Rosemary is a woody evergreen shrub member of the mint family. The name rosemary is derived from Latin: “Rosmarinus Officinalis”; “ros”, meaning dew and “marinus”, meaning sea. The name comes from the fact that the plant grows in seaside areas in the Mediterranean and Northern Africa.
Rosemary is a plant used medicinally for centuries by various cultures in and around the Mediterranean region. Egyptian Pharos were buried with rosemary, the ancient Greeks wrote about its merits, and the Romans introduced the plant to Great Britain.
By now you realize that this plant must have many important uses beyond its reputation as a cooking herb. Let’s take a look at the major benefits of this wondrous herb.
Rosemary Nutritional Facts
One of the first things that are worth examining is the basic nutritional benefits of this plant. Rosemary has an exceedingly high ORAC value of 11,070. ORAC value is a scientific measurement that stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. This is a description of the antioxidant capacity of a particular food.
In addition to its exceptional antioxidant activity, rosemary contains many essential vitamins and minerals. This herb contains vitamins A, B6, Thiamin, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, and magnesium. It also contains the phenolic compounds diterpene, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid and the essential oils a-pinene, borneol, bornyl acetate, a-terpinol, camphene, and cineol. Finally, this plant is high in fiber and healthy saturated fats.
Increases Mental Acuity
Rosemary has a historic association with memory and cognitive boosting functions. Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet says to her brother, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance, pray you love, remember.” Looking further back in history, Rosemary was worn in wreaths upon the heads of Greek students taking scholarly exams. It was even customary for rosemary to be added to the wine of newlywed couples to help them remember their marital vows.
Scientifically, there are several studies related to the cognitive effects of this herb. A short-term study of 28 adults with an average age of 75 was conducted using a computerized cognitive assessment test. Researchers found some surprising results. Low doses of rosemary (750mg) produced a statistically significant positive effect on memory compared to placebo. Higher doses of rosemary, however (6000mg), created a negative effect on memory. This study suggested that culinary usage amounts of this herb over the long term were the most effective for increasing memory in older adult populations. (1.)
Another study involving the use of aromatherapy with rosemary essential oil found a positive correlation with improved cognitive function. Subjects were tested for speed and accuracy in mental tests involving subtraction and pattern recognition. It was found that the subjects who received rosemary aromatherapy treatment had improved speed and accuracy on these tests. This showed that rosemary aromatherapy increased accuracy and speed in mental performance testing. (2.)
May Reduce Cortisol Levels
Rosemary essential oil appears to have a positive effect on the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is a catabolic hormone naturally produced by the human body. It is produced by the adrenal glands and serves many important functions. The benefits of cortisol include blood pressure regulation, reduced inflammation, and a well-functioning immune system. This stress-fighting hormone converts protein into energy under physical or psychological stress. When the stressor has passed, cortisol hormone levels should return to low levels. The problem in modern society is that we are under a constant barrage of stress every day. This causes chronically high cortisol levels, which are associated with obesity, heart disease, difficulty sleeping, depression, and memory issues. Obviously, this hormone is important to keep well-regulated.
A 2007 study using rosemary and lavender essential oils found that smelling either oil through aromatherapy significantly reduced cortisol levels and oxidative stress. Scientists had participants smell the aroma of either plant for a total of 5 minutes and then took salivary cortisol measurements. There were, however, some issues with this study. There was no control/ placebo group, and the aromatherapy session also included self-massage on the neck and feet. This makes it unclear if the reduction in cortisol was from smelling the oils or the massage. Although this study was poorly designed, other studies pointing to inhaled Rosemary’s positive cognitive effects warrant further exploration of this idea. (3.)
Protects the Liver
Rosemary leaf extract is hepatoprotective (liver protective) in cases of acute Liver toxicity. A recent study involving the effects of rosemary in protecting the liver from thioacetamide injections showed promising results. Thioacetamide (TAA) is a liver toxic solution that has been shown to produce cirrhosis of the liver. In this study, male Wistar rats were injected with TAA while concurrently receiving a diet that included rosemary extract. The control group of rats that did not receive rosemary extract developed impaired liver function and hepatic cirrhosis. The rats given rosemary extract developed significantly less cirrhosis and had better liver enzyme values. (4.)
Hair Regrowth
Although it seems unlikely, rosemary does help regrow hair in cases of male pattern baldness. Androgenic alopecia is a genetic condition that results from excess conversion of Testosterone to another hormone known as DHT. Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is an important hormone for the development of male sexual characteristics and is found in the highest concentrations in the scalp and prostate gland.
One of the most used medications for Androgenic Alopecia is a shampoo called Rogaine. This shampoo contains the active ingredient minoxidil 2%. Minoxidil increases hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp. It does, however, have some potentially unpleasant side effects though. Rogaine can cause itchy scalp, chest pain, swelling in hands and feet, rapid weight gain, light-headedness, headache, confusion, and dizziness. Due to these drawbacks, researchers looked at the potential benefits of rosemary for treating androgenic alopecia.
A six-month-long study of rosemary oil vs. minoxidil for hair regrowth found some interesting results. At the three months into the study, neither minoxidil nor rosemary produced any significant results. However, at the six-month mark, both substances significantly increased hair count. Both groups had an itchy scalp, but the minoxidil group had significantly higher amounts of itchy scalp. Rosemary produced equal amounts of hair regrowth compared to Rogaine, with fewer potential side effects. This suggests that rosemary oil can be a safe alternative treatment to regrow hair lost by androgenic alopecia. (5.)
Dosage
It is recommended to take 2-6g of dried leaf or twig per day as a tea or in food or 2-4ml of liquid extracts up to 3 times a day.
Overall, rosemary is considered GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the FDA and is safe for long-term consumption at low to moderate doses.
As with all supplements, consult with your doctor before taking rosemary if you are pregnant or nursing.
Final Thoughts
Rosemary has some significant benefits for human consumption. It is safe when used in small to moderate amounts and for long-term consumption. The best way to use rosemary is to cook with it, put essential oil in an aromatherapy diffuser, steep a tea with some leaves, or take a liquid extract. Rosemary oil is much stronger than the leaves from the plant and irritates skin and internal tissues. If you will be applying rosemary oil to your skin or scalp, it is important to dilute it in a neutral carrier oil such as jojoba oil. Essential oils should also never be consumed internally. Enjoy being equipped with this new information and find ways to incorporate Rosemary into your life!
Remember to come to Hummingbird Wellness in Boulder for further information or questions.
