In the remote village of Acciaroli in southwest Italy, about one in every ten people is over 100 years old. Researchers studied the town’s incredibly healthy, long-living population and found that one thing they did was cook with lots of rosemary. The local version of the herb is especially pungent and reportedly smells ten times stronger than the one most people are familiar with. So, could this aromatic herb do more than add tasty benefits to a variety of dishes? Quite possibly.
The scientific name of rosemary is Rosmarinus officinalis. Rosemary is a fragrant evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean that now grows widely in much of the world, particularly in warm, sunny climates. The plant has long, spiky needles that are green on top and silvery underneath, as well as small, blue flowers. It is a member of the mint family, along with other herbs such as oregano, thyme, basil, and lavender. In addition to being available as a fresh herb, rosemary is sold as a dried whole herb, dried in capsules, as a powdered extract, in liquid extracts such as for teas, and as an essential oil. It is used to flavour culinary dishes such as soups, sauces, and stews, to make perfumes, and for its potential health benefits. Rosemary should be used as a garnish or final spice. Heating up rosemary can cause some of the beneficial components in it to be lost. The herb has been used since ancient times for its medicinal properties. It is also a good source of iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium and Vitamins A, C and B6. It is high in dietary fiber. Although the small amounts used to flavor food are not considered large enough to have a major effect on one’s health, regular addition of rosemary leaves to one’s food will allow the body to derive accumulative benefits from the compounds and phytochemicals in the leaves.
The active components in rosemary have multiple health benefits, including as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-carcinogenic. These four properties demonstrate that rosemary can strengthen our immune system and protect the body against many different diseases and infectious agents.
Rosemary is a rich source of a variety of antioxidants, including rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, betulic acid, and carnosol, which neutralize harmful particles in the body called free radicals, which can cause cell mutation, including the development of cancer cells. This is the second line of defense in the body, next to the immune system. Its antioxidant properties are also be good for your brain specifically. Rosemary contains an ingredient called carnosic acid, which can fight off damage by free radicals in the brain.
Rosemary is powerful anti-microbial, especially against bacterial infections, particularly those in the stomach. H. pylori is a bacteria which many people harbour in their stomachs without it causing disease; however, given the right conditions, can cause gastritis, stomach ulcers, and can even lead to cancer. Studies show that when there is an excess of free radicals in the body, H. pylori can cause disease. Rosemary has been shown to prevent the growth of H. pylori because of its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Similarly, it is linked to preventing staphylococcus infections (this bacteria typically sits on the skin and does not cause a problem unless it gets into the body’s internal system) which kill thousands of people each year because these infections have become resistant to most antibiotics. Using essential oils such as rosemary on the skin can successfully keep the numbers of staph bacteria down, diminishing the risk of these bacteria invading the body. The multiple, complex compounds contained in these oils prevent the bacteria from targeting a specific property of
the oil to grow resistant to, thus it does not lose its efficacy in fighting bacteria.
Because it works as an antibacterial agent, rosemary works as a breath freshener that also improves your oral health. Steep rosemary leaves in a glass of hot water and then gargle or swish the water in your mouth to eliminate bacteria, and you will have naturally fresh and clean breath.
Perhaps the most important function of rosemary is its anti-inflammatory properties. Carnosol and carnosic acids are two powerful anti-inflammatory compounds found in rosemary that reduce inflammation of muscles, blood vessels, and joints. Carnosic acid is able to reduce the levels of nitric acid in the body, which is a trigger for inflammation. This makes it an effective treatment for many things, including high blood pressure, gout, muscle pain, hemorrhoids, allergies, headaches, and arthritis. It also helps in healing from injuries caused by physical exertion or during surgery. It can be used either orally or topically to produce these anti-inflammatory effects. The reduction in inflammation in the cardiovascular system can help boost heart health and prevent atherosclerosis (plaque) from forming in blood vessels.
One of the earliest documented uses of rosemary for health reasons was as a cognitive stimulant. It was said to improve memory and helped increase intelligence and focus. Some studies have suggested that the carnosic acid in rosemary may significantly help prevent brain aging and helps to improve cognitive ability in the elderly, such as in stimulating memory. Studies show the ability of rosemary in preventing or slowing down Alzheimer’s and dementia by inhibiting the build-up of plaque in the nerve pathways of the brain. This is considered a breakthrough in treating these conditions that have always been considered incurable. Rosemary may be useful for people who have experienced a stroke, by protecting against brain damage and improving recovery from a stroke. The aroma from rosemary can improve concentration, performance, speed and accuracy of tasks, and mood. Drinking rosemary before work or school will enhance brain function.
Rosemary can also help with preventing the signs of aging on the skin through its antioxidant and astringent (tightening) properties. It can be used in its essential oil form; the leaves of rosemary can also benefit skin health by ingesting it or using it topically; it has been shown to improve the quality of the skin, while also healing blemishes such as acne, and increasing its natural shine and hydrated appearance. Because rosemary improves blood flow in the body, it also increases the blood flow to the skin, which improves its appearance. Studies have specifically looked at rosemary’s effects on eczema; the increased blood flow and rosemary’s anti-inflammatory compounds have lessened or eliminated symptoms of this skin condition.
