Rosemary: 30 amazing health benefits and uses

Some of the health benefit of Rosemary herb include anti-inflammatory , anti-tumor, anti-cancer, anti-viral, boost memory and brain health, provide protection against harmful radiation, aid in weight loss and detoxification, useful in diabetes, anxiety control and depression.

Nutritional value of Rosemary herb

  • The  biological name of the Rosemary herb is Rosmarinus officinalis.
  • It is also known as Romero (Spanish),  Romarin (French),  Rusmari, Rusmary (Hindi) in many households.
  • A 100gram of rosemary has about 331 calories.
  • It contains proteins, water, phytosterols, dietary fiber, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Omega-6 Fatty Acids, Vitamins( Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate) and Minerals ( Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium).

 

Rosemary herb and oil uses with benefits

Health Benefits of Rosemary

1. Improve brain health

A short term study found that a low dose of rosemary (750 mg) has positive effect on brain. It significantly reduces the risk of decline of cognitive functions due to aging and give boost to memory.

In other study the aroma of rosemary  helps to enhance cognitive performance by improving overall quality of memory and secondary memory factors.

Carnosic acid and carnoso found within Rosemary, stimulates nerve growth factor(NGF) factor which is vital for the growth and functional maintenance of nerve tissue. This reduces the risk of many nerve degeneration related disease like Parkinson’s Disease.

Rosemary act as a neuroprotective agent which has a protective effect against oxidative stress in neuronal cells.

2. Antioxidants

Rosemary is rich in antioxidants that prevent the body from the damage of oxidative stress and free radicals.

3. Pain management

In a study, 40 arthritis patients were treated with the essential oils blend of  lavender, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint blended in proportions of 2:1:2:1:1. It has major effects on decreasing pain and depression levels. In another study, rosemary oil exhibit pain killing activity. It helps to relieve headache, muscle pain and arthritic pain.

4. Depression

Rosemary exhibits antidepressant action probably through the monoaminergic system. The phytochemicals found in rosemary has anti-depressant effect.

5. Aid digestion

Rosemary helps to stimulate digestion and eases the symptoms of indigestion or dyspepsia. In another study, the aromatherapy massage of rosemary oil  improve bowel movement and helps relieve constipation in the elderly.

6. Anti-inflammatory

Along with pain relieving property, rosemary has anti-inflammatory activity too which helps to deal and prevent various types of inflammation like arthritic pain. In another study, rosemary possesses topical anti-inflammatory potency similar to that of indomethacin.

7. Respiratory problems

In a study, rosemary helps to improve the symptoms of upper respiratory infections like sore throat, hoarseness or cough. It helps to prevent from lung disease such as lung inflammation.

8. Reduces stress level

Studies has found that smelling rosemary help to enhances free radical scavenging activity  and decrease the stress hormone, cortisol, which protects the body from oxidative stress.

9. Anxiety control

Drinking rosemary tea helps to prevent anxiety as it is rich in phytochemicals that act as an anti-anxiety.

Studies has found rosemary helps to increase alertness,  lower anxiety, improve the mood , makes one feel more relaxed and alert.

10. Anti-Alzheimer’s activity

Studies has found rosemary contains anti-Alzheimer’s activity which can have therapeutic effect.

11. Anti-bacterial and Anti-microbial

Rosemary act as anti-bacterial and anti-microbial agent in treating many bacterial and fungal infections. Studies has found dried rosemary leaves are effective in treating bacterial infection like  streptococcosis infection in tilapia without the development of resistance.

It is found effective against drug resistant bacterial, fungal or candida infections.

In another study, rosemary leaf powders have antibacterial activity against food borne pathogens.

12. Aspirin alternative

Long-term daily intake of rosemary and common thyme has an antithrombotic effect ( reduces the formation of dangerous blood clot), without prolonging bleeding time.

