How important is the passage of time if we can maintain a healthy body and mind?

A recent discovery about Alzheimer’s disease determined that it is intimately linked to inflammation and this is mainly caused by poor diet and excess sugar.

So it is important to stop sweetening neurons and adopt healthy habits that help keep neurodegenerative diseases away as well as others that affect our body.

Did you know that rosemary can contribute to improving long-term memory?

For example, if you want to remember to perform a task at a certain time or send a birthday card to someone, the researchers decided to use rosemary essential oil to test in this regard.

The experience consists of scenting with rosemary a room where the volunteers were tested to assess their memory capacity.

Other volunteers performed the same tests in another room that was not scented with rosemary, and the results showed that those who had been in the rosemary-scented room performed better when it came to assessing long-term memory.

Rosemary essential oil could be used to improve cognitive function in adults, especially to strengthen the abilities to remember events and fulfill scheduled tasks.

But this is a new aspect that we can take advantage of with respect to rosemary, because it has already been used for many years for medicinal purposes that even today and increasingly are part of the preparation of homemade recipes ideal for combating different diseases.

Let’s get to know all the possible ways to make the most of this aromatic herb that should never be missing in a kitchen.

1) Liver and digestion: We know that bitter herbs have a repairing effect on the liver and promote digestion. Let’s not forget that rosemary was used for a long time as a beneficial plant for the liver. If we chew a few rosemary leaves and let the aromatic aspect pass, we will notice the bitter effect in the mouth.

This is because they secrete pancreatic or bile gastric juices that give better tone to the digestive smooth muscles.

Rosemary is part of the list of plants that stimulate the production of bile by the liver, thus evacuating toxins and also generate better contractions of the gallbladder to expel fatty bile.

We can then consider rosemary as a gentle cleansing plant with a fairly effective effect of eliminating toxins.

The aromatic compounds are also antispasmodic and antibacterial, soothing digestive cramps and eliminating the bacteria responsible for fermentations.

As far as the liver is concerned, specifically, it reduces the risk of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) and corrects the metabolic disorders associated with this disease.

In studies done on diabetics, rosemary exerts a hepatoprotective effect, because it protects liver cells against oxidative stress and destruction caused by certain substances.

It also helps lower cholesterol levels and protects the liver from necrosis and inflammation.

For those who suffer from migraines of hepatobiliary origin, rosemary can be used as a remedy for prolonged periods in which the liver was subjected to excessive eating or alcohol.

2) Antioxidant effect: Rosemary is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the plant world. Blocks the process of lipid peroxidation. In other words, it prevents the oxidation of lipids.

It is used by the agri-food industry to ensure stability in processed foods and, for example, it is approved by the European Community for this use.

Our cells are largely composed of lipids. Due to the oxidative stress created by various factors of modern life, our cells are often destroyed prematurely, which generates long-term external aging (wrinkles) but also internal aging (degenerative diseases).

Regular consumption of rosemary can protect cells against aging.

Lipid peroxidation, particularly LDL, is involved in the development of arteriosclerosis. The polyphenols in rosemary may decrease the risk of developing this disease.

A dose in the form of a morning infusion is the most advisable.

You can also include it during the cooking of grilled or roasted meats or fish. Rosemary prevents the formation of heterocyclic amino acids, a carcinogenic compound formed during the blackening of these foods.

3) Brain function: One of the functions in which rosemary participates and that has to do with brain activity, is the improvement of peripheral blood circulation that contributes to relaxing the smooth muscles of the blood vessels.

This can be helpful in seniors who suffer from cognitive problems due to poor blood circulation.

In addition, rosemary seems to act on certain brain processes that increase memory and improve cognitive activity. It inhibits an enzyme that slows down the breakdown of acetylcholine, which is an extremely important neurotransmitter.

Thanks to ursolic acid, it acts on the dopaminergic system and exerts an antidepressant effect. Some studies suggest that the use of rosemary may be helpful in treating nervous depression.

As far as Alzheimer’s disease is concerned, rosemary seems to have promising potential as it has a multidimensional effect of protecting and stimulating the brain sphere.

