Health Benefits
Rosemary is not only delicious in meals, but also has superb medicinal benefits!
Prevents Cancer
Hair Growth
Enhances Brain Function
Prevents Alzheimer’s
Neurological Protection
Liver Detoxification
Circulation and blood flow
Joint Inflammation
Digestive system
Antiobitoic properties
Reduces Stress
Balances Hormones
Protection against macular degeneration
Prevents Cancer
The Nutrition and Cancer journal has published a study in 2015, which suggests that rosemary extract is very helpful in treating cancer.Manganese, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and other rosemary extracts have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anticancer properties. They selectively kill cancer cells. It has shown promising results in the treatment of various cancers including colon, blood, breast, prostate, ovarian, cervical, liver, lung, bladder, and pancreatic cancer.
Hair Growth
The oil of rosemary promotes hair growth, prevents baldness, slows graying, treats dandruff, and dry scalp. A comparative study published in 2015 shows that rosemary oil is better than minoxidil 2% when it comes to treating androgenetic alopecia (permanent balding) cases by boosting hair growth. It also promotes healing by increasing microcirculation of scalp and decreases hair loss after shampooing.
Enhances Brain Function
One of the earliest documented uses of rosemary for health reasons was as a cognitive stimulant. It helped improve memory performance and quality. It is also known to boost alertness, intelligence, and focus.
Prevents Alzheimer’s
Rosemary prevents beta-amyloid plaques and suppresses acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which are primary causes of Alzheimer’s, ataxia and dementia. It has also been linked to stimulating cognitive activity in the elderly as well as those suffering from other acute cognitive disorders.A research titled “Brain Food for Alzheimer-Free Ageing: Focus on Herbal Medicines” suggests that rosemary is one of the best foods you can include in your diet.
Neurological Protection
The carnosic acid in rosemary has neuroprotective properties. A 2016 study suggests that it helps to reduce oxidative stress and overstimulation in nerve cells, ultimately protecting the nervous system. It is also known to protect certain parts of the brain from tissue damage such as ischemic injury, heals nervous tissue, and reduce blood clots.
Liver Detoxification
Rosemary has been linked to lower levels of cirrhosis and a faster healing time of the liver, which is one of the slowest organs to heal. It also reduces plasma liver enzymes, which may cause type-2 diabetes. Carnosol prevents liver tissue distortion. It also prevents depletion of liver glycogen, the energy storage molecules.
Circulation and blood flow
Poor circulation is a common complaint. You may notice it most in your hands and feet.If you experience cold fingers and toes — even in relatively warm temperatures — rosemary is worth considering. It can help by expanding your blood vessels, thereby warming your blood so that it reaches your fingers and toes more easily
Joint Inflammation
Rosemary is very helpful with reducing tissue inflammation that can lead to swelling, pain and stiffness as a result of rheumatoid arthritis and other joint-related issues. It does so by stemming the migration of white blood cells to injured tissues to release inflammatory chemicals. Thus, it is also helpful in reducing pain anywhere in the body.
Digestive system
In Europe, rosemary is often used to help treat indigestion. In fact, Germany’s Commission E has approved rosemary for the treatment of indigestion.
Antiobitoic properties
Rosemary increases the effectiveness of certain antibiotics. This may allow for a lower dose of these drugs, which could reduce side effects. Another helpful benefit is that it weakens the cell walls of antibiotic-resistant bacteria — not only damaging them but also enabling antibiotics to enter!
Reduces Stress
A study conducted on the anti-depressant effects of rosemary concluded that the aroma of rosemary alone has been linked to improving mood and clearing the mind. It has a calming effect on those who suffer from chronic anxiety and depression. Furthermore, it reduces salivary cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, which helps ease tension in the body.
Balances Hormones
Carnosol in rosemary balances androgen and estrogen hormones in the body. It also lowers the release of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) hormone, which helps improve prostate health and enhance hair growth.
Protection against macular degeneration
A study published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, led by Dr. Stuart A. Lipton, Ph.D. and colleagues at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, revealed that a carnosic acid, which is a major component of rosemary, can significantly promote eye health and help with as age-related macular degeneration – the most common eye disease in the United States.