Rosemary is an ancient herb that is commonly used today as both a food and medicine.
In traditional medicine, rosemary was specifically used for memory, pain relief, headaches, and as a stimulant for the nervous system.
Modern research demonstrates that rosemary and its active phytochemicals may be beneficial for inflammation, heart health, hair growth, and as a food preservative.
In this article, we will review the health benefits of rosemary, its safety, and its history.
Table of Contents
What is Rosemary?
Rosemary is an aromatic plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family, better known as the mint family. This herb is originally native to the Mediterranean region but is now globally grown and traded.
Rosemary’s Latin name is Rosmarinus officinalis.
The needle-like leaves are the most common part of the plant that is used. However, the woody branches that the leaves grow on also have health benefits
Rosemary has a potent, stimulating odor that warms the body and supports circulation. Modern research supports traditional claims that rosemary has anti-inflammatory, cognitive-boosting, and hair growth effects.
A variety of these therapeutic health benefits of rosemary can be attributed to the multitude of active constituent compounds present, including:
- Rosmarinic acid
- Caffeic acid
- Carnosic acid
- Oleanolic acid
- Camphor
- Ursolic acid
- Borneol
Presently, rosemary is cultivated and traded globally, but it prefers a dry Mediterranean-like climate.
Health Benefits of Rosemary:
Rosemary is a well-researched herb with a wide range of human clinical trials backing its health benefits. Many of its traditional uses are supported by modern science.
Below are the top researched-backed rosemary benefits for health.
1. May Have Cognitive Enhancing Effects
Evidence shows that rosemary has promising effects on enhancing cognition.
Brain health is important for maintaining the ability to learn, think critically, solve problems, and store information. Keeping the brain healthy can prevent mood disorders and age-related neurodegenerative diseases, which can impact memory recall and cognition.
In a trial involving Japanese men, rosemary extract was able to improve fatigue, mood, and cognitive function. After 4 weeks of administration, the extract was also shown to increase energy levels and mental clarity in the subjects.
A 2012 study found that rosemary powder has a cognitive enhancing effect in elderly individuals. Testing various doses, the researchers found that a 750mg/day dose increased long-term memory recall. It should be noted that the high-dose group that took 6,000mg/day saw a decline in memory recall.
In a trial with university students, taking 500mg of rosemary twice daily for one month showed promise for increasing memory performance. The rosemary supplementation also reduced anxiety and depression and improved sleep.
A combination