How to Make Rosemary Wine to Lift Your Spirits and Boost Heart Health

Feb 27, 2026 - 10:58

Updated: 4 months ago

How to Make Rosemary Wine to Lift Your Spirits and Boost Heart Health

Rosemary wine is a time-honored herbal infusion that many people use in small amounts as a cozy winter tonic—one that may help support a positive mood and a healthy heart.

Between 1151 and 1158, Saint Hildegard von Bingen wrote about the value of rosemary, highlighting its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. In her work, “Physica,” she recommended integrating the herb into daily life.

More than 800 years later, modern research supports some of rosemary’s traditional uses, including its potential role in supporting mood and stress resilience.

Some researchers also describe a link between inflammation and low mood, sometimes referred to as “inflamed depression.” This new treatment approach includes food-based anti-inflammatory strategies—bringing herbs such as rosemary back into focus.

How Rosemary Improves Anxiety and Depression

A 2022 clinical trial found that using rosemary in conjunction with standard treatment helped improve symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with major depressive disorder.

In the eight-week study, people with major depressive disorder either took rosemary in capsule form twice a day or a placebo. By the end, the rosemary group had a larger drop in depression symptoms, and their anxiety improved sooner. Researchers also noted better memory in participants. They concluded that rosemary may be a helpful add-on to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, a common type of antidepressant.

Rosemary also contains compounds such as carnosic acid and cineole, which may help reduce inflammation, balance gut bacteria, boost dopamine, and lower stress hormones—leading to improved mood.

While the clinical trial offers promising early evidence, patients should consult their doctor before making any changes to their treatment plan.

Still, for anyone comfortable with small amounts of low-proof alcohol, rosemary wine may be a simple, traditional tonic—a small-serving herbal preparation used for gentle support—not a cure—to lift your mood and “gladden” the heart.

Why Red Wine?

Rosemary is a powerful medicinal herb in its own right. So why add red wine? One reason is that the alcohol helps extract rosemary’s medicinal compounds into the liquid, creating a flavorful infusion that’s easy to take in small servings.

In “Physica,” Saint Hildegard von Bingen referred to the rosemary-wine preparation as “Herzwein,” which translates to “wine of the heart.” This term highlights two important aspects of the infusion, which may promote heart health and uplift one’s mood, making the heart feel “lighter.”

Still, because wine contains alcohol, this infusion is best approached as a culinary herbal tonic, not a cure-all. If you choose to make it, keep the serving size small and skip it entirely if you’re advised to avoid alcohol.

Choose a Good Wine

Choosing an organic wine can be a step in the right direction for health since organic grapes are grown without synthetic pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides.

Red wine gets its color and many of its plant compounds from grape skins and seeds. These compounds, called polyphenols, are studied for their antioxidant properties and their role in supporting healthy blood vessel function.

Resveratrol is one well-known polyphenol in red wine that may help lower “bad” cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and protect blood vessels, making it beneficial for the heart and brain.

Clinical studies have found that resveratrol may protect brain and vascular health, reducing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia risk by crossing the blood-brain barrier, fighting oxidative stress and inflammation.

Moderation Is Key

Studies over the last decade have linked light-to-moderate red wine intake with improved cardiovascular health and a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes.

However, wine also contains alcohol, which carries other health risks, including sleep disruption, medication interactions, and a higher risk of dependence. Research on red wine is complicated because many studies are observational, and people who drink small amounts often differ in other health habits. That’s why this recipe is meant as a small-quantity infusion.

How to Prepare Rosemary Wine

Unlike a tincture, rosemary wine is classified as a “herbal healing wine” or “medicated wine.” This extraction method effectively captures the essence of rosemary in every sip!

Courtesy of Alexandra Roach

Ingredients

Organic red wine of your choice
Fresh or dried rosemary
Glass jar with a lid

Note: I used two 0.5-ounce packages of fresh organic rosemary from the grocery store, but feel free to use rosemary from your garden if you have some.

Instructions

Step 1: Inspect and prepare the rosemary. Remove all debris. If using fresh rosemary, rinse it, shake off excess water, and pat dry.

Step 2: Add rosemary sprigs until the jar is loosely packed.

Courtesy of Alexandra Roach

Step 3: Pour in red wine to completely cover the rosemary, then close the jar tightly.

Courtesy of Alexandra Roach

Step 4: Label the jar with the preparation date. Let it infuse for about two weeks.

Step 5: Give the jar a gentle shake once a day during the infusion period.

Step 6: After two weeks, strain out the rosemary and pour the infused wine into a clean bottle or jar. Store in a cool, dark place.

Enjoy occasionally in small amounts, about half a shot glass or 0.75 ounces.

Note: Some people find rosemary wine stimulating; if you are sensitive, do not drink it before bed.

Combining rosemary with wine is a centuries-old tradition, once used for both preservation and health. Beyond its pleasant flavor, this infusion makes a refreshing, antioxidant-rich addition to your kitchen, supporting mood and heart while bridging ancient herbal wisdom with modern culinary flair.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.