Rosemary

9 Health Benefits of Rosemary

Rosemary is a herb from the mint family Lamiaceae, which includes many other herbs such as mint and basil. The multiple health benefits of rosemary are not very well known, but the herb is widely used for the aroma and the taste it adds to food.

Rosemary is an evergreen shrub often used as a decorative plant in gardens to provide pest control effects. Fresh or dried leaves of rosemary are used in traditional Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. It is available throughout the year.

Nutrient Contents

Rosemary contains many nutrients that are beneficial.

1. Antioxidants: Rosmarinic acid - a powerful phenolic antioxidant

2. Dietary fiber: Good for the health of your digestive system

3. Essential oils: Camphene, cineol, bornyl acetate and borneol giving anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties

4. Folates: critical in a synthesis of DNA

5. Minerals: Calcium , potassium, manganese, iron, magnesium, and copper

6. Vitamins: Vitamin B (pantothenic acid, folic acid, riboflavin, and pyridoxine) Vitamin A and vitamin C

  • Saturated Fat: No
  • Cholesterol: No
  • Total Fat Content: 0.1g per 2g
  • Calories: 2 Cal per 2g

You can look into detailed benefits of the nutrients of rosemary in the following paragraphs. A summary of health benefits is given in the info-graphics.

health benefits rosemary infographic

Health Benefits of Rosemary

Rosemary does not just add aroma and taste to the food but it offers multiple benefits for your health including improved digestive and blood circulation system leading to better brain functioning. It relieves pain and protects you from infections. It reduces inflammation and relieves muscle pain.

 

1. Boosts Memory

Scientists have found that Carnosic acid in rosemary is able to fight off free radical damage in the brain resulting in improved cognitive performance. It improves memory and helps to increase intelligence and focus. That will help to keep young. It also means that it should help elderly particularly those suffering from more acute cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.

2. Detoxifies the Body and Improves Bowel Movement

Rosemary has been in use almost around the world as a natural remedy for constipation, stops bloating, naturally cures diarrhea and stops indigestion. In Europe and particularly in Germany it is approved by Germany's Commission E for dyspepsia. However, it should be noted that there is currently no meaningful scientific evidence to support this claim.

Adding rosemary to your weekly diet can quickly help you regulate your bowel movements and your gastrointestinal system.

Rosemary possesses mild diuretic properties to help flush out toxins more efficiently during urination by increasing the speed of water leaving the body. This helps excretion of all sorts of pathogens, salts, toxins.

3. Improves Mood

Its aroma can have an impact on improving your moods. The aroma has the capacity to reduce chronic stress and anxiety by clearing your mind and improving concentration. Rosemary essential oil is used in aromatherapy to improve moods.

4. Increases Immunity

The pathogens and free radicals that can threaten your immune system are dealt effectively by the the active components in rosemary. These compounds are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic in nature. The powerful antioxidant compounds such as rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, betulinic acid, and carnosol are immunity boosters.

 

5. Protects from Bacterial Infections

Rosemary has been shown to prevent growth of staff infections that causes conditions such as boils, impetigo, food poisoning, cellulitis, and toxic shock syndrome and H. pylori bacteria that causes ulcers in the stomach.

Due to its antibacterial capabilities rosemary works as a powerful breath freshener.

6. Reduces inflammation

Rosemary rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds is anti inflammatory. Two powerful compounds namely Carnosol and Carnosic acid have been linked to reducing inflammation of muscles, blood vessels, and joints.

Laboratory researches have shown that its rich antioxidants play an important role in neutralizing harmful free radicals that can help in treatment of human leukemia and breast carcinoma cells. The cancer-causing agents that can develop during beef cooking are reduced by adding rosemary extract to the ground beef.

7. Relieves pain

Rosemary has been used for ages to relieve muscular pains. Oral consumption of rosemary helps relieve pain such as headaches, migraines and spasm. Topical application of rosemary leave past can reduce muscle pain. The combination of aroma of rosemary and topical application on temples can reduce sever migraines.

8. Stimulates circulation

Rosemary has been shown to increase the blood flow to the head and brain, improving concentration and providing nutrients to the cells that require repairing.

9. Treats skin conditions

Rosemary leaves both internally and topically provide skin health due to its anti-aging properties. You can maintain youthful quality of the skin much longer. It also helps in healing blemishes and increasing the natural shine and hydrated appearance of your body’s largest organ.

Rosemary not only provides good taste and aroma but also offers multiple health benefits as you have read above. At the same time you should also be aware that overuse of rosemary can cause some serious health problems.

Excessive use of rosemary or consumption of rosemary essential oil can trigger vomiting and muscle spasm. It can lead to a condition called pulmonary edema in which fluid accumulates inside the lungs. The person can also go into coma.

Pregnant women should be little more cautious in using rosemary in excess as it may cause a miscarriage.

When we refer to overdose means excessive consumption of rosemary. Your normal culinary use is perfect so you don't have to worry.