The Many Health Benefits of Rosemary
In ancient days scholars wore a sprig in their hair. In modern days we’ve added this herb to oils, lotions, foods, and more.
If you haven’t heard the saying “He or she would forget their head if it wasn’t tied on.” then maybe you cannot relate to the problem of forgetfulness. Long ago my first husband came home one day from visiting friends and told me all excited “you will not believe who I saw!” His face was all excited, and at this point I am wondering who he saw, so I ask “Who?” His face quickly changed from excited to puzzled as he said “Oh you know, what’s his name.” I’m thinking if you weren’t going to tell me in the first place, then why even bring it up! But who isn’t guilty of forgetting?
In psychology class we may have been informed that we never forget, just repress, or have so many other things on our mind that we are unable to recall at that moment so we require triggers to jar our memory.
Thousands of years ago people used Rosemary to aid in remembering.
Sprigs of rosemary were placed in the hair of students while studying for exams. And still today research is showing that rosemary has the ability to aid in memory.
Rosemary Aids in Alzheimer’s Prevention
Rosemary or Rosmarinus officinalis contains rosmarinic acid among a dozen or so other antioxidants reported to prevent the break down of acetylcholine. Although, according to James A. Duke, PhD. We are not certain whether the acetylcholine deficiency results from Alzheimer’s or is caused by Alzheimer’s, we know that acetylcholine is a brain chemical or neurotransmitter playing “a key role in cognition and reasoning.”Therefore it would stand to reason that anything that would aid in the prevention of the chemical breakdown of acetylcholine, while boosting the choline to preserve brain tissues would be desired.
Use it Topically
The extremely versatile rosemary can be eaten, inhaled, added to bath water, oils, lotions and shampoos, brewed as a tea, used as a preservative for meats, and to season meats prior to grilling. It contains many antioxidants and mops up free radicals. Several of the compounds found in rosemary are responsible for retarding the breakdown of acetylcholine and can enter the blood stream through the skin and aid the body’s defenses.
Two Teaspoons of Rosemary Provides the Following Nutrients:
| nutrient | amount | %DV |
| vitamin A IU | 68.80 IU | 1.38 |
| vitamin A RE | 6.88 RE | |
| A – carotenoid | 6.88 RE | 0.09 |
| A – retinol | 0.00 RE | |
| A – beta carotene | 41.32 mcg | |
| thiamin – B1 | 0.00 mg | 0.00 |
| riboflavin – B2 | 0.00 mg | 0.00 |
| niacin – B3 | 0.04 mg | 0.20 |
| niacin equiv | 0.04 mg | |
| vitamin B6 | 0.04 mg | 2.00 |
| vitamin B12 | 0.00 mcg | 0.00 |
| biotin | – mcg | – |
| vitamin C | 1.36 mg | 2.27 |
| vitamin D IU | 0.00 IU | 0.00 |
| vitamin D mcg | 0.00 mcg | |
| vitamin E alpha equiv | 0.04 mg | 0.20 |
| vitamin E IU | 0.08 IU | |
| vitamin E mg | 0.04 mg | |
| folate | 6.76 mcg | 1.69 |
| vitamin K | – mcg | – |
| pantothenic acid | – mg | – |
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| nutrient | amount | %DV |
| boron | – mcg | |
| calcium | 28.16 mg | 2.82 |
| chloride | – mg | |
| chromium | – mcg | – |
| copper | 0.00 mg | 0.00 |
| fluoride | – mg | – |
| iodine | – mcg | – |
| iron | 0.64 mg | 3.56 |
| magnesium | 4.84 mg | 1.21 |
| manganese | 0.04 mg | 2.00 |
| molybdenum | – mcg | – |
| phosphorus | 1.56 mg | 0.16 |
| potassium | 21.00 mg | |
| selenium | 0.12 mcg | 0.17 |
| sodium | 1.08 mg | |
| zinc | 0.08 mg | 0.53 |
Courtesy of the World’s Healthiest Food’s Organization
Rosemary is an Easy Addition to the Diet
Rosemary can be added to your favorite dishes calling for tomatoes or tomato sauces, as a seasoning for meats and eggs, added to dressings for salads or dipping breads or brewed in tea
. For more healthy recipes go here.
Rosemary for a Host of Ailments
- A muscle rub for arthritis, and taken internally for the painful inflammation of arthritis
- To regulate the menstrual cycle, drink in a tea or eaten
- One part rosemary oil and two parts olive oil rubbed into the scalp for growth and health of the hair
- There are anti-bacterial properties in rosemary, so soaking a cloth and pressing it to the underarm aids in controlling offensive body odors
- Rosemary is one of the oils used by aroma therapists to aid in fighting depression. It contains cineole which aids the central nervous system
- To revive a fainting victim place a drop or two of rosemary oil on a cloth and place under the nose.
