What are The Health Benefits of Rosemary?

Rosemary, a fragrant herb that’s native to the Mediterranea region, has a warm, bitter taste that brings a pleasant aroma and flavor to plenty of foods. Additionally, the herb can also be used as a liquid extract or essential oil and in tea.

Aside from its aroma and taste, Rosemary is also known for the health benefits it holds. The aromatic herb has been used for hundreds of years due to its medicinal contributions. It’s a great source of vitamins B-6, A, and C, calcium, and iron.

Included in the potential health benefits of Rosemary are the following:

  • Rosemary often aids in digestion problems such as intestinal liver, gallbladder, and gas complaints, loss of appetite, and heartburn.
  • Rosemary is a rich source of anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants that help improve blood circulation and boost the immune system.
  • The nutrients Rosemary contains aid in protecting skin cells from any damage caused by free radicals and the sun.
  • Rosemary is incredibly potent against bacterial infections. It’s associated with averting staph infections.
  • Rosemary is deemed a cognitive stimulant and can aid in improving memory quality and performance. It’s also known to boost focus, alertness, and intelligence.

Rosemary as an Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil possesses a woodsy aroma and is a cornerstone in aromatherapy. Additionally, rosemary oil has a vast range of applications, from promoting hair growth to treating pains and ailments, making it helpful to have in your home.

Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil

pieces of rosemary

Enhance Memory

Greek scholars used rosemary oil to enhance their memory before their examination. A study recently issued in the International Journal of Neuroscience assessed the cognitive performance of 144 participants while using rosemary oil for aromatherapy. The study found that Rosemary oil significantly increased mental alertness and enhanced memory quality. 

Another research published in Psychogeriatrics examined the effects of rosemary oil as aromatherapy on 28 elderly Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and found that its properties can slow and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. 

Relieve Stress and Anxiety

According to research, simply inhaling the scent of Rosemary oil can decrease the cortisol levels in your blood. High cortisol levels are due to anxiety, stress, or any event or thought that sets your body into a “fight-or-flight” mode. Chronic stress can cause heart disease, weight gain, high blood pressure, and oxidative stress.

Instantly fight your stress by inhaling the aroma of Rosemary oil or by using an essential oil diffuser. Next, consider creating an anti-stress aromatherapy spray and spritz it into the indoor air or on your pillow at night to relax and relieve stress.

Reduce Inflammation and Pain

Rosemary essential oil has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit you by massaging it onto the affected area. Use it to create an effective salve that can aid rheumatism or arthritis, headaches, muscle soreness or pain, and sprains. You can also immerse yourself in a warm bath and add a couple of drops of Rosemary oil to the bathwater.

Combat Gastrointestinal Stress

The essential oil can aid in relieving various gastrointestinal complaints such as stomach cramping, constipation, indigestion, gas, and bloating. Also, it helps regulate the production of bile and stimulates appetite. In addition, regular application of Rosemary essential oil promotes gallbladder health and detoxifies the liver.

Promote Beauty and Hair Growth

Rosemary oil was said to increase hair growth when massaged onto the scalp by 22 percent. It stimulates scalp circulation and aids in promoting new hair growth in balding areas, preventing baldness, and growing longer hair. The essential oil also prevents and reduces dandruff, delays the graying of hair, and promotes shininess, making it an excellent solution for beauty and overall hair health.

Heals the Skin

The antimicrobial properties of Rosemary essential oil also effectively treat skin problems such as eczema, dermatitis, and acne. In addition, by nourishing and hydrating the skin while eliminating bacteria, the oil makes an excellent supplement to any moisturizer. Apply diluted oil to the problem areas as treatment. It won’t make your skin even more oily; rather, it eliminates excess oil from your skin surface.

To be safe, you should only take Rosemary in low doses. However, don’t consume it in extensive amounts, for it can lead to adverse side effects such as spasms, pulmonary edema, and vomiting. Please consult your doctor before adding Rosemary to your diet.

Treat Respiratory Problems

The essential oil, when inhaled, acts as an expectorant, relieving throat congestions from cases of flu, cold, or allergies. In addition, inhaling the aroma can combat respiratory infections due to its antiseptic properties. Also, Rosemary oil has an antispasmodic effect that aids in bronchial asthma treatment. 

Fight Bad Breath

Rosemary oil has antimicrobial properties, making it an effective solution to fighting bad breath. You can add a few drops of oil to your water, swish it around, and then use it as a mouthwash. By destroying bacteria, Rosemary essential oil fights bad breath and prevents cavities, gingivitis, and plaque buildup.