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Learn About Rosemary in 5 Minutes
by Katie Hipwell
Katie Hipwell
Table of contents
What is rosemary?
Rosemary, also known as Salvia rosmarinus, is a common herb used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. This fragrant, perennial herb bears small, pointed leaves that resemble pine needles, and once dried, these leaves can be prepared as an extract for oral ingestion. Research suggests that ingesting rosemary as a supplement could impart over a dozen health benefits including pain relief, neuroprotection, stress relief, and improved cardiovascular health.
Is Rosmarinus officinalis water-soluble or fat-soluble?
The beneficial compounds in rosemary are water-soluble, so they absorb into your body quickly and efficiently.
Where can rosemary be found naturally? Common sources of Rosmarinus officinalis:
In addition to consuming this herb in supplements, you can also consume dried rosemary needles.
What is the recommended daily value for rosemary?
Rosemary is not recognised as an essential nutrient, so there is no nutrient reference value (NRV) for this herb. In clinical studies, doses of up to 6mg of dried rosemary per day have been used.
Can you absorb enough Rosmarinus officinalis from food?
The only common way to consume rosemary in food is to eat rosemary-infused bread. Unless you intend to eat rosemary bread every day, however, you’ll find it hard to get enough of this beneficial substance from the foods you eat.
Why is rosemary necessary for your body?
Rosemary has traditional uses as a herbal healing tool, which has led modern scientists to study the potential medical benefits of this common culinary ingredient. So far, research has indicated that even inhaling rosemary essential oil is enough to provide beneficial effects, and it appears that orally ingesting this herb provides even stronger benefits. While scientists still aren’t sure how rosemary exerts all of its noted beneficial effects, a few different applications of this natural healing substance have been proposed.
Functions of rosemary
- Potential neurological benefits: Research indicates that rosemary may increase levels of acetylcholine in your brain, which is an essential neurotransmitter. Studies show that rosemary may improve concentration and recall.
Rosemary has been previously studied for its abilities to support memory performance and neurotransmitter production, which is why we've included 40mg of Rosemary Extract in Feel Focus.
- Potential hair growth benefits: Studies indicate that rosemary may be a useful treatment for alopecia, the scientific term for baldness.
- Potential pain relief benefits: Research indicates that rosemary may be as useful as acetaminophen at treating minor pain. This natural herb also shows promise as a potential treatment for inflammation.
- Potential mood and stress benefits: Studies show that rosemary may reduce levels of cortisone, the stress hormone, while also improving mental freshness and alertness.
- Potential cardiovascular benefits: Research shows that rosemary may improve circulation by helping your blood vessels expand.
When should you take rosemary?
Based on the available evidence, rosemary appears to be useful to people of all ages and backgrounds. This natural herbal supplement may be even more useful for individuals who are battling stress or having trouble concentrating in their day-to-day lives. Additionally, if you suffer from hair loss, you may want to try rosemary instead of conventional treatments.
How long do you need to take Rosmarinus officinalis to start experiencing its benefits?
Like most herbal supplements, it may take a few days or weeks of repeated supplementation to notice the beneficial effects of Rosmarinus officinalis, but many people who use this herb report immediate benefits.
Consistency is key and our research recommends taking your Feel supplements for at least 3 months to allow your body to adjust and provide you with the desired benefits.
How long does it take for your body to digest/absorb rosemary?
As a water-soluble substance, rosemary is usually absorbed into your digestive tract within 24-48 hours.
How long does rosemary stay in your body after you take it?
Water-soluble substances like rosemary generally only stay in your body for 2-3 days.
Is Rosmarinus officinalis an antioxidant?
Some research indicates that rosemary may have antioxidant properties.
Can you overdose on rosemary? What are the effects?
Ingesting excessive amounts of rosemary can cause nausea, vomiting, and (in the worst case scenario) damage to your kidneys and uterus. Ingesting this herb in reasonable quantities, however, does not cause any negative effects.
Does rosemary dissolve, flush out, or build up in the body?
The substances in rosemary generally flush out of your body within 2-3 days.
Can you take Rosmarinus officinalis during a diet?
Rosemary is a natural, vegan, and gluten-free substance, so you can take this herb even if you have dietary restrictions.
Are there synthetic forms of rosemary?
There are no synthetic forms of rosemary. Intriguingly, however, this natural substance is being proposed as an alternative to synthetic antioxidant preservatives in foods.
Absorption rate of synthetic rosemary
No data exist on the potential absorption rates of synthetic rosemary.
Why might natural forms of rosemary be better?
Natural rosemary is the only form of this herb currently available.
How to take rosemary
Rosemary is generally taken orally in the form of whole rosemary leaf or rosemary leaf extract. In clinical studies, rosemary essential oil has also been administered via aromatherapy.
Rosemary trends in medicine
A 2020 study indicates that rosemary may be useful as a treatment for allergies. This study found that rosemary extract improved the action of immune mast cells, which are involved in allergic responses. Also in 2020, a scientific review was released that summarises the results of recent enquiries into the potential neurological benefits of rosemary. The authors found that rosemary shows genuine potential as a treatment for anxiety, memory impairment, inflammation, and pain.
Sources
1. Plasma 1,8-cineole Correlates With Cognitive Performance Following Exposure to Rosemary Essential Oil Aroma
2. The Effects of Lavender and Rosemary Essential Oils on Test-Taking Anxiety Among Graduate Nursing Students
3. Promotion of Hair Growth by Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
4. Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy. Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata
5. Effects of Aromatherapy Acupressure on Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain and Motor Power in Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study
6. Smelling Lavender and Rosemary Increases Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Decreases Cortisol Level in Saliva
7. Effects of Inhaled Rosemary Oil on Subjective Feelings and Activities of the Nervous System
8. Effect of Topical Rosemary Essential Oil on Raynaud Phenomenon in Systemic Sclerosis
9. Attenuation of allergen‐mediated mast cell activation by rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis L.)
10. Therapeutic effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and its active constituents on nervous system disorders
