Rosemary has been used medicinally for centuries and today, we’re unpacking the healing potential of this holiday favorite. (Even Shakespeare knew rosemary had some major mental benefits: In Hamlet, Ophelia says, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance: pray you, love, remember.”) In one 2017 study on 40 school-age children, the students in a room infused with rosemary oil scored 5 to 7 points better on a memory test. Separate research on adults2 supports these findings that rosemary essential oil can boost cognitive performance. Researchers believe this is because a compound in rosemary inhibits the breakdown of neurotransmitters3 responsible for encoding memories4 in the brain. The system interacts with cannabinoids, which are either produced naturally by our bodies or ingested from plants. It was discovered while researchers were studying the cannabis plant—so naturally, the most well-known sources of plant-derived cannabinoids, or phytocannabinoids5, are hemp and marijuana. We now know that a few other plants also contain phytocannabinoids, including—you guessed it—rosemary. The specific phytocannabinoid in rosemary is beta-caryophyllene6 (BCP). BCP has been shown to ease anxiousness, making rosemary a good addition to your stress-management7 routine. One small study in the journal 9Psychogeriatrics9 found that exposure to rosemary-scented aromatherapy improved cognitive function in dementia patients. While these results are promising, more research is needed to determine the full potential of rosemary for dementia. Inhaling rosemary was shown to elevate heart rate, blood pressure, and skin temperature10, as well as mood in a 2013 study of young adults, many of whom reported feeling stimulated and mentally fresh after inhaling the herb. When eaten with meals, rosemary may also support healthy blood flow, thereby aiding digestion and absorption. Additionally, many people swear by rubbing rosemary oil on their stomach to relieve cramping, but this has not yet been scientifically studied. Antioxidants act as a defense system in the body, fighting against free radicals that can damage our cells and accelerate aging. And rosemary is near the top of the list for herbs with the most antioxidants12. In fact, one small village in Italy credits rosemary for its large population of healthy people living past 100. In one randomized aromatherapy trial back in 1998, a mix of essential oils, including rosemary oil, was found to successfully promote hair growth13 in almost half of the study participants with alopecia. Another study found rosemary oil to be as effective as over-the-counter products14 for stimulating hair regrowth in patients with androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). If you are looking to reap the brain-boosting medicinal benefits of rosemary, smelling the herb’s oil is probably your best bet. Science shows that the invigorating chemicals in rosemary can be more efficiently and completely absorbed by the body through the olfactory system2. This is because it does not have to be broken down in the gastrointestinal system. So the next time you want a quick pick-me-up, try adding a couple of drops of rosemary essential oil to a diffuser or diluting them in a carrier oil before applying them to your wrists and inhaling the stimulating scent. If you are looking for digestive relief or hair regrowth, topical administration is the way to go. Just be sure to dilute your oil, since essential oils are extremely concentrated and can burn the skin when applied directly. Mix a couple of drops of rosemary essential oil with a carrier oil (like jojoba or grapeseed oil) and massage into skin or scalp for benefits. Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on August 22, 2018. A previous version of this article indicated that rosemary can ease digestive upset. We have since clarified this statement to indicate that rosemary has antispasmodic properties, which can relax the muscles of the GI system and allow for proper digestion. McDonough has developed & lead nutrition education programming in schools. She’s covered a wide range of topics as a health & nutrition reporter from the rise in the use of psychedelics for depression to the frustrating trend in shorter doctors’ appointments and the connection between diet and disease.
