12 Impressive Health Benefits of Rosemary
Rosemary is a very common herb, used
worldwide to spice up delicious meats, fish, or vegetable dishes. Few
people know that this aromatic herb can also enhance one’s well-being
and appearance, as well as protect you from countless dangerous
conditions ranging from a sunburn or bug bite to serious kidney damage.
Rosemary is an outstanding source of
vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and for centuries it has been used
to treat conditions like hair loss and gingivitis due to its
antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Medical research also
supports the use of rosemary with cosmetic goals in mind. Below we
discuss the many uses as well as 12 science-approved health benefits of
this potent herb.
The Various Ways to Use Rosemary
Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean
region of Europe and Asia, where it has been used in cuisine, fragrance,
and medicine for millennia. Ancient Egyptians used rosemary in burial
rituals, while Ancient Greek and Romans mention the herb in their
writings, and the herb is part of several herbal recipes in the
Ayurveda. The plant itself, Salvia Rosmarinus, is actually related to
mint, oregano, and basil, but unlike those herbs, it has long and
prickly leaves.
The leaves of the plant are often dried out and used to prepare tea, but
fresh leaves can likewise be used to make rosemary tea. Apart from
that, the leaves are often used as a spice in salads, stews, and meat
and fish dishes. Finally, rosemary essential oil is also widely
available and has its own applications, such as promotion of hair growth
and repelling blood-sucking bugs, just to name a few.
The herb is rich in antioxidants, which are considered to be the
backbone of the herb's potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory
properties. When added to food, the herb can also contribute to one's
calcium, iron, and vitamin B6 intake. Below we list the health benefits
of rosemary and explain how it may improve your health, well-being, and
appearance.
1. Prevents Vision Loss
A compound called carnosic acid, which
rosemary contains, has been found to prevent retinal damage in a 2012
study. Carnosic acid is one of the many antioxidants the herb offers,
and it was shown to prevent retinal degeneration in rodents, but the
researchers also suggest that the compound may be beneficial at
preventing macular degeneration - one of the leading causes of vision
loss in seniors.
2. Rosemary Eases Arthritis Pain
Rosemary essential oil applied topically
may be also beneficial to those who suffer from joint inflammation,
stiffness, swelling, and pain. This is particularly true for arthritis
patients, as the oil has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect
on the joints. In one study, patients with rheumatoid arthritis received
massages with a rosemary oil blend, and their pain and other symptoms
decreased by 50% after just 2 weeks of treatment. The oil may also boost
circulation in the area, further improving the symptoms.
3. Rosemary Slows Down Brain Aging
As we age, fewer neurons in our brain
remain active, which is known to cause symptoms like forgetfulness,
cognitive decline, and many others, ranging all the way to serious
neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
The antioxidant activity of powdered rosemary, consumed in moderate
doses, seems to slow down the process of brain aging and the death of
brain cells in senior populations, as suggested in a number of studies.
* It needs to be noted, however, that excessive doses of the herb were
shown to have the opposite effect.
4. Rosemary Can Work As a Bug Repellant
Rosemary essential oil is also very
effective at repelling certain blood-sucking insects, such as ticks and
mosquitoes. For example, one study found that a spray with 12.5%
rosemary oil mixed in managed to deter 100% of the mosquitoes that cause
the Zika virus for 90 minutes. A similar article found that a 10%
solution of rosemary essential oil managed to repel black-legged ticks,
carriers of Lyme disease, just as well as a synthetic repellant.
So, you should definitely try mixing rosemary extract or oil into a
spray bottle with water as a bug repellant on your next hiking trip!
5. Rosemary Offers Some Cancer Protection
Oxidative stress is believed to be one of
the contributing factors of degenerative diseases, including cancer, and
antioxidant-rich rosemary may be able to prevent the development of
cancerous growths. Studies of leukemia and breast cancer have revealed a
positive effect of rosemary extract.
Interestingly, there's also some evidence that adding rosemary to ground
beef while cooking may decrease the number of cancer-causing compounds
that appear during the cooking process, so it might be useful to start
adding rosemary to your burger patties, too, just in case.
6. Rosemary Improves Digestion
Rosemary tea is famous, especially in
European countries, as a remedy for symptoms of indigestion, especially
heartburn and flatulence. It is also said to improve the appetite in
people who have trouble regaining it. It is unclear what compounds in
rosemary are responsible for the beneficial effects, but in Germany, the
herb is an approved treatment of indigestion.
7. Rosemary Promotes Hair Growth
One of the most traditional uses of
rosemary is for hair loss and scalp issues, such as dandruff, by adding
in a few drops of the oil mixed with a carrier oil (such as grapeseed
oil, for example) and rubbing into the scalp daily. Research shows that
rosemary essential oil is just as effective as minoxidil, the active
ingredient in many hair growth treatments, at promoting hair growth in
male pattern baldness.
The oil is likewise effective at improving hair growth in patchy hair
loss, showing a 40% improvement on average after 7 months of use in one
research article.
8. Rosemary Helps Prevent Kidney Damage in Diabetic
Diabetic patients often suffer from renal
damage as a result of their condition, and research suggests that a
commercially available blend of rosemary and other herbs can potentially
decrease the damage when combined with standard anti-diabetic
treatments. Rosemary herbal tea is likewise said to be beneficial for
the kidneys.
9. Helps Concentration and Memory
Applying a few drops of rosemary essential
oil on one's wrists before reading or doing a demanding activity could
potentially increase alertness and concentration, whereas consuming
rosemary extract daily was shown to improve memory in young adults. It
has been suggested that this might be the case because the smell of the
herb somehow slows down the destruction of acetylcholine, a
neurotransmitter that plays a role in memory and concentration.
It has also been suggested that rosemary aromatherapy can decrease
stress levels, but it doesn't seem to apply to all people, as some
participants were actually more stressed after being exposed to the
smell of rosemary compared to base levels.
10. Improves Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure is just as dangerous as hypertension, and one of the
possible ways to raise both the systolic (top number) and diastolic
(bottom number) blood pressure is rosemary oil. Administering the oil
three times a day was shown to increase the blood pressure, an effect
that stopped when the treatment was discontinued, which suggests it was
indeed effective.
11. Protects Skin from Sunburns
Sunscreen is the best way to prevent sunburns, of course, but if you
want to further boost the effectiveness of sunscreen, especially if
you're planning to spend a lot of time outdoors, rosemary is your herb
of choice. While the effectiveness of rosemary for sunburn prevention
has only been tested on a product that also contained grapefruit
extract, but consuming the herb alone may also be beneficial at boosting
your natural sun protection.
12. Rosemary Is Beneficial for Relieving Gum Disease Symptoms
The antimicrobial effects of rosemary make it an excellent ingredient in
mouthwash. One study even showed that a mouthwash that contained
rosemary and other herbs was just as effective as chlorhexidine
mouthwash at relieving symptoms of gum disease, such as swelling, pain,
and redness. To make your own rosemary mouthwash, you can simply add a
few drops of rosemary oil into any mouthwash you're using.
Who Shouldn't Use Rosemary
Pregnant women, people suffering from high blood pressure, and those who take
blood-thinning medications, lithium, and diuretics should consult their
doctor before using rosemary oil or any supplement that contains
rosemary, as this herb can affect the effectiveness of your medication
or your health if not taken under strict supervision.