Rosemary herb what is it good for

A range of rosemary products is available for purchase online. The herb has been hailed since ancient times for its medicinal properties. Rosemary was traditionally used to help alleviate muscle pain, improve memory, boost the immune and circulatory system, and promote hair growth.

This Medical News Today Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods. Rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are thought to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation.

Laboratory studies have shown rosemary to be rich in antioxidants, which play an important role in neutralizing harmful particles called free radicals. In Europe, rosemary is often used to help treat indigestion. However, it should be noted that there is currently no meaningful scientific evidence to support this claim.

Scientists have found that rosemary may also be good for your brain. Rosemary contains an ingredient called carnosic acid, which can fight off damage by free radicals in the brain. Some studies in rats have identified that rosemary might be useful for people who have experienced a stroke.

Rosemary appears to be protective against brain damage and might improve recovery. Some studies have suggested that rosemary may significantly help prevent brain aging.

Another study, published in Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry , concluded that rosemary might be useful as an anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent. Also, a report published in the Journal of Food Science revealed that adding rosemary extract to ground beef reduces the formation of cancer-causing agents that can develop during cooking. Stuart A. Lipton, Ph. This could have clinical applications for diseases affecting the outer retina, such as age-related macular degeneration — the most common eye disease in the United States.

Rosemary is usually safe when taken in low doses. However, extremely large doses can trigger serious side effects, although this is rare. Rosemary oil has long been touted as a natural remedy for premature hair loss conditions such as alopecia.

Drinking rosemary tea may offer some of the same benefits. Rosemary tea helps to increase blood circulation, which stimulates hair follicles and increase hair growth. The increased circulation also delivers vital nutrients to hair follicles that help to build stronger strands. You can also use rosemary tea topically as a hair rinse or shampoo to boost hair growth.

A rosemary hair rinse can help to eliminate dandruff and remove product build-up that can weigh down hair. Avoid rosemary tea if you are allergic to the rosemary plant or another plant in the same family. People with allergies to aspirin or salicylate drugs may also develop allergies to rosemary tea. Use with caution and stop use immediately if you experience any symptoms of allergic reaction including runny nose, itchy throat, or difficulty breathing. Seek medical advice before using rosemary tea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Compounds in rosemary tea may induce menstrual periods and increase the risk of miscarriage and complications.

Rosemary tea may also cause uterine bleeding when consumed in high amounts. The rosemary leaf has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties that may worsen certain conditions including epilepsy.

Always talk to a healthcare professional before drinking herbal teas if you are taking medications or have serious health problems. Bring water to a rapid boil using a pan on the stove or a temperature-controlled kettle. If using a kettle, set the temperature to F. Add rosemary leaves to a tea strainer and place in a tea cup.

Add boiling water. Steep the rosemary tea for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the strainer and discard the tea leaves. Add sweetener if desired and enjoy! This fragrant evergreen herb makes a delicious tea that is also healthy.

Its been used for centuries thanks to its natural medicinal properties that help boost immune and digestive health. They have found that the two acids may have antitumor properties and even slow the growth of leukemia, breast, and prostate cancer cells 10 , 11 , Rosemary tea contains compounds shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. The two most studied compounds in rosemary are rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid.

When left untreated, high blood sugar can damage your eyes, heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Studies have shown that compounds in rosemary tea may lower blood sugar, suggesting that rosemary could have potential applications for managing high blood sugar among people with diabetes.

Though studies on rosemary tea specifically are lacking, test-tube and animal studies on rosemary itself indicate that carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid have insulin-like effects on blood sugar. Some studies show that these compounds can increase the absorption of glucose into muscle cells, lowering blood sugar 14 , 15 , 16 , Rosemary tea contains compounds that may help lower high blood sugar levels by exerting insulin-like effects and boosting the absorption of glucose into muscle cells.

Though studies on rosemary tea specifically are lacking, evidence shows that drinking and inhaling compounds in rosemary tea may help boost your mood and improve your memory. One study found that taking mg of oral rosemary twice daily for 1 month significantly lowered anxiety levels and improved memory and sleep quality among college students, compared with a placebo In fact, simply smelling rosemary appears to be beneficial.

One study in 20 healthy young adults observed that inhaling rosemary aroma for 4—10 minutes before a mental test improved concentration, performance, and mood Rosemary extract may improve mood by promoting a healthy balance of gut bacteria and reducing inflammation in the hippocampus, the part of your brain associated with emotions, learning, and memories Consuming and inhaling compounds in rosemary have been shown to reduce anxiety, boost mood, and improve concentration and memory.

Both smelling and drinking rosemary tea may offer these benefits, but more research is needed. Some test-tube and animal studies have found that compounds in rosemary tea may protect the health of your brain by preventing the death of brain cells Animal research suggests that rosemary may even support recovery from conditions that can lead to brain damage, such as a stroke Compounds in rosemary tea may protect the health of your brain — both from injury and impairment from aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

While studies on rosemary tea and eye health are lacking, evidence suggests that certain compounds in the tea may benefit your eyes. Animal studies have found that adding rosemary extract to other oral treatments can slow the progression of age-related eye diseases AREDs 26 , One study examined the addition of rosemary extract to common treatments like zinc oxide and other AREDs antioxidant combinations, finding that it helped slow age-related macular degeneration AMD , a common condition that affects vision Other animal and experimental studies indicate that the rosmarinic acid in rosemary delays the onset of cataracts — the gradual opaqueness of the eye that leads to blindness — and reduces the severity of cataracts Keep in mind that most studies on rosemary and eye health have used concentrated extracts, making it difficult to determine what effect rosemary tea may have, as well as how much you would need to drink to reap these benefits.

Rosemary tea may contain compounds that can help protect your vision as you age by slowing the progression and severity of diseases like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. While these benefits seem promising, more research is needed, particularly to determine what benefits drinking rosemary tea may offer. While evidence is limited, rosemary tea may contain compounds that benefit your heart and digestive health, support weight loss, and even help treat hair loss.

That said, more research is needed.