Rosemary is grown in pots, vegetable gardens and gardens, and is present on tables as a spice to add a special flavor to dishes. The cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries also exploit its many properties. But, if there’s one area where rosemary really stands out, it’s in folk medicine: it’s one of the species with the greatest number of medicinal applications — useful for balancing mood, improving memory, reducing headaches, and inducing sleep, among many other functions.
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Scientifically known as Rosmarinus officinalis L., this perennial aromatic plant belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which also includes species such as mint, thyme, and sage. It is characterized by its dense shape and its ability to grow in all types of soil. According to academic records, it is estimated to originate from the Mediterranean and Caucasus regions.
Hundreds of years ago, the Romans offered rosemary to the gods and used it for its calming and relaxing effects. Myths also claim that the Greeks ate it before exams, convinced that the plant helped them speed up their memory. These episodes and others have contributed to the fact that rosemary is grown all over the world today.
It is a plant that contains a large amount of biologically active compounds that benefit the body. Raul Murray, a physician specializing in nutrition and former president of the Argentine Society of Nutritionists (SAMENUT), highlights that the nutritional profile of rosemary includes polyphenols such as rosmarinic, carnosic and ursolic acids, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects.
– It also contains essential oils such as 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, camphor and borneol, which provide respiratory, antimicrobial and cognitive benefits. These compounds help understand why rosemary is used in gastronomy, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, and in topical formulations to treat muscle or circulatory pain – explains Murray.
In the “Hippocratic Treatises” Hippocrates and other ancient authors mentioned the medicinal properties of the plant. One of the most valuable is treating wounds with ointments made from its flowers and branches, in addition to using it to relieve pain.
Another study entitled “Therapeutic Effects of Rosemary and Its Active Components on Nervous System Disorders” reveals a significant benefit, which is the positive effect on the nervous system and memory. The US National Library of Medicine also records that since ancient times, rosemary has been commonly used to treat insomnia, affective disorders, and depression. In the cardiovascular field, data are still scarce, but promising.
– Some trials have reported improvements in blood lipid and glucose levels after taking rosemary supplements – for example, 3 grams daily in a small study of diabetics. Another recent trial, in which participants took a daily infusion of rosemary for 45 days, described a reduction in blood pressure in hypertensive patients – a nutritionist reported.
The European Scientific Collaboration for Phytotherapy (ESCOP) suggests that rosemary may be useful in the treatment of rheumatic, joint and peripheral circulatory disorders. Murray also notes that thanks to its formula, it helps relieve mild intestinal discomfort.
It can be consumed in different ways: as an herbal tea or infusion; Season dishes with fresh or dried leaves; As an essential oil, either in a diffuser or diluted; And through nutritional supplements in capsules or extracts. According to Murray, the easiest way to get fresh leaves is from grocery stores, or dried leaves from health food stores.
Regarding quantities, the expert recommends not exceeding 4 grams of dried rosemary per day as a spice. He adds that fresh leaves can be consumed in quantities ranging from 3 to 12 grams per day.
— The infusion should not exceed two cups per day, and it is important to emphasize that the essential oil is not suitable for food consumption.