3 Benefits of Rosemary
Oh Rosemary growing in my yard
Your qualities I shan’t discard
To use your leaf when you flower
Gives it added healing power
Put his herb in my bath
That my muscles might relax
For my sciatica so sore
Your oil is what I’ll use that for
And if my tummy’s full of gas
Distended abdomen, alas!
I have dyspepsia indeed
A cup of tea from you I’ll need
When I suffer from headache
Your infusion I shall take
All of that and nervous tension
Improve circulation, might I mention
Your charms I see are multifold!
But not for pregnancy behold!
Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic
Spicy, cool and diaphoretic
Last of all, your culinary charm
Such good flavour will disarm!
Poem by Sylvia Seroussi Chatroux, M.D.
Did You Know?
Rosemary is a fragrant herb native to the Mediterranean. It is a member of the mint family along with other herbs like thyme, lavender, and oregano. It is not only popular in culinary arts, but research has proved other medicinal benefits of the herb. Let’s look at 3 benefits of rosemary and discuss
3 Uses for Rosemary
- Stimulate hair growth
The property of rosemary oil that is capable of stimulating hair growth has to do with increased circulation and microcapillary perfusion. One study compared the effects of rosemary oil to that of Minoxidil (Rogaine) and researchers proved that both have similar outcomes. Participants were observed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months and results after 6 months indicated that both groups had an increase in hair count
2. Repels bugs
Rosemary has been commonly known to repel bugs, more specifically flies and mosquitos. One study published in the Journal of Physics conducted a study where a volunteer applied rosemary oil to his arm and then placed it into a cage with 50 mosquitoes. The researchers noticed he did not get mosquito bites and so were able to conclude that the mosquitoes had an aversion to the rosemary oil.
3. May ease stress and improve focus
Historically, rosemary was used for cognitive benefits dating back to Greek and Roman history. Today evidence has supported this in a study published in Nutrition Today where participants sniffed rosemary oil for 5 mins and after which their saliva was tested for the stress hormone cortisol. The results provided evidence of a significant decrease in cortisol levels, proving rosemary’s calming effects. The participants were less anxious, more relaxed, and more alert.
What Should You Do About It?
First, talk to your doctor. Especially if you have a medical history or take any medications. Rosemary leaves for cooking and culinary use have a low risk of complications but it is the supplementary intake that is not recommended. You SHOULD NOT take rosemary oil orally. Rosemary toxicity is notably dangerous because it can cause coma and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). It is always important to exercise caution with herbs, so please talk to your doctor.
How To Make It SMART
SHORT- Implement rosemary into your lifestyle, whether in foods or in non-culinary ways like to repel bugs or stimulate hair growth. The only recommended way to intake rosemary orally is through seasoning food. DO NOT attempt to take rosemary in the form of essential oil orally
MEASURABLE- This will be based on the reason you are using rosemary. If it is for hair growth, take note of your hair length, texture, and volume. If it is to repel bugs, take note of whether your environment has fewer critters
ATTAINABLE- Is this something you want to implement consistently? Is it possible to change? You can implement rosemary in convenient ways. For example, using rosemary oil in a diffuser or mixing it with coconut oil to use on your hair. My parents used to grow rosemary in our backyard and if we were having a cookout or eating outside, they would place pieces of the rosemary plant around the table to repel flies from the food
REASONABLE- Is it possible to implement? Can you start to include rosemary into your lifestyle? Maybe you already put it in your food, or maybe you already use it for non-culinary purposes. Find a reasonable purpose to try it out
TIMELY- Commit to including rosemary into your lifestyle for 30-60 days and assess whether it affects you positively, negatively, or not at all. Especially if you are using it for hair, you will have to continually apply it and assess your hair growth over some time. Furthermore, if you are using it for stress, you will have to implement it multiple times and assess whether there is a trend in and around focus and improved memory.
Remember, choosing health is a lifelong journey and commitment, not a quick fix
As always,
Love yourself in health, one day at a time
