Remedies Using Rosemary Herb

Besides being added and used in culinary, rosemary herb or rosmarinus officinalis have shown to provide many medicinal uses. The healing properties of rosemary leaves were first mentioned in a book written around the 1500s.

Rosemary which is an aromatic mint shrub contains several active compounds including carnosic acid, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid. This herb has antispasmodic, anti fungal, astringent, anti-oxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Rosemary herb is used in folk and herbal medicine in the treatment of and to support many health problems, conditions and illness. Some of these claims have been supported by scientific studies.

Memory and mental health

Studies have shown that rosemary extract may help treat memory dysfunction due to the presence of natural acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors. Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors slow down the breakdown of a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine which is which is important for memory and thinking. A deficiency of acetylcholine may result in mental diseases affecting memory such as Alzheimer.

Adding rosemary in your diet or taking rosemary supplements may help maintain brain health, memory functioning, mental vitality, concentration and clarity of thought. Rosemary leaves extract is available in the form of capsules, herbal tea or tonic that may include sage herb or gotu kola.

Rosemary essential oil when used in aromatherapy may invigorate and stimulate your senses, help you overcome fatigue and balance your mood.

Healthy hair growth

Rosemary herb extract is also used as an ingredient for hair care products such as hair oil and lice shampoo. This is because the active compounds in rosemary stimulate hair follicles to promote healthy hair growth and repel head lice. Rosemary is also used in the treatment of dry hair and dry scalp, itchy scalp, dandruff and scalp psoriasis.

A randomized trial found that rosemary essential oil was able to treat alopecia areata or spot baldness. This is a condition where hair is lost in small round patches especially on the scalp.

Skin care

Rosemary is also an herb that is used as a remedy to treat skin problems such as acne, blemishes, dry skin and eczema. But one of the best uses of rosemary oil which is obtained from rosemary leaves is its anti aging qualities. It also works well when in combination with sage herb and thyme.

The active constituents present in rosemary such as borneol, camphor, flavonoids and many others help fight free radicals that contribute to dry or mature skin, sagging skin and lines or wrinkles. Rosemary oil has the ability to stimulate cell renewal and slows down age related skin damage.

Improve blood circulation

Rosemary is also able to improve blood circulation. Poor blood circulation can cause problems and lead to varicose veins, hardening of the arteries or arteriosclerosis, hypertension or high blood pressure and spider veins. A healthy blood circulation will also assist in the proper flow of nutrients to the cells as well as removing toxic and waste materials.

Natural pain killer

The camphor present in rosemary herb acts as a natural analgesic or pain killer. This is why rosemary has been used traditionally to relieve headaches, menstrual cramps and stomach upsets. It was also used to treat arthritis, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders.

New findings showed that rosemary herb may also assist in reducing the risk of cancer, stroke, rheumatism, yeast infection, Alzheimer and Lou Gehrig. Rosemary may also benefit the liver by eliminative toxins. Another study found that the active natural compounds in rosemary produce a diuretic effect and can improve the function of the kidney including increasing urine flow.

Rosemary essential oil is only meant to be used in aromatherapy and should not be taken internally. Please check with your doctor before you decide to add rosemary supplements or capsules especially if you are pregnant, have health problems or on prescription medication. Women who have heavy menstrual flow also should avoid the supplement as it may stimulate an overflow.

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