions, menstrual pains, morning sickness, nausea, nervous upsets, spasms, stomach upsets, vomiting, kidney/hemorrhoid inflammation, and suppressed urine (Petersen, 2018, p. 176). Hartung (2011) says women’s/children’s health, nervous system and respiratory system. Also, conditions of the digestion tract, pain relief, winter illnesses, and throat and skin issues (p. 228). Gladstar (2012) says mild digestive, helps with appetite before dinner, strengthens the nervous system, and stimulates blood flow (p. 204).

Safety: Generally safe but excessive amount can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and depress the nervous system. Use as a tea may interrupt male reproduction (Petersen, 2018, p. 177).

Have a Great Day!

I am taking a few days off of writing my book to work on the house since so much was left undone while I was working on school.  We normally celebrate solstice instead of Christmas but hubby won't be home in time so we will do it once he gets home. Then back to work for me!  I got my son's presents wrapped yesterday with lots of help from a 3-year-old who enjoyed playing with them...  I still need to wrap her presents. They are both enjoying me having more time. Frankly, so am I! Love and Light!

On to the constituents of rosemary!

Camphene (Volatile oil): Insecticidal (Badreddine, Olfa, Samir, Hnia, and Lahbib 2015).

Carnosol: Antioxidant and antimicrobial (Oliveira, Oliveira, Conceicao, and Leles, 2016).

Carnosic acid: Antioxidant and antimicrobial (Oliveira, Oliveira, Conceicao, and Leles, 2016).

Constituents:   I think there have been a few misspellings in some of my source books. As such, I will leave these here and do further research as I'm able to.  I did add the ones I have a question about to the master list so I will remember to research them better.  These three mentioned here were in a couple of studies that I added to my book entry for this herb.  Very exciting properties for a culinary herb!

Have a Great Day!

I took that last final exam yesterday.  I got a 54 on it.  My son woke up from his nap screaming and wanting me and I couldn't concentrate and the timer refused to come up so I could tell if I had time to sit with him and calm him down.  I did the best I could under the circumstances. I think that's the worst final grade I've gotten.  This means I got a C in the class overall, a 75%.  Yes, that test dropped my grade 11 points.

The kids are playing and having a good time. I have fed them a sandwich for lunch but I'm sure it won't last long so I'll go cook them something now.  I'm going to back up my school files on my external then delete anything not needed for my books or this blog since I have a small hard drive.  I still need to update the indications document with the stuff for rosemary but it will be soon.  Love and Light!

On to Rosemary

Parasiticides: Kills intestinal, skin and scalp parasites (Griffin, 1997, p. 10).

Hepatoprotective: See antihepatoxic

Nootropics help improve memory and brain function.

Have a great Day!

My capstone teacher graded my presentation!  This means I get to discuss rosemary and I should have the exam done before or on the same day as I finish discussing it.  I got a 100% on my presentation, 99 point something something in the class overall.  It looks like she wants to get those grades in as soon as possible rather than work over the holiday.  I don't blame her!

I've got oatmeal cooking on the stove.  My son woke up hungry but then, I think he's always hungry...

The herbarium for rosemary is MUCH longer than you're used to because I copy-pasted from my book entry.  That means there are a lot of books referenced in there. Enjoy!  Love and Light!

On to Rosemary!

