Scientific Name : Rosmarinus Officinalis L. 

Common Name : Rosemary

Arabic Name : إكليل الجبل

Plant Family : Lamiaceae

Rosemary has a slightly minty, sage-like, peppery, balsamic taste with a bitter, woody aftertaste. Rosemary has a unique pine-like fragrant flavor that is balanced by a rich pungency, a combination that evokes both the forest and the sea.

Since it is attractive and drought-tolerant, rosemary is commonly used as an ornamental plant in gardens and for xeriscape landscaping, especially in regions of Mediterranean climate. It is considered easy to grow and pest-resistant. Rosemary plants can grow quite large and retain its beauty for many years. It can be pruned into formal shapes and low hedges, and has been used for topiary. It is easily grown in pots. The groundcover cultivars spread widely, with a dense and durable texture.

Health benefits of Rosmary

Maintains Gut Health

One study showed that in test subjects with colitis, treatment with rosemary extract was effective to reduce colon tissue lesions and colitis. This, in turn, helps maintain gut health and fight gut diseases like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and colitis. 

Aids in Digestion

Rosemary has traditionally been used as a natural remedy for upset stomach, constipation, gas, bloating as it helps in relaxing the muscles of the intestine.  Adding it to your diet can help you regulate your bowel movements and your gastrointestinal system. 

Hair Growth

Rosemary oil helps to promote hair growth, prevent baldness, slow graying, and treat dandruff. A comparative study published in 2015 shows that rosemary oil is effective in treating androgenetic alopecia (permanent balding) cases by boosting hair growth. At six months, a significant increase in hair count was noted for the group treated with rosemary oil. It also promotes healing by increasing microcirculation of the scalp and decreases hair loss after shampooing.

Anti-inflammatory

Carnosol and carnosic acids are two powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds found in rosemary that have been linked to reducing inflammation of muscles, blood vessels, and joints. This makes it an effective treatment and prevention of many diseases, including blood pressure, gout, arthritis, and injuries sustained during physical exertion or surgery. It is effective in oral or topical form. Furthermore, the reduction in inflammation in the cardiovascular system can help boost heart health and prevent atherosclerosis.

Enhances Brain Function

One of the earliest documented uses of rosemary was as a cognitive stimulant. It helped improve memory performance and quality. It is also known to boost alertness, intelligence, and focus. One possible mechanism for this action is that rosemary extract enhances the synthesis of nerve growth factor which is vital for nerve tissue. 

May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s

As per a research study published by Dr. Solomon Habtemariam, rosemary prevents beta-amyloid plaques and suppresses acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities. These actions are associated with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, ataxia and dementia. It has also been linked to stimulating cognition in the elderly as well as those suffering from other acute cognitive disorders. The research titled “Brain Food for Alzheimer-Free Ageing: Focus on Herbal Medicines” suggests that rosemary is one of the best foods you can include in your diet to gain neuroprotective benefits. 

Neurological Protection

The carnosic acid in rosemary has neuroprotective properties. A 2016 study suggests that it helps to reduce oxidative stress and overstimulation in nerve cells, ultimately protecting the nervous system. There is also evidence showing that rosemary protects certain parts of the brain from tissue damage such as ischemic injury, heals nervous tissue, and reduces blood clots. 

Reduce Liver Damage

Rosemary has been used for its protective effect on the liver in traditional medicine. A 2015 animal study published in the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences revealed that extracts of rosemary and olive leaves helped in reducing liver cirrhosis, likely due to their antioxidant activities. 

Reduces Stress

Rosemary may have a calming effect on those who suffer from chronic anxiety and depression. A study conducted on the anti-depressant effects of rosemary concluded that the herb is effective in improving symptoms of depression. These anti-depressant effects were observed even with repeated administration two weeks later. Furthermore, it may also reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, which helps ease tension in the body.

Balances Hormone

Carnosol in rosemary decreases androgen receptor expression and also disrupts estrogen receptors in cancer cells. It also lowers the release of  DHT (dihydrotestosterone) hormone, which helps improve prostate health and enhance hair growth. 

Anticancer Potential

The Nutrition and Cancer journal has published a study in 2015, which suggests that rosemary extract is very helpful in cancer therapy. Carnosol, rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and other rosemary extracts have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anticancer properties. They selectively kill cancer cells. It has shown promising results in the treatment of various cancers including colon, blood, breast, prostate, ovarian, cervical, liver, lung, bladder, and pancreatic cancer. 

Skin Care

The antioxidants in the essential oils of rosemary help improve the quality of the skin. It has a potent anti-aging effect and helps heal blemishes and increase the natural shine. Also, its extracts with citrus supplements prevent skin against UV light damage, much better than the supplements alone. In a research study on the effects of rosemary extracts on skin damage, Dr. Alice L. Pérez Sánchez states that the herb actually helps protect you against UV-induced damage through its antioxidant effects. 

Macular Degeneration

The presence of carnosic acid in rosemary helps to prevent age-related macular degeneration, which affects the outer retina of the eye.

Limits Weight Gain

Rosemary herbal extracts exert anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic effects and promote weight loss. Treatment with rosemary extract resulted in significant weight loss and increased fecal excretion of lipids. [36]

According to another study, carnosic acid-rich rosemary can be used as a preventive treatment for metabolic disorders. 

Antibacterial & Antimicrobial

Rosemary is specifically powerful against bacterial infections. It is linked to preventing staph infections, which are highly contagious and can cause lethal boils and blisters. It also eradicates various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria completely.

Due to its antibacterial qualities, rosemary intake has been shown to prevent the growth of H. pylori bacteria, a dangerous pathogen that is associated with gastritis, stomach ulcers, and some cancers.

Boosts Immunity

The active components in rosemary are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic in nature. This represents a three-pronged attack against many different diseases and pathogens that could threaten the immune system or damage the integrity of the body. Rosemary contains a significant amount of antioxidants including rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, betulin acid, and carnosol. Antioxidants in rosemary make a secondary line of defense behind the body’s own immune system.