Rosemary For Our Brain Health

Rosemary is well-known for its culinary and aromatic uses. It is a popular evergreen shrub that is high in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial compounds that may give potential health benefits to our body (1). Its leaves can be eaten fresh or dried, and it is popularly consumed as tea or infused oil.

Studies About Rosemary And Brain Health

Rosemary contains a beneficial ingredient called carnosic acid, which can fight off damage by free radicals in the brain. There are even studies suggesting that the herb may help prevent brain aging, may improve a person’s concentration, performance, speed, and accuracy, and, to a lesser extent, their mood (2).

Moreover, it was found that rosemary extract may improve mood by promoting a healthy balance of gut bacteria and reducing inflammation in the hippocampus, the part of our brain associated with learning, emotions, and memories (1,3).

In a study, participants performed visual processing tasks and serial subtraction tasks while exposed to the aroma of rosemary.  Results showed that higher amounts of the rosemary aroma increased both their speed and accuracy in the task (4).

Furthermore, experts performed a study involving 53 students who were between 13 and 15 years old. At the end of the study, they found out that the students’ memory of images and numbers improved when the essential oil of rosemary was sprayed in the room (5).

In a study participated by 80 adults, results demonstrated that those who drank 250 milliliters of rosemary water demonstrated a small improvement in cognitive functioning as compared to those who consumed mineral water (6).

What’s more? Experts have found that there was a significantly improved memory in older adults who consumed a low dose, but not a higher dose, of dried rosemary powder (7).

How we can include more rosemary in your diet? Here are some of the few ideas we can follow (8):

  1. Sprinkle sprigs of rosemary over chicken, beef, or pork dishes.
  2. Boil fresh rosemary leaves with water to make rosemary tea.
  3. Add rosemary to roasted vegetables while cooking.
  4. Use fresh or dried rosemary as a pairing with pasta dishes.
  5. Mix rosemary into your butter and spread it over bread.
  6. Add sprigs of rosemary to lemonade for a refreshing take on a classic beverage.

Sources:

  1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rosemary-tea
  2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266370
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3700080/
  4. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2045125312436573
  5. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1016/j.ejbas.2017.04.002
  6. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269881118798339
  7. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2011.0005
  8. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-rosemary

Disclaimer

The watching, interacting, and participation of any kind with anything on this page does not constitute or initiate a doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Farrah®. None of the statements here have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products of Dr. Farrah® are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information being provided should only be considered for education and entertainment purposes only. If you feel that anything you see or hear may be of value to you on this page or on any other medium of any kind associated with, showing, or quoting anything relating to Dr. Farrah® in any way at any time, you are encouraged to and agree to consult with a licensed healthcare professional in your area to discuss it. If you feel that you’re having a healthcare emergency, seek medical attention immediately. The views expressed here are simply either the views and opinions of Dr. Farrah® or others appearing and are protected under the first amendment.

Dr. Farrah® is a highly experienced Licensed Medical Doctor certified in evidence-based clinical nutrition, not some enthusiast, formulator, or medium promoting the wild and unrestrained use of nutrition products for health issues without clinical experience and scientific evidence of therapeutic benefit. Dr. Farrah® has personally and keenly studied everything she recommends, and more importantly, she’s closely observed the reactions and results in a clinical setting countless times over the course of her career involving the treatment of over 150,000 patients.

Dr. Farrah® promotes evidence-based natural approaches to health, which means integrating her individual scientific and clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research. By individual clinical expertise, I refer to the proficiency and judgment that individual clinicians acquire through clinical experience and clinical practice.

Dr. Farrah® does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of any multimedia content provided. Dr. Farrah® does not warrant the performance, effectiveness, or applicability of any sites listed, linked, or referenced to, in, or by any multimedia content.

To be clear, the multimedia content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any website, video, image, or media of any kind.
Dr. Farrah® hereby disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental, or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is, and without warranties.