Most of us associate the herb rosemary with a succulent roasted leg of lamb! However, this humble herb has some interesting additional benefits that have nothing to do with eating and all about remembering.
It was known in ancient times
The scent and essential oils of the herb rosemary have been known and used since ancient times, since the 5th century BC to be exact. Even back then people knew scent could influence mood and that sniffing rosemary in particular also influenced memory and alertness. In fact, students in ancient Rome used to braid their hair with fresh rosemary sprigs during examinations to stay alert and attentive. Even Shakespeare, that venerable Englishman, got it right when he mentioned its medicinal properties in Hamlet: “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance: pray you, love, remember” says sweet Ophelia in Act 4 as she picks sprigs of rosemary and potters around trying to keep her bearings and stay sane. Rosemary was and is also used today as a mild painkiller and for migraine headaches and digestion.
Does it really work?
Before you start thinking this is just a bucket of rosemary scented hogwash, both ancient and literary, let’s look at some modern research findings.
Researchers at Northumbria University, Newcastle (England) have been studying the benefits of different essential oils and have come up with some interesting findings. They reported the discovery of higher concentrations of a compound, 1,8-cineole (a main chemical in rosemary essential oils), present in the blood of the people exposed to these oils and aromas as well as improved cognitive performance, especially the ability to remember events and complete tasks in the future.
The latter is called prospective memory and is absolutely essential for everyday functioning, such as remembering when and where to go, when to post a birthday card, to take your medicine at a particular time, etc. These findings imply that the compounds in rosemary’s aromatic oils could improve long-term memory and mental arithmetic and be a great help to people who suffer from other forms of memory impairment. More research is being conducted and scientists are pursuing the matter even further.
Enhance your memory, drink a cup of rosemary tea
Plant your own rosemary bush, it is so easy to cultivate and also very hardy. Make your own rosemary tea by putting one teaspoon of dried rosemary or a sprig of fresh rosemary into a mug and pouring boiling water over it. Let it steep for only a few minutes as rosemary tea can get very strong and remember to keep it covered to retain the essential oils and aroma. Sip and enjoy! Remember that rosemary will stimulate blood flow to your brain and keep you alert and focused, so don’t drink it late at night or before you go to bed unless you have definite plans to stay awake!
Sources
Going Back to School? Herbs that Improve Memory. 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.holistichealthherbalist.com/2013/01/07/going-back-to-school-herbs-that-improve-memory/
Hope, J. 2013. Why a whiff of rosemary does help you remember: sniffing the herb can increase memory by 75%. Retrieved from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2306078/Why-whiff-rosemary-does-help-remember.html
Munoz, G. 2012. Shakespeare was right: rosemary improves your memory. Retrieved from: http://scienceillustrated.com.au/blog/science/news/shakespeare-was-right-rosemary-improves-your-memory/
Onion, M. 2013. Sniffing Rosemary Improves Memory. Retrieved from: http://news.discovery.com/human/life/sniffing-rosemary-improves-memory-130409.htm