Some studies done with aromatherapy in people affected by Alzheimer’s disease, obtained positive results using rosemary and lemon oils in the morning, and lavender and orange at night.

Why not drink a rosemary and lavender infusion at a time when we have to make big decisions? These periods are often those dominated by stress, we disperse, and nerves prevent us from concentrating. Perhaps we will find in rosemary the clarity we need to make determinations.

4) Anti-cancer effect: Doesn’t it sound logical to think that if rosemary protects cells it can also be a protector against cancer?

Studies done on animals confirm this property even though it is difficult to transfer them to humans, but it is still an interesting theory to investigate.

Carnosic acid and carnasol are two compounds in rosemary that appear to inhibit prostate cancer, according to animal studies.

It can have the same effect on ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and melanoma.

Rosemary protects our cells from radiation and some studies have determined that rosemary is a protective radio.

Let’s not forget that today radiation has multiple sources: mobile phones, Wi-Fi devices, tablets, etc. Rosemary could be a source of protection against these harmful waves.

It also exerts a protective effect against damage inflicted by UV rays and in studies carried out on rats, rosemary was shown to be effective against light-linked macular degeneration and some scientists believe that it may even be effective in the fight against age-linked macular degeneration.

5) Cardiovascular protector: We fight hypertension a lot, but to a lesser extent others battle hypotension, that is, with very low blood pressure. Rosemary may help treat hypotension probably due to its high sulfur content. It is particularly effective in young adults who have weakness, lack of energy, and paleness in the face.

6) Natural stimulant: For some elderly people who have circulatory problems and some cognitive problems, rosemary consumed in the long term can improve this situation.

Many people are stressed due to the loss of their faculties, memory loss, and the inability to perform certain activities such as cross-words or retain simple issues of domestic life.

In this case, rosemary can help calm stress and lift your mood.

7) Astringent, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory: Rosemary is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal, but it is also a very useful astringent to treat all types of skin or infected and inflamed mucosa (mouth, throat, digestive mucosa) and in external application on the skin to treat a wound that refuses to heal.

Its anti-inflammatory action is also used by people who suffer from joint pain, by applying diluted rosemary essential oil externally. The method can be applied by preparing an infusion of rosemary that we will then apply to the painful areas.

Other uses of rosemary:

In addition to these uses that are extremely important and that in many cases are still in the study stage, you can also use rosemary for other purposes.

– Promotes digestion.

– Regulates lipids.

– Improves blood circulation.

–Antispasmodic.

– It has a diuretic effect.

– Reduces the risk of kidney stones.

– Reduces the risk of gout.

– Prevents rheumatism.

– It acts as an anti-stressor.

– Prevents fatigue.

– Prevents insomnia.

– It has an antioxidant effect.

– Prevents cellular aging.

– Prevents infections of the skin and genital area.

– Accelerates hair growth.

Preparation of rosemary for consumption:

To take advantage of the benefits and properties of rosemary you can boil the equivalent of a cup of water where you will add a teaspoon of dried rosemary leaves and let it boil for 10 minutes.

Strain and drink 2 to 3 cups per day.

Preparation of rosemary for external use:

As we said, rosemary is widely used for people who suffer from joint pain or rheumatism because it stimulates peripheral blood circulation.

Prepare an infusion in 1 liter of water where you will boil 50 g of dried rosemary for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool and strain.

You can apply hot or cold compresses soaked in this liquid.

You can also apply a warm cloth soaked in a solution of vegetable oil and a few drops of rosemary essential oil to sore joints.

For a massage lotion, mix a few drops of rosemary essential oil in a bottle of medicinal alcohol.

You can also perform immersion baths by diluting an infusion of 1 liter of water and 50 g of dried rosemary or 10 drops of essential oil that you should also add to warm water. It is particularly recommended to do this in the morning.

Some call rosemary “the herb of memory” and others “the anti-aging elixir”. Regardless of the name we can give it, we know that rosemary has positive effects both physically and mentally that we should not miss.

In addition, it has an exquisite aroma that can even perfume our environments.

Do you know of other positive effects of rosemary? Be sure to share your experience with us and pass this information on to those who may need it.