Constituents: Volatile oil (borneol, camphene, camphor, cineole, limonene, linalool), flavonoids (apigenin, diosmetin, luteolin, derivatives), rosmarinic acid and other phenolic acids, diterpenes, (carnosol, carnosolic acid, rosmariquinone), rosmaricine, triterpenes (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid) (Hoffman, 2003, p. 577-8). Hoffman (1987) adds tannins, resins and bitter principles (p. 177). Gladstar (2012) says flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, essential oil, tannins, resin, bitters, camphors, beta-carotene, and triterpenes (p. 84). Mills and Bone (2010) state the essential oil contains 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene, and camphor. Rosemary also contains phenolic diterpenes (camosol (also called picrpsalvin), camosic acid (also called camosolic acid or salvin)), rosmarinic Acid, flavonoids, and triterpenoids (p. 555). Weiss and Fintelmann (2000) say the leaves contain at least 1.2% volatile oil which is call Oleum Rosmarini as well as tannin, bitters, and resins. The oil contains camphor which is referred to rosemary camphor (p. 176). Balch (2010) lists alpha-pinene, apigenin, beta-carotene, beta-sterol, betulinic acid, borneol, caffeic acid, carvacrol, carvone, caryophyllene, chlorogenic acid, diosmin, genkwanin, geraniol, hesperidin, limonene, linalool, luteolin, oleanic acid, 1,8-cineole, phytosterols, rosmanol, rosmarinic acid, salicylates, squalene, tannin, thymol, and ursolic acid (p. 124). Tisserand and Young (2014) provide two separate lists of constituents in their book for the essential oil which changes based on extraction technique (p. 407-8). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oil containing borneol, camphene, camphor, and cineole (concentrated in the leaves). Other constituents he mentions are flavonoids (apigenin and diosmin), rosmarinic acid, and diterpenes (carnosic acid and carnosol) (p. 128).

Therapeutic Actions: Carminative, antispasmodic, antidepressant, rubefacient, antimicrobial, emmenagogue (Hoffman, 2003, p. 577-8). Hoffman (1987) adds aromatic, parasiticide, and antiseptic (p. 177). Hartung (2011) says antioxidant and circulation (p. 219). Mills and Bone (2010) state carminative, spasmolytic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, circulatory stimulant, and hepatoprotective (p. 555). Winston (2007) says anti-inflammatory and antioxidant but he continues that Europe expands this list to include mild nervine, nootropic, carminative, and liver tonic (p. 273). Clark (2011) says this is a nervous stimulant (p. 50). Weiss and Fintelmann say this tonifies the nervous and circulatory systems, especially the vascular nervous system (p. 176). Chevallier (2016) says tonic, stimulant, astringent, nervine, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant (p. 128).

Indications: “Orally, rosemary is used for dyspepsia, flatulence, inducing abortion, increasing menstrual flow, gout, cough, headache, liver and gallbladder complaints, loss of appetite, diabetic nephropathy, opioid withdrawal, sun protection, cognitive decline in the elderly, to improve memory, attention, and energy or fatigue, stress, depression, insomnia, and for cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension or hypotension. Topically, rosemary is used for preventing baldness; alopecia areata; circulatory disturbances; toothache; gingivitis; eczema; joint or musculoskeletal pain such as myalgia, sciatica and intercostal neuralgia; balneotherapy; wound healing; and as an insect repellent. In foods, rosemary is used as a spice. The leaf and oil are used in foods, and the oil in beverages” (Natural Medicine Monograph).

Circulatory and nervine stimulant. Tones and calms digestion. Flatulent dyspepsia with headache or depression associated with debility. Atonic conditions of the stomach, gastric headache, adolescent hypotonia, asthenia with pallid complexion. Externally: muscle pain, sciatica, neuralgia. Stimulates hair follicles and scalp circulation (may help with baldness) (Hoffman, 2003, p. 577-8).

Hartung (2011) adds immune system booster for winter illnesses, digestive issues, circulatory problems, brain problems, skin health, and respiratory health (p. 220). 

Houdek (2014) adds helps aging, oily, damaged skin, hair and scalp (p. 42).

Nature’s Prescriptions (2008) suggest scientific evidence that cooking with rosemary may protect against breast cancer (p. 47).  They continue on page 111 with stating a few drops of the oil on the temple may help headaches.

Mills and Bone (2010) say dyspepsia, headache, depression-associate stress, debility, and cardiovascular weakness (p. 555).

Rodale (2008) focuses on the vitamin side of things. Since rosemary has vitamins A and C, they mention that vitamin C is a good way to prevent sunburns by spraying and help with healing from respiratory ailments such as colds. Vitamin A protects the mucus membranes and helps fight yeast infections (p. 527).

Winston (2007) says cloudy thinking, menopausal brain fog, liver headaches, stagnant depression (used with other herbs which he lists), and hypotension (p. 273).

The Complete Guide to Digestive Health (2008) says rosemary relives gas, controls gas, calms intestinal spasms, and thwarts food poisoning. They also add the constituents carnosol, carnosic acid, caffeic acid, and rosmarinic acid are all antioxidants that fight cancer (p. 274).

