What is Rosemary Good For?

Rosemary is a fragrant evergreen herb native to the Mediterranean. It has been used for its medicinal properties since ancient times where it was traditionally used to help improve memory, boost the immune and circulatory systems, relieve muscle pain, and promote hair growth.

Because of its pleasant smell and beneficial properties its sprigs are commonly used as a culinary herb, while its essential oil is important in folk medicine. Rosemary is a member of the mint family and it contains a wide range of phenolic acids and flavonoids. It has been assessed in various studies because of its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Nutritional Content

Rosemary contains various vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which are responsible for its health benefits and include the following:

• Vitamin A which is necessary for a strong immune system, healthy vision and skin.
• Vitamin C which reduces the severity of allergic reactions and helps fight atherosclerosis, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. This is because it boosts the immune system and activates the B vitamins and folic acid.
• Phytochemicals
  • Rosemary contains rosmarinic acid, various essential oils (such as 1,8-cineole, borneol, camphor and α-pinene), phenolic acids and flavonoids which give rosemary its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic properties.
  • The diterpenes found in rosemary extract are thought to help improve memory and cognitive power.
• Iron which determines how much oxygen the blood can carry.
• Potassium which helps control the heart rate and blood pressure.
• Copper, calcium, magnesium and several B vitamins such as pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin and folate.

Health Benefits of Rosemary

The health benefits of rosemary include:

1. Neutralises harmful free-radicals

Rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds which have been shown to neutralise harmful free radicals, which in turn help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation. In fact it contains twelve antioxidants which act in synergy to protect cells from free radical damage.

Rosemary contains the antioxidant nutrient manganese which, working together with its cofactor superoxide dismutase, may help in lowering the risk of breast cancer.

2. May Improve Memory and Concentration

Studies have shown that inhaling rosemary oil can improve a person’s concentration, performance, speed and accuracy. This is because research has shown it may help prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain; an important neurotransmitter for thinking, concentration and memory.

Research indicates that inhaling rosemary oil may improve brain function in patients with dementia, but more research is required.

In addition, rosemary contains the antioxidant carnosic acid which may protect the brain from free radical damage. In fact, studies have shown that rosemary may be beneficial in patients who have had a stroke as it may protect against brain damage and also improve recovery.

3. May Help Reduce High Blood Pressure

Rosemary may be beneficial for patients with hypertension as studies have shown that it may inhibit the angioconverting enzyme (ACE inhibitor) which will reduce the blood pressure. ACE inhibitors inhibit the formation of angiotensin II which is a potent vasoconstrictor which raises the blood pressure.

4. Stimulates Hair Growth

Rosemary oil inhibits the enzyme 5α-reductase which converts testosterone to dihydrotesterone. This is the principle cause of male pattern baldness and so it may be used for its prevention.

Studies showed that when men with male pattern baldness massaged diluted rosemary oil into their scalp twice daily for six months, they experienced the same increase in hair thickness as those who used Regaine (minoxidil), a product used commonly for hair re-growth. In addition, the studies showed that the rosemary was better tolerated than minoxidil as less scalp itching was reported when rosemary oil was used.

5. Cancer

Test tube studies have shown that due to its high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, rosemary may be useful as an anti-tumour agent as it may slow the spread of leukaemia, and breast and ovarian cancer carcinoma cells. It may therefore be used in combination with medical therapy.

6. Protection Against Macular Degeneration

Studies have shown that the high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds (such as carnosic acid) in rosemary may help protect eye health. It may help protect the eyes from conditions affecting the outer retina such as age-related macular degeneration, which is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly.

7. May Help to Relieve Stress

The aroma of rosemary has been linked to improving mood, clearing the mind, and relieving stress in those with chronic anxiety or stress hormone imbalances.

The inhalation of rosemary oil may help to relieve anxiety as studies have shown that it may reduce the heart rate by almost 10%. Short term stress and anxiety usually causes the pulse rate to increase and so rosemary oil may be beneficial.

In addition to this, inhaling rosemary oil may also reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This is beneficial as high levels of cortisol may cause insomnia and may suppress the immune system.

8. Arthritis

Studies conducted in the University of Pennsylvania have shown that oils containing rosemary may be used to relieve muscle and joint pain associated with arthritis. In addition, preliminary research shows that taking a product containing rosemary, hops, and oleanolic acid may reduce pain associated with arthritis, though more research is required.

Rosemary inhibits inflammation by reducing the release of inflammatory chemicals by preventing the movement of white blood cells in to injured tissues. In fact, studies have shown that when rheumatoid arthritis patients were given 15minute knee massages with a rosemary oil blend three times weekly, they had a 50% decrease in inflammatory knee pain after two weeks, compared to a 12% decrease in those not given the oil.

9. Gum Disease (Gingivitis)

Limited research shows that using a herbal mouthwash containing rosemary and other ingredients twice daily for two weeks helps to reduce gum bleeding and swelling in people with gum disease.

10. May Help to Better Control Blood Sugar Levels

Rosemary contains phytochemicals such as carnosic acid which may inhibit the intestinal enzyme alpha-glucosidase. This enzyme breaks down carbohydrates, such as starch, in to simple sugars, such as glucose. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (such as acarbose) are oral anti-diabetic drugs which are used in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors slow down the digestion of carbohydrates which results in a slower and smaller rise in blood glucose throughout the day, leading to better control of diabetes.

11. May Improve Digestion

Rosemary is often used for digestive problems including heartburn, intestinal gas, liver and gallbladder complaints, and loss of appetite.

Summary

This ancient Mediterranean herb is one of the most popular culinary herbs which can be used in a variety of dishes. In addition, it has several health benefits due to its high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Though more research is required health benefits include improved concentration and memory, overcoming hair loss, stress relief, pain and inflammation relief and possibly prevention of some cancers to name a few.