What an exciting time it’s been since my last column!  It’s always interesting to see what the universe brings into your life, and a NEW website is what it brought for me!

Finally we have the new look, very functional “Ben Sorensen’s Druids Garden” website – check it out at www.DruidsGardenOnline.com and feel free to let me know what you think!
Let’s talk about a common and versatile herb this time – ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Originally noted as a gift from Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty.  Brides used to wear it in wreaths as a symbol of their fidelity, however the real kick starter to the romantic legend of Rosemary came direct from the 14th century when at the age of 72 Queen Elizabeth of Hungary mixed it with lavender in a potion which enhanced her health and beauty so much it captured the attention of a 26 year old King of Poland who requested her hand in marriage.
Realistically, it’s a Mediterranean herb that grows just about everywhere!  In early European medicine it was used internally as a tonic and as a calmative to treat flatulence, in India and China it was used to traditionally attack headaches and in the middle ages a sprig was placed under the pillow to ward off bad dreams!
Rosemary is quite high in Calcium, Iron and B6 – but not high enough to replace your supplements however it may help you remember to take them!
History tells us that this herb has always been associated with memory and later the brain.  In a study done, work spaces pumped full of the rosemary scent showed slower recall, but improved memory.
More recently a collaborative group from the Burnham Institute for Medical Research in La Jolla, California and in Japan, report that Rosemary contains carnosic acid (CA) which fights off free radical damage in the brain.  Now this “carnosic acid” might not sound so impressive, until you understand the damage these pesky free radicals can do to the brain – for example they are major contributors to Alzheimer’s, strokes, and contribute to the effects of aging on the brain.
As a member of the mint family, it has a very versatile flavour that goes with just about everything – so don’t be afraid to experiment!  My favourite is lamb.  When cooking, just use the leaves – but save the woody stems for the BBQ!  Place the used stems (and leaves too if you want) on top of the coals to add a super Rosemary smoky flavour to your meat!
Rosemary is a top herb for the beginner gardener!  It’s quite easy to grow, pest resistant and rather difficult to kill accidentally!  It likes a good sunny position, being Mediterranean, and likes well drained soil. Rosemary in pots can run the risk of looking a bit stringy – so just keep it well used/trimmed and it will look amazing all year round!
It’s not too keen on frost and being water logged, and if Rosemary could choose its perfect soil type it would go nuts over neutral to alkaline soils!
Can’t get enough?  Rosemary can even be propagated from cuttings too!  Simply take a cutting, strip off a few of the leaves on the bottom, and plant directly into soil!
With so many uses and being so easy to grow, why not get out in the garden with the kids and enjoy the wonders of Rosemary together!!
Ben Sorensen
Ben Sorensen is a multi-award winning radio and TV presenter, and host of the popular radio segments, Ben Sorensen’s REAL Country and Ben Sorensen’s Druid’s Garden, heard all over Australia.  Ben has a passion for herbs, quantum physics, and promoting a better way of life! For more information on Ben Sorensen visit www.BenSorensen.com   or  www.DruidsGardenOnline.com
Win a Druid’s Garden Pack
This months prize is Ben Sorensen’s two multi award winning meditation and relaxation CD’s, Forest of Light and Sounds of the Forest!  Total of 7 packs nationally, prize pack valued at $45 each.
To go in the draw to WIN this week’s Druid’s Garden Pack simply fill out the entry form at www.DruidsGardenOnline.com   Winners will be notified by mail.  Sponsored by: www.MeditateWithCds.com