Bown (1995) mentions the circulatory stimulation on page 49 which helps the scalp and promotes healthy hair. On page 343, she mentions it is restorative, relaxes spasms, relieves pain, increases perspiration, stimulates the liver/gall bladder, improves digestions, and controls some pathogenic organisms. On the same page, she also mentions rosmarinic acid can treat toxic shock syndrome. She uses these terms above in lieu of therapeutic actions. The things listed under medicinal uses are as follows: Internally: depression, apathy, nervous exhaustion, headaches/migraines poor circulation, digestive issues cause by anxiety. Externally: rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia, muscular injuries, wounds, dandruff, scurf.

Clark (2011) says depression, headaches, and muscle pain (p. 50). She says rosemary is an herb that could be added to a salve for eczema (p. 86). On page 71, she mentions it as one of the oils to use on doorknobs to prevent the spread of colds. On page 72, she mentions using the oil in a compress for headaches. She mentions using it for acne on page 98.

Weiss and Fintelmann (2000) say it treats chronic circulatory debilitations, including hypotension, asthenic young adults, and “general and postinfectious circulatory debility in geriatric patients” (p. 176).

Balch (2010) says it’s good against free radicals, inflammation, bacteria, and fungi. It helps relax the stomach muscles, stimulate circulation (including to the brain to help with headaches), decongests the sinuses, regulates blood pressure, anticancer/anti-tumor, menstrual cramps, mouthwash, and food preservative(p. 124).

Chevallier (2016) says it protects the lining of blood vessels and helps blood pressure. In helping blood flow, it relieves headaches, weakness and fainting as well as improves concentration and memory, and stimulates hair growth. It helps recover from long-term stress and illness, stimulate the adrenals, and helps with debility, depression, and digestion. Externally, it can be used for aches such as rheumatism by adding the infusion or essential oil to the bathwater (p. 128).

Safety: No side effects or interactions reported (Hoffman, 2003, p. 577-8). Groves (2019) says low doses are safe (p. 297). Kennedy (2012) says there is potential for seizures using this herb and to avoid if pregnant (p. 212). Mills and Bone (2010) list pregnancy as category B1 which means there is no evidence of harmful effects. Lactation is listed as Category C meaning it’s compatible with breastfeeding.  The only interaction they list in this section is not to use it with iron supplements (p. 555).  This doesn’t mean you can’t take them both, just make sure there is at least 2 hours between taking each one. They continue that there have been very rare cases of contact dermatitis in reaction to the camosol in rosemary (p. 556). The Complete Guide to Digestive Health (2008) says excessive use of the oil can be toxic and damage the kidneys. They recommend ingesting the tea instead (p. 275). Bown (1995) says it can cause abortions and convulsions (p. 343). Clark (2011) says extremely large doses can be harmful. Do not use internally as a medicine in children with epilepsy, diverticulosis, chronic ulcers, colitis, or high blood pressure (p. 51). She says not to use the essential oil in children with epilepsy (p. 122). Gardner and McGuffin (2013) have three pages of data on the safety and interaction potential for this herb. It is rated Safety class 1, interaction class A. They also specify this data is for the medicinal use which is higher amounts than culinary use. There is evidence of contact dermatitis (p. 748). In page 749, they continue there were no interactions with supplements identified or suspected. There were some allergic cases where it caused eczema and contact dermatitis is also a possibility, especially with those who work with the herb. The constituent carnosol is currently blamed for this. On page 750, they go into the pregnancy studies.  Here they mention there is no evidence of the herb being an abortifacient and mention that attribute may be the essential oil, not the herb since the oil is so concentrated. There is a toxicity of rosemary oil but not extracts of rosemary. Ulbricht (2010) says not to use during pregnancy or lactation but agrees with Gardner and McGuffin otherwise (p. 625-6). Tisserand and Young (2014) say not to use the essential oil on the face of children. They say the FDA has given rosemary essential oil generally regarded as safe status (GRAS) (p. 409).

Have a Great Day!

My capstone project has been graded.  I got a 98%.  I'll review the things I did wrong here in a few.  I'm cooking breakfast right now. I'm sure I made an error or two in APA formatting and potentially grammar or spelling errors.  I didn't have anyone to edit it for me to help with that and we all know what happens when we edit ourselves!

