16 health benefits of rosemary!
Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb with needle – shaped leaves and pink, blue or purple flowers. The word “rosemary” comes from the Latin words ros (meaning “dew”) and marinus (meaning “sea”). Rosemary is used in many culinary dishes and is well used to flavor soups, sauces and meats. In addition to being used for cooking, it has also been used as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments over the centuries.
Studies have found that our ancestors were not wrong to use it medicinally. I think you will be surprised about the many benefits of rosemary.
Benefits:
1. Helps in cancer prevention:
Rosemary contains carnosol which is a potent anti-cancer compound. Studies conducted have shown that it has an efficacy against breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, leukemia and skin cancer. In another study with mice, they showed that rosemary helped to reduce the carcinogen in up to 76% of breast tumors.
2. Helps improve memory:
Rosemary has memory-boosting properties . Studies have shown that rosemary contains a diterpine called carnosic acid that has neuro-protective properties that help protect against Alzheimer’s disease as well as the memory loss that happens with aging.
3. Improves mood:
The same study that found that the smell of rosemary improved the test subjects’ memory, also found that their mood improved significantly compared to the control group.
4. Relieves Migraine Symptoms:
Rosemary has been a popular natural migraine remedy for centuries. Boil a little in a large pot of water and place in a bowl. Place a towel over your head and lean over the pan to inhale the steam for about 10 minutes. Because smelling rosemary can improve memory and mood, this method can also help with memory function and put you in a better frame of mind.
5. Helps in pain relief:
It not only helps relieve migraine pain, but the essential oil present in rosemary can also be applied for natural treatment of arthritis, muscle aches, and other aches and pains such as joint and muscle.
6. It is an anti-inflammatory agent:
It contains two powerful anti-inflammatories, carnosic acid and carnosol. One study revealed that these two compounds inhibited COX-2, an enzyme that causes pain and inflammation in the body. They also inhibited the production of excess nitric oxide, which also plays an important role in the inflammatory process.
7. Helps to strengthen the immune system:
It stimulates the immune system, thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.
8. It is an antibacterial agent:
Studies have found that rosemary has powerful antibacterial properties against H. pylori (the bacterium that causes stomach ulcers) and staph infections.
9. Improve digestive health:
It is often used to help treat digestive problems such as upset stomach, constipation, indigestion , and almost any other digestive related problem. It also helps prevent foodborne illness when ingested with food such as meat or eggs.
10. Helps in hair growth:
Early studies have shown that rosemary can stimulate hair growth. The study found that people with alopecia , a condition that causes hair to fall out, had significant hair growth after rubbing rosemary , lavender, thyme and cedarwood into their scalps for seven months. However, it is unclear whether this was rosemary or other herbs that caused the plant to grow.
11. Improves circulation:
Rosemary oil is often applied frequently as a natural remedy for poor circulation, although there have been no studies that prove this effect.
12. It has diuretic properties:
Rosemary is a mild diuretic, which means it can help get rid of bloating and water retention in the body. Additionally, rosemary , when used regularly, can help increase the flow of urine and help the kidneys function at optimal levels to help get rid of excess water in the body.
13. Improves respiratory health:
It is a great natural remedy for respiratory problems. Breathing in the scent of the essential oil can help with congestion due to colds, allergies, respiratory infections, and the flu.
In addition, you can also boil fresh rosemary in a pot of water, place it in a bowl, and breathe in the steam to help clear your lungs and throat. This will also help with headaches associated with respiratory ailments.
14. Helps with liver detoxification:
It has been used to treat liver problems for hundreds of years. One study revealed that rosemary extract reduced cirrhosis in rats given thioacetamide, a toxic compound that is toxic to the liver. It also prevented liver damage from tetrachloride in rats and mice.
15. It is an anti-aging agent:
It is a popular ingredient for anti-aging skin as it helps reduce puffiness, stimulates cell regeneration, increases firmness and improves overall skin tone.
Precautions:
For the most part, rosemary is considered safe with no side effects. However, pregnant women should avoid consuming large amounts of rosemary as it can lead to uterine contractions and miscarriage. People with high blood pressure should not consume rosemary as it can increase blood pressure.