Rosemary is a common culinary herb used to flavor chicken, meat, and soups. Its scent is aromatic and faintly pine-like but Rosemary is a member of the mint family. Its name comes from the Latin, rosmarinus, which means “dew of the sea”.
Not only does it make an excellent spice for the kitchen, it also has a wide variety of health benefits associated with it. This is your guide to using rosemary to improve your memory, fight PMS, and more!
Improved Memory with Rosemary
One of the biggest health benefits of rosemary is its ability to improve memory. Centuries ago, students used sprigs of rosemary in their hair to enhance memory during study. It was believed that just the scent of this herb could improve their ability to concentrate and retain information.
Recently, scientific evidence has caught up with this ancient notion and confirmed it. Rosemary prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, a key component in the development of dementia. Rosemary also boosts choline, a water-soluble nutrient that improves neurological function and prevents inflammation.
A study published in the Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology suggests that the chemical compound 1,8-cineole is responsible for improved memory function. According to the study, subjects inhaled rosemary extract before performing certain tasks while their stress levels, mood, speed and accuracy were tested. The more 1,8-cineole absorbed into the bloodstream, the more positive the results!
Other Health Benefits of Rosemary
In addition to improving memory, Rosemary also has other health benefits associated with it. Let’s take a look at some more of them in detail:
- Migraine Treatment – Migraine’s affect millions of people and can be debilitating to live with. For fast relief, boil this herb for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and place pot on a heat-resistant tray or block. Place a towel over your head and inhale the steam for 10 minutes. Doing this regularly can help relieve the pain and inflammation of migraine, improve your brain circulation, and enhance your mood.
- Pain and Inflammation Relief – The health benefits of rosemary continue on in its ability to relieve pain and inflammation naturally. Arthritis sufferers can massage diluted rosemary oil directly onto sore joints for immediate relief.
- Immune System Booster – Rosemary contains antioxidants and anti-bacterial compounds that make it an excellent all-around health tonic and immune system booster. Drink rosemary tea during cold and flu season and use rosemary oil in a diffuser in your home.
- Digestion Improvement – For those with poor digestion, rosemary helps stimulate the appetite while improving your digestive system’s ability to absorb the nutrients from food. Its natural antibacterial properties make it an ideal herb for those who suffer from frequent stomach infections.
- Better Respiration – If you suffer from asthma, allergies or frequent chest infection, rosemary is a great herb to add to your culinary arsenal. Eating rosemary regularly can help improve circulation and decrease lung inflammation. For acute chest congestion, rub diluted rosemary oil on your chest and neck.
- Regulates Menstrual Cycle – Women who suffer from severe PMS and painful menstruation each month can find relief in rosemary. Rosemary contains essential minerals such as calcium and iron to improve blood circulation and B-complex vitamins to tame the irritability and anxiety associated with that time of the month.
- Anti-Aging – Maturing women will be happy to know that they don’t have to shell out $50-$100 dollars each month to erase those fine lines and wrinkles. Rosemary’s ability to stimulate circulation, reduce inflammation and puffiness, and fight off free radicals makes it a go-to choice for natural anti-aging. For an inexpensive, natural alternative to anti-aging creams, mix a few drops of rosemary oil into half a teaspoon of coconut oil and massage into skin.
- Improved Circulation – If you’re one of millions of people with chronic cold hands and feet, poor circulation is to blame. Rosemary and other essential oils such as lemon balm, thyme, and peppermint contain a chemical called rosmaricin acid, which has been shown to improve circulation when used topically or taken internally.
- Deodorant Properties – Do you have offensive odor at your armpits or feet? Rosemary has strong anti-bacterial properties as well as a pleasant scent to relieve body odor. Mix a few drops of rosemary essential oil into ¼ of a teaspoon of coconut oil and place underarms for a natural alternative to chemical-laden deodorant. For smelly feet, boil sprigs of rosemary for 5-10 minutes and allow the mixture to cool to a skin-comfortable temperature. Place a basin on a towel where you can sit barefoot and pour the mixture in. Soak for 15 minutes. (You can also do this with sage.)
- Infection Prevention – For minor cuts and wounds, rosemary oil can be used to prevent the development of infection. Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water and apply a mixture of rosemary essential oil and coconut oil before bandaging.
Side Effects of Rosemary
Rosemary is a safe natural herb with no known side effects. However, people with hypertension should avoid this herb without first consulting their doctor as it may raise blood pressure.
Whatever ails you or whatever mystery symptom you may be dealing with, you can find the remedy you’re looking for in nature. Whether to improve your memory or stave off premature aging, rosemary is the herb for you. Look into some rosemary tea and rosemary essential oil today for lasting relief with no side effects.
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