Rosemary is one of the commonly found herbs in a spice rack. This woody evergreen herb has fine needle-like leaves with a silver touch and white, pink, purple or blue flowers. Its leaves can be used to prepare, essential oil, teas, and liquid extract.
Though rosemary has a warm, bitter m and astringent taste, it has been a popular culinary herb. It can give wonderful flavor as well as aroma to stews, roasts, sauces, soups, sandwiches, and dips.
Rosemary has been found to contain powerful anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and disinfectant properties which make it an effective remedy against bacteria, fungi, and cancer. The oil extracted from this plant can preserve and enhance cognitive functioning, including memory.
Benefits You Can Obtain From Rosemary
Strengthens The Immune System
Rosemary contains phytochemicals such as betulinic acid, rosmarinic acid, carnosol, and caffeic acid with anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
These compounds help neutralize free radicals which cause cellular damage and oxidative stress.
Consuming 1 to 2 cups rosemary tea a day can provide your body with a powerful defense against diseases and pathogens that affect your immune system, such as common cold and cough.
Stimulates Hair Growth
The herb helps improve blood circulation to the scalp thus encouraging your hair to grow long and strong. Rosemary was also found to be effective in rejuvenating nerves in the scalp, which in turn restores hair growth.
Add a handful of fresh rosemary to 2 to 3 cups of hot water and let it steep for 15 minutes. Remove the herb and let the liquid cool down. Use it as a hair rinse a few times a week.
Combat Wrinkles
Rosemary oil, along with all the other antioxidant-rich oils, can help promote skin cell regeneration and wards off the harmful free radicals that cause premature skin aging.
Simply mix equal parts of rosemary, sandalwood, lavender, geranium, and lemon essential oils. Dilute the concoction as needed and use it topically to banish wrinkles.
Prevents High Blood Sugar
Rosemary extracts have been found to help lower fasting plasma glucose and cholesterol levels, thereby helping manage type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions. All you have to do is to drink a cup of rosemary tea daily.
Combats Anxiety And Stress
According to research, the sweet aroma of rosemary has a calming effect, can provide relief from stress, and can make you feel fresh, cheerful, and alert.
Fight anxiety and stress by adding a few drops of rosemary essential oil in an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporizer. Place it in your bedroom at a safe distance, so that the calming vapors can help induce a deep and peaceful slumber.
Improves Blood Flow
Rosemary improves the movement of blood which in turn, boost metabolic activities in your body and helps supply the needed nutrients to all the vital organs.
Drinking rosemary tea on a regular basis can help promote circulation. You can also use rosemary-infused oil in massaging your affected limbs.
Helps Enhance Your Memory
Rosemary can help improve memory and mental focus. It can also protect you against
neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Add 2 or 3 drops of rosemary oil to your handkerchief and breath in its aroma. You can also start drinking rosemary tea.
Reduces Inflammation And Headache
Due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, rosemary can reduce pain and inflammation.
Rosemary can help you with various health issues such as stiff neck, gout pain, arthritis pain, back pain, sciatic nerve pain, and menstrual pain. Moreover, rosemary has also been used for centuries as a headache remedy.
Simply smell its aroma or massage your forehead and temples with a few drops of rosemary oil mixed in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil.
For arthritic pain, make 1 to 2 cups of rosemary tea, soak a washcloth in it, and place the washcloth on the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this a few times daily until you have achieved desired results.
Prevents Liver Damage
Since the liver is one of the most vital organs in the body, any damage on it can result in a complete shutdown of many bodily functions.
According to studies, drinking a cup of rosemary tea daily can help lower the risk of cirrhosis and speeds up liver recovery. Moreover, it also reduces plasma liver enzymes, which may cause type 2 diabetes and has carnosol content that is effective in staving off liver tissue distortion.
How To Prepare A Rosemary Tea
Add some fresh rosemary leaves in a teapot containing one cup of boiling water. If you prefer your tea mild and aromatic, then let it steep for 3-5 minutes. But if you like a strong and bitter-tasting tea, steep it for up to 10 minutes. Steeping it for a longer time will help draw out more of its healthy oils and nutrients.
If, however, you choose to use dried rosemary, the rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon per cup of boiling water.
