Rosemary is a wonderfully fragrant and intensely-flavored herb which has a range of health-enhancing properties, making it an essential herb to have in the kitchen. It is a powerful detoxifier, and has a calming effect on the nervous system, boosting mood and relieving stress, as well as helping to improve memory.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an aromatic herb that has long needle-like evergreen leaves and belongs to the mint family. The essential oils contained in rosemary are what provide many of its medicinal benefits.

Traditionally, rosemary is known for its ability to improve memory. A compound found in rosemary called rosmarinic acid improves blood circulation, increasing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. This aids concentration, alertness and promotes relaxation. Research found that people performed better in memory tests and were more alert when they worked in a room smelling of rosemary.

Rosemary is known for its circulation-boosting abilities. It contains flavonoids, important for strengthening blood capillaries. It is also an effective tonic for the heart and digestive system, and is rich in bioactive oils that have an antimicrobial effect, making it useful in fighting colds. Rosemary contains minerals which help to fortify the immune system, such as iron, and its high levels of saponins have detoxifying abilities.

Rosemary is also thought to stimulate the adrenal glands to provide energy while boosting mood and relieving stress.

A compound in rosemary, carnosic acid, has been found to simulate nerve growth, meaning that rosemary helps build and repair the nervous system, strengthening it to cope better with stresses.

Health Benefits

Studies have identified a number of polyphenolic compounds in rosemary that have antioxidant activity, and inhibit oxidation and bacterial growth such as E. coli.

cancer

Research found that rosemary extract had a protective effect on human blood exposed to radiation, and showed strong antimutagenic effects, which is associated with preventing certain cancers. Furthermore, carnosic acid, the main polyphenol antioxidant in rosemary, combined with vitamin D, was found to reduce human leukemia cancer cell spread.

Prevention of Bacterial Growth

Rosemary oil was found to be highly effective against E.coli bacteria and is linked to preventing the formation of certain types of bacterial growth in foods.

Lung Protection

A study found that mice who were pretreated with an extract of rosemary prior to being exposed to diesel exhaust fumes has significantly less lung inflammation than those mice who were not pretreated.

Tips For Using Rosemary

• Rosemary is available in dried, oil and fresh forms. Fresh is preferable because it loses most of its flavor when it is dried.

• All varieties of rosemary are effective medicinally and for culinary purposes and because the plant is evergreen, its leaves can be picked all year round.

• Add chopped fresh rosemary to flavor lamb, chicken, fish and rice dishes, and to soups and vegetables.

• Rosemary tea makes a breath-freshening mouthwash and is an effective remedy for headaches. Roughly chop a handful of fresh leaves and let them infuse in boiling water for about 10 minutes.

References

• Del Bano MJ, Castillo J, Benavente-Garcia O, Lorente J, Martin-Gil R, Acevedo C, Alcaraz M. Radioprotective-antimutagenic effects of rosemary phenolics against chromosomal damage induced in human lymphocytes by gamma-rays. J agric Food Chem. 2006;54:2064-2068.

• Sancheti G, Goyal P. Modulatory influence of Rosemarinus officinalis on DMBA-induced mouse skin tumorigenesis. Asian Pac J cancer Prev. 2006 Apr-Jun;7(2):331-5.

• Sharaboni H. Cooperative antitumor effects of vitamin D3 derivatives and rosemary preparations in a mouse model of myeloid leukemia. Int J cancer. 2006 Jun 15;118(12):3012-21.

• Moreira MR, Ponce AG, del Valle CE, Roura SI. Inhibitory parameters of essential oils to reduce a foodborne pathogen. LWT. 2005;38:565-570.

• Inoue K et al. Effects of volatile constituents of rosemary extract on lung inflammation induced by diesel exhaust particles. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2006 Jul;99(1):52-7.