What is rosemary?
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub in the Lamiaceae family. Its scientific name is Rosmarinus officinalis, with “Rosmarinus” meaning “sea dew” in Latin, reflecting the plant’s coastal origins. Rosemary has been cultivated and used by humans since ancient times, with a history spanning thousands of years in Mediterranean cultures.
Characteristic
Rosemary has the following outstanding characteristics:
- Appearance: Rosemary is an evergreen shrub that can reach a height of 1 to 2 meters in the wild.
- Leaves: Rosemary leaves are needle-shaped, long and narrow, growing symmetrically on the stem. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, the lower surface is silvery and covered with fine hairs.
- Flowers: Rosemary flowers are small, light blue or light purple, growing in clusters at the ends of branches.
- Scent: Rosemary is famous for its distinctive, strong and easily recognizable scent, which comes from the essential oils contained in the leaves.
- Drought tolerance: Rosemary is a drought tolerant plant, adapted to the hot, dry climate of the Mediterranean region.
Health benefits of rosemary
Helps fight inflammation
Rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are believed to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation.
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Rosemary helps fight inflammation
Laboratory studies have shown that rosemary is rich in antioxidants, which play an important role in neutralizing harmful molecules called free radicals.
Improve digestion
In Europe, rosemary is commonly used to help treat indigestion. In fact, the German Commission E has approved rosemary for the treatment of indigestion. However, it should be noted that there is currently no meaningful scientific evidence to support this claim.
Enhance memory
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Rosemary helps improve memory
According to research reported in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology , the aroma of rosemary can improve a person’s concentration, performance, speed, and accuracy, and to a lesser extent, their mood.
Cancer treatment support
Research published in Cancer Reports showed that “crude ethanolic (RO) rosemary extract” slowed the spread of human leukemia and breast carcinoma cells.
Another study, published in the journal Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, concluded that rosemary may be useful as an anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent.
Additionally, a report published in the Journal of Food Science revealed that adding rosemary extract to ground beef reduced the formation of carcinogens that can develop during cooking.
Anti-macular degeneration
Rosemary against macular degeneration
A study published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science , led by Dr. Stuart A. Lipton, Ph.D., and colleagues at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, revealed that carnosic acid, the main component of rosemary, can significantly promote eye health.
This could have clinical applications for diseases that affect the outer retina, such as age-related macular degeneration – the most common eye disease in the United States.
Good for the nervous system
Scientists have discovered that rosemary may also be good for your brain. Rosemary contains a component called carnosic acid, which can fight free radical damage in the brain.
Several studies in mice have found that rosemary may be helpful for people who have had a stroke. Rosemary appears to have a protective effect against brain damage and may improve recovery.
Dosage and how to use rosemary
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Dosage and how to use rosemary
Here are the standard dosages for rosemary:
- Rosemary standard: Each day a person can take in 4 grams – 6 grams of fresh rosemary leaves.
- Dietary supplement (capsules): 1400mg, 2 times/day
- Bath: Add 3-6 drops of essential oil to a full body bath or foot soak.
- Rosemary water (for shampoo): Add 1 teaspoon dried rosemary to every 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Let stand for 30 minutes and strain the herbs. Rinse your hair with rosemary water after shampooing to stimulate hair growth.
- For indigestion, high blood pressure and rheumatism: 1-2 grams daily, 1-3 cups daily as a tea or 2-4 ml taken 3 times daily as an extract.
Rosemary is generally safe when used in low doses. However, very large doses can cause serious side effects, although this is rare.
