It is widely grown in pots, orchards and gardens. It is used on tables as a spice to add a special flavor to dishes, and even the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries have also echoed its multiple benefits. however, If something stands out Rosemary plant It is found in folk medicine; It is one of the species that has the largest number of different medical applications: it is useful for balancing mood, improving memory, reducing headaches, and inducing sleep, among many other functions.
Scientific name Rosmarinus officinalis L.This aromatic perennial plant It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, the same family in which species such as mintAnd thyme and wise. It is characterized by being dense and capable of growing in all types of soil. According to academic records, it is estimated to be native to the Mediterranean region and the Caucasus.
Hundreds of years ago The Romans offered it to the gods and used it for its calming and relaxing effects.. There are also legends confirming this The Greeks consumed it before taking exams, convinced that it allowed them to speed up their memory.. These, along with other milestones, have led to its cultivation around the world today.
It is a plant that It contains a large amount of biologically active compounds that are beneficial to the body. Raul Murray, a leading nutritionist and former president of the Argentine Society of Nutritional Physicians (SAMENUT), highlights that in the nutritional profile of rosemary there are polyphenols such as rosmarinic, carnosic and ursolic acids, which exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective functions.
“It also contains essential oils such as 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene, eucalyptus, and borneol that provide respiratory, antimicrobial, and cognitive effects,” Murray confirms. “These compounds explain why rosemary is used in cooking. PhytotherapyAromatherapy and topical formulations for muscle or circulatory pain.”He adds.
In fact, in his country Hippocratic treatiesHippocrates and other ancient authors mentioned the medicinal properties of rosemary. Among those who are more What emerged was the healing of sores through ointments made from its flowers and branches.It also highlights its use to relieve pain.
On the other hand, a study titled “Therapeutic Effects of Rosemary and Its Active Components on Nervous System Disorders” revealed that another important benefit of rosemary is its ability to treat nervous system disorders. Positive effect on the nervous system and memory. Furthermore, the US National Library of Medicine reveals that since ancient times, this spice has been commonly used to treat insomnia, affective disorders, and depression.
At the cardiovascular level, data are scarce but interesting.Dr. Murray confirms. “some Trials reported improvements in blood lipid and glucose levels “After taking rosemary supplements (e.g. 3 grams daily in a small diabetic study) and another recent trial—in which participants took a daily rosemary infusion for 45 days—described a reduction in blood pressure in hypertensive patients.”
The European Scientific Collaboration for Phytotherapy (ESCOP) informed this in a letter It can be useful in treating rheumatic, joint and peripheral circulatory disorders.. Dr. Murray adds that thanks to its compounds, rosemary is effective in reducing mild digestive discomfort.
This can be done in several ways: In infusion or herbal tea. 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 its fresh leaves is in grocery stores or dry in diet stores.
As for quantities“, the expert recommends Do not exceed 4 grams of dried rosemary per day as a spice; He adds that its fresh leaves can be consumed from 3 to 12 grams daily. “Your infusion should not exceed two cups per day. This is important to note Its essential oil is not suitable for food consumption.He says.