- For muscle soreness toss a bag of rosemary into the bath water and relax
- To keep skin more supple and youthful drink rosemary tea and add rosemary to your favorite skincare regimen
- Rosemary improves circulation and blood flow to the head and brain
- Improves concentration
- Reduces the severity of asthma attacks
- Boosts your immune system
- Reduces swelling.
So if you forget everything else written in this article, remember one thing:
Rosemary
Thank you, and be healthy
Liked it
Glynis | Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
Great info, thanks. We use Rosemary and lavender fresh sprigs in the car, it is great as an airfreshner, keeps you alert and calm. My dad has Atlzheimers and we noticed when he came to Cyprus he kept smelling the Rosemary, maybe he finds it helps him. I am a fan of Rosemary so this article was an interesting find.
valli | Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
Very useful information.
Judy Sheldon | Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
Glynis and Valli, thank you for your encouragement. I love herbs and spices so I will always be researching. I believe that God has many alternative medicines for us, if we would just look.
Glynis, I hope your father does well.
Take care.
Moses Ingram | Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
I have never used Rosmary, looks like it’s time I did. Thanks Judy.
louie jerome | Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
Great article, Judy, I Stumbled it for you.
IcyCucky | Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
Great article, and I love the smell of rosemary..
Judy Sheldon | Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
Icy, Louie, and Moses, thank you so much for your comments, and Louie, thank you for the stumble.
Icy, I love it’s aroma also, and Moses, you are welcome.
Take care.
quiet voice | Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
…Hi Judy, your article was so vivid,
I could almost smell the rosemary.
Thanks for the tips. Excellent work.
Take care.
Anne Lyken-Garner | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
A very well delivered piece Judy. Thanks for the information on Rosemary. I’ll try not to forget it
nobert soloria bermosa | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
hi Judy,very informative article, thank you very much
Ruby Hawk | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
I use rosemary in all my cooking. I like the flavor but I didn’t know it was so good for us, wonderful information.
KathySpring | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
Thanks For posting this, very helpful
great on chicken with olive oil rub
KathySpring
Judy Sheldon | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
Quiet Voice, Anne, Nobert, Ruby and Kathy, your encouragement is much appreciated.
Thank you and take care.
CHAN LEE PENG | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for sharing this comprehensive article!
Te'Love Page | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Grandma you always talkin about rosemary.
Judy Sheldon | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Chan and T.T., thank you for reading and encouraging. So, T.T., you were listening? lol
Take care and God bless.
Adam | Jul 18, 2009 | Reply
It’s interesting how many medicinal benefits Rosemary really has. The article really sums up just how useful this herb is. I’m a Herbalist with a broad knowledge of medicinal plants, yet I’ve somehow overlooked the potential of Rosemary until very recently. The herb has always been a favorite of mine for it’s culinary and aromatic properties, but now I am discovering a myriad of other uses. Consuming Rosemary regularly for all it’s potential health benefits (such like those metioned in the article) may well be a very smart thing to do (I take it in tea and capsule form and consume it fresh it in generous amounts in food. I also use Rosemary oil in a diffuser to scent the air!)
Thanks Mother Nature for this wonderous herb!!!
Judy Sheldon | Jul 18, 2009 | Reply
Adam, I’m a mother nature fan too. I would love to pick your brain being you are a herbalist. I have an absolute fascination for herbs and alternative medicine.
Stay well, thanks, and God bless!
Adam | Jul 21, 2009 | Reply
Judy, I’m always interested in sharing my herbal knowledge with others. Feel free to visit my website – adamofeden.ca -through which you can e-mail me any questions or comments you may have.
Take care and remember to include Rosemary in your daily regiment!
Judy Sheldon | Jul 21, 2009 | Reply
Adam, I confess, I went to visit your site before responding to your comment. I love it!! I will be spotlighting it shortly on my blog and I’ll be baaacck!!
Take care & God bless.
Mohammed Abdul Hafeez | Oct 9, 2009 | Reply
Dear Judy Sheldon,
Many thax for the article. I am a great fan of Natural/Alternative Medicine and herbs & spices are a great source of it. Keep up the good work. God bless you.
Regards
Mohammed AbdulHafeez
Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Judy Sheldon | Oct 9, 2009 | Reply
Mohammed, thanks so much for your support. I am a big fan of natural remedies and am forever seeking out more information.
Take care & God bless!