Day one of finals studying went so-so.  I did get some reading done in my text book but I also did a lot of rearranging in this house.  Can we say GI Party?  Yeah...  This house is getting one that will take multiple days because cleaning around little helpers is not very helpful... 

I'm feeling very positive today which is odd for me.  Normally before an exam like this I'm all nerves.  I'm wondering if it's because it is the LAST ONE. Breakfast is done and it's time to get this day going.  Love and Light!

Yesterday I copy-pasted the data from the book entry to the herbarium for rosemary.  I won't publish it here until the final grade comes back so I may need to do another herb once I'm done with my final exam.  We shall see.

I went to compile all my quizzes into one file so I could start studying and realized I mixed up the quizzes between the classes so now I need to go back to the original quizzes and put those in the file instead. Studying looks like it will be slow.  The children are tired of me staring at a screen and I don't blame them.  Just a few more days and I will have more time. 

Last night I went through the books I have stashed on top of the refrigerator.  I had a bunch that have now been added to the shelves.  Since storage where the kids can't reach is a premium, I'm rearranging things so the books that can be use for my books are available.  I'm truly amazed at the number of books I've amassed over the years and the scary part is I still have areas where I don't have information...

Love and Light!

I got my presentation done, uploaded and have already asked questions on one classmate and answered questions on my own!  I need to ask questions one more classmate then I will just need to respond to questions from my classmates on my own presentation.  This means I can officially switch to finals studying mode tomorrow.  I don't know when I'm going to take it yet but I'm thinking Tuesday or Wednesday next week.  It's due by Wednesday but I prefer to take them during a nap time and it will need to be a day I don't have my friend's daughter.  We shall see how the studying goes. 

In other news, my children found the Christmas presents.  They approve... 

One of my classmates wrote a cookbook for during pregnancy.  I'm waiting on responses from her for publication data so I can share it here.  I also told her I need a copy in my life!  Studying nutrition on my own is rather interesting but she is getting a graduate certificate in the topic so I would love to learn from her!

Love and Light!

Last week of school and I'm still not done with this presentation!  I have the slides built but I'm used to the military way of doing them so I'm going to check how the civilians suggest doing them and do a mesh, I think.  I want this turned in no later than tomorrow so I can focus on this exam. 

The children both slept in this morning and I had breakfast cooked before they even got up.  This enabled me to get to work on this presentation earlier than normal.  My son is being needy right now so I need to take a break but at least I have gotten a start! 

Love and Light!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GvNO3h-_4MI got my paper and book entry turned in yesterday.  I have started working on my presentation and am trying to get it done ASAP so I can get on to studying for my final exam.  Once the paper and book entry are graded, I can copy-paste information into the herbarium and I can provide that information here.  It will probably get posted as the finals studying is coming to a completion.  She has to have grades in on the 26th so the clock is ticking for her too!..

I just watched an interview with John Travolta.  It was so inspirational that I'd like to share that here.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GvNO3h-_4M
 
Love and Light!

I still have one study left to put in my papers and they are both due tomorrow.  I feel that clock ticking in a not-so-nice way.  I have the kids eating the first portion of breakfast.  More is cooking to get them nice and full.

As I cook, I'm listening to videos.  I listened to one just a few minutes ago which called technology an upgrade for humanity.  I had to add my commentary to the others on that one. I'd also mike to share my two cents here as well on the topic.

There was a time when people would sit in a den and talk for hours on meaningful topics.  Now, that den is a game room or a man-cave where people immerse themselves in trons that do not enrich their brains or their soul.  People sit in front of the TV instead of interacting with their family members.  People spend al day on social media talking to their friends without ever having met them to know if they are the person they say they are. Yes, some are honest, but are all? The fact that you burn more calories just SITTING than you do while watching TV is telling in what technology is doing to us.

Recently a fast food store closed down and they moved all the workers to a new location and now people are complaining about the new location.  If people are raised to live with their face in the phone, how can they learn to be good customer service representatives or even properly cook a person's meal?  We really need to rethink technology as a society and understand the ramifications of what we are doing to our children.  Love and Light!