Rosemary has mild diuretic properties; this enables it to flush out toxins efficiently during urination. Its ability to increase the rate at which water leaves the body can also help push out pathogens (disease-causing viruses, bacteria, etc.), salts, and even excess fat when consumed regularly. This cleansing effect takes the strain off the other organs in the body.
Rosemary is shown to be beneficial in speeding up the healing of the liver, which is one of the slowest organs to heal, it can help protect the liver from hepatitis and jaundice, and cirrhosis.
Carnosic acid can also significantly promote eye health. This could provide treatments for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, the most common eye disease in the United States.
Research has shown that rosemary extract seeks out and neutralizes free radicals, which decrease the growth of cancer cells; it specifically has been proven to slow the spread of human leukemia and breast cancer cells. Thus, rosemary may be helpful as an anti-tumour agent. Three compounds contained in rosemary, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and carnosol have been linked to specifically reducing the rate of growth of breast cancer.
The aroma of rosemary alone has been linked to improving mood, reducing fatigue, clearing the mind, soothing anxiety, and relieving stress. It also reduces stress hormone levels in the body, allowing people to relax. Whether the plant is eaten or applied topically using a salve of the leaves, it can have similar effects.
Rosemary’s anti-spasmodic effects are shown to help treat indigestion. In Europe, rosemary has traditionally been used by dozens of cultures as a natural remedy for upset stomachs, constipation, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It can also improve the body’s intake of nutrients by relieving inflammation in the gut. Using rosemary can help you regulate your bowel movements and your gastrointestinal system. The tea made from rosemary is the most helpful for one’s digestion.
Rosemary acts as a stimulating substance for the circulatory system of the body; it contains anticoagulant (prevents clotting) properties, therefore improves blood flow through the body. It also boosts the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry the oxygen we breathe to the rest of the body. In this way, rosemary helps oxygenate vital organs, ensuring they function properly, increases our energy, and also stimulates the movement of nutrients through the circulatory system.
As an analgesic (pain reducing) substance, rosemary has been applied on the skin in a paste or salve for hundreds of years to the area of the body affected by pain. Rosemary contains a compound called salicylate, which is similar to aspirin. When consumed orally, it acts as a pain reliever for headaches and pain from medical conditions. A popular use of rosemary is for the treatment of migraines. Boiling rosemary leaves and applying it to the temples, or simply smelling its aroma can reduce the severity of migraine symptoms. It is helpful for both acute and chronic pain.
Many people use rosemary tea or its essential oil to improve the health of their hair. Using tea made from rosemary, scrub the scalp and hair to improve the nutrient content of the hair, and also get rid of dandruff. The antibacterial properties prevent skin conditions in the scalp and promotes hair growth to prevent premature balding. Regular use of rosemary oil helps stimulate hair follicles resulting in stronger hair. Rosemary oil also slows down the graying of hair.
It has also been shown helpful for weight loss, relieving coughs, and improving gall bladder function.
Rosemary is usually safe when taken in low doses. However, extremely large doses can trigger serious side effects, although this is rare. These side effects include: vomiting, spasms, coma, pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). High doses of rosemary may cause miscarriage; therefore it is not advisable for pregnant women to take any rosemary supplements. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid using rosemary as some of the ingredients can pass through breast milk to the baby. For those who have a seizure disorder, rosemary can make this condition worse. If a person has an aspirin allergy, do not use rosemary, as it contains the same component, salicylate, as does aspirin. People with bleeding disorders should not use rosemary, as the anti-clotting nature of rosemary can make the condition worse.
As with all other herbs, rosemary is considered a medicine, and therefore interactions with other medications need to be considered. Rosemary can affect the activity of medications such as blood thinners, high blood pressure medications of the ACE inhibitor class, diuretics or “water pills”, and lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disorder (can cause toxicity of this medication). Therefore, having a discussion with your doctor before deciding to take rosemary supplements is vital.
Not only is rosemary good for our health, it can be used in the house as an air freshener; a mixture of water and rosemary essential oils can remove bad odours from the air. Scattered about the house, Its strong scent makes it a deterrent for pests and insects. Sprigs can be pressed inside books to discourage silver fish and placed in linen closets to repel moths.
HOW TO USE ROSEMARY?
Rosemary can be purchased in almost any natural health store if you want untreated or wild rosemary. However, for cooking, it is available in every grocery store, as it is widely used. You can also grow your own rosemary, in your garden or in your kitchen. It is a perennial, which means it will last for several years.
Rosemary tea is made by brewing the leaves and stem of the rosemary plant. Rosemary tea can be made very easily with a few sprigs of rosemary herb, hot water, and a natural sweetener. Unlike many herbal teas that require only the leaves to be steeped for a tea blend, rosemary tea is made by steeping both the leaves and the stems of rosemary. This tea can be made with either fresh or dried leaf. When making the tea, bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat. Add 1 teaspoon of rosemary (dried, fresh or powdered) into 1 cup of water and allow it to steep for 5–6 minutes. Strain it into a cup, and then add sweetener, if desired. If you use 1–2