13. Protects the liver

Studies has found that  rosemarinic acid, a major constituent of rosemary, has antifibrotic effects on experimental liver fibrosis. In other study, rosemary helps to prevent acute liver injury and liver toxicity, and aid in detoxification.

Rosemary may have therapeutic value in the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

14. Anti-cancer

Studies has found rosemary helps to prevent  DNA damage and tumor formation in mammary gland. It has potential for use as a breast cancer chemopreventative agent.

In other study, rosemary and it’s constituents carnosol and ursolic acid inhibit skin cancer formation.

Another study states that rosemary leaves enhance the metabolism of endogenous estrogens and decreases their uterotropic effect. That makes it useful for endometrial cancer, fibroids, uterine cancer and estrogen dominance.

In a study, rosmarinic acid in rosemary has reversal effect on multidrug resistance in gastric cancer cells.

In vitro study, rosemary extract inhibited the proliferation of ovarian cancer cell lines by affecting the cell cycle at multiple phases and induce death of cancer cell.

In a study, rosemary may have therapeutic value in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

15. Protects from harmful radiations

Rosemary act as radioprotective agent. Studies has found that rosemary attenuates radiation-induced intestinal injury.

In other study, rosemary attenuates radiation-induced toxicity. Another study , rosemary has radioprotective properties against lethal effects of gamma radiation.

16. Helpful in opiate addiction

Studies has found that rosemary extract diminishes morphine withdrawal syndrome.

17. Diabetes

Rosemary is rich in antioxidants and has remarkable antidiabetic effect.

18. Aid in weight loss

Studies has found that rosemary can limit weight gain induced by a high-fat diet and protect against obesity-related fatty liver diseases.

Another study, rosemary prevents diet-induced obesity and perhaps metabolic syndrome.Rosemary uses and benefits

19. Prevent Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a specific disorder that involves the death of the neurons, that results in difficult in speaking, swallowing and eventually breathing. In a study, rosemary extract and its major constituents, rosmarinic acid  and carnosic acid has preventive effect on ALS.  In ALS patients, rosemary has significantly delayed motor dysfunction and degeneration of motor neurons,  and extended the life span.

20. Anti-tumor

In a study, the polyphenols of rosemary has anti-tumor effect, significant delay in tumor appearance and reduction in tumor size of myeloid leukemia, without any toxicity.

In vitro study, rosmarinic acid found in rosemary encourages cell death in human leukemia cells.

21. Sun protection

A water-soluble extract of rosemary protects human skin cells against UV-induced damage, and reduces the risk of photoaging and photocancers.

22. Protection against HIV infections

Carnosic acid, a component found within Rosemary, inhibits  HIV infection and DNA damage.

23. Effective herpes treatment

Tropical application of rosemary extracts exert has antiviral effect on all herpes family virus and against recurrent HERPES infections.

24. Dental health

Study has found rosemary extract are superior to the chemical chlorhexidine in preventing dental biofilm formation or dental caries. Rosemary leaves concotion is great mouth wash as it helps to eliminate bacteria and give fresh and clean breathe.

25. Detoxification

In a study, rosemary  has potential to decrease activation and increase detoxification of carcinogens. It contain strong  antioxidant and other components like carnosol or carnosic which help to detoxify all metabolic waste toxins including carcinogens.

26. Acne treatment

In a study, the antibacterial activity of rosemary  essential oil has found effective against acne causing bacteria.

27. Anti-ulcer

Rosemary exhibit anti-ulcer activity that can help to prevent and treat ulcer.

28. Melanoma relief

Due to anti-inflammatory and antioxidative constituents of rosemary, it helps to inhibit the growth of melanoma cells.

29. Improve blood circulation

Massage with rosemary oil helps to provide solution to all circulation and muscle spasm problems. It helps to improving blood circulation and alleviate pain.

30. Good for hair

Rosemary oil and rosemary tea have been extensively useful for stimulating hair follicles ,helps to achieve longer and stronger hair. It also reduces premature hair loss and graying of hair.