Rosemary, scientifically known as ‘‘Salvia Rosmarinus’’, is a member of the Lamiaceae family, commonly referred to as the mint family. This aromatic evergreen herb is native to the Mediterranean, Europe, Western Asia, and Africa, and has since been introduced to other warm regions across the globe. The plant, which can grow up to 1-3 meters tall, boasts dark green shiny leaves that resemble curled pine needles. Its white-pink and bluish-purple flowers are a magnet for bees and insects, blooming in spring and summer to refresh the air for all creatures.

The scientific name ‘Salvia’ is a Latin word meaning ‘to save or heal,’ indicating its nature bestows attributes in human life. People have used rosemary for its benefits for decades, but studies have supported people’s beliefs regarding its benefits in the past decade. In culinary dishes, rosemary adds woody, earthy mint-lemon flavor and minty aroma. Many scientific studies have shown that rosemary has a similar effect as minoxidil. Rosemary, like other family members, has many nutritional and medicinal benefits. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans used rosemary oil to sharpen their mind and improve their intelligence, and students used to put rosemary sprigs in their hair to improve their learning capabilities.  

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF ROSEMARY

Rosemary is rich in nutritional supply, particularly phytochemicals, which are suitable for maintaining eye health, promoting healthy liver function, and helping in reducing airway allergy; in addition to this, rosemary leaves also contain carbohydrates, proteins, calories, fats, fibers, B₁, B₃, folate(B₉), B₂, pantothenic acid (B₅). All these vitamins are necessarily crucial for maintaining healthy activities. We can add rosemary to different dishes as a garnish or condiment. We can use it to make a sauce that is good to go with beef steak; we can sprinkle it on roasted potatoes and vegetables to increase their flavor; we can add it to beef stew, curry, and pasta and can also use it to enhance the flavor of lemonade.

MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF ROSEMARY

From ancient times, rosemary has been known for its benefits of improving brain functioning and maintaining healthy central nervous system activity. In addition, rosemary is rich in magnesium, so it is a good source of promoting a healthy circulatory system. Magnesium is known for its ability to generate healthy blood vessels and promote blood clot production to stop bleeding.

• Diabetic patients can use dried rosemary leaves as a condiment to add to their meals or can take rosemary tea, as it helps maintain healthy blood glucose levels.
• For women suffering from PCOS or abnormal menstrual cycle, rosemary tea is a good go-to for maintaining healthy menstrual flow.
• Rosemary leaves contain carnosic acid, a potential antioxidant that can minimize the risk of tumor production and slow down the development of cancerous cells.
• In addition to carnosic acid, it also contains rosmarinic acid, which is known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Hence, it helps stimulate the immune system against many infections.
• Rosemary is known to reduce stress-causing factors, leading to a reduction in stress episodes and promoting peaceful sleep.
• From ancient times, rosemary leaves have been believed to have a great impact on brain activity. Rosemary oil aromatherapy is used to promote healthy brain functioning and improve learning capacities.

Precautions

While rosemary offers many benefits, some precautions should be considered. For instance, it’s best to avoid using rosemary tea during pregnancy, as it can promote bleeding. This is a crucial safety measure to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and baby.