Sandra has been researching essential oils for about two years now, and has experienced the health benefits first-hand. My Grandma’s Garden is a huge supporter and believer of essential oils and their benefits. Essential oils are a great way to improve your mental and physical health without using harmful medicines – we hope you are able to give them a try! Our research on rosemary essential oils follows.

Rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds- these are thought to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation. Laboratory studies have shown rosemary to be rich in antioxidants, which play an important role in neutralizing harmful particles called free radicals.

Benefits:

• Improving digestion: in Europe, rosemary is often used to help treat indigestion
• Enhancing memory and concentration: blood levels of a rosemary oil component correlate with improved cognitive performance
• Protection against macular degeneration: a study published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, led by Stuart A. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D. and colleagues at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, revealed that a major component of rosemary, camosic acid, can significantly improve eye health.

A report in the Journal of Food Science revealed that adding rosemary extract to ground beef reduces the formation of cancer-causing agents that can develop during cooking.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis CT cineol) has a fresh, herbaceous and sweet aroma. An energizing oil, it may be beneficial for helping to restore mental alertness when experiencing fatigue. It is also a popular ingredient in skin and hair care products. This oil should be diluted before use and is recommended for adult use only. Rosemary may also be used to enhance the flavour of foods while cooking.

Usage:

• Rosemary is for dietary or is applied to the skin. When using as a supplement, dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid such as soy or rice milk.
• Rosemary is used for digestion problems, including heartburn, intestinal gas, liver and gallbladder complaints, and loss of appetite. It is also used for gout, cough, headache, high blood pressure, and reducing age-related memory loss.
• Rosemary is used applied to the skin for preventing and treating baldness; and treating circulation problems, toothache, eczema and joint/muscle pain.
• It can also be used as insect repellent.

*Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Dilution recommended for both topical and internal use. Dilute before using on sensitive areas such as the face or neck.

Health Benefits:

Although research on the aromatherapeutic use of rosemary essential oil is fairly limited, there’s some evidence that rosemary essential oil may offer certain health benefits. Here’s a look at several key findings from the available studies on rosemary essential oil:

1) Anxiety

Breathing in the scent of rosemary essential oil may help relieve anxiety, according to a study published in Holistic Nursing Practice in 2009. In an experiment involving a group of nursing students, researchers found that use of sachets containing lavender and rosemary essential oils helped reduce anxiety associated with test-taking.

2) Stress

In a 2007 study published in Psychiatry Research, scientists found that inhaling the aroma of rosemary essential oil may help lower stress levels. For the study, 22 healthy volunteers sniffed the aroma of lavender and rosemary essential oils for five minutes. Results revealed that both essential oils caused a decrease in levels of cortisol (a hormone released as part of the body’s stress response).

3) Brain Function

Several studies suggest that rosemary essential oil may help improve brain function. In a 2003 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, for instance, researchers determined that participants exposed to the odor of rosemary essential oil while taking a test experienced an improvement in cognitive performance. Involving 144 volunteers, the study also found that rosemary essential oil helped improve mood.

4) Alzheimer’s Disease

Rosemary essential oil may be of some benefit to people with Alzheimer’s Disease, according to a small study published in Psychogeriatrics in 2009. In tests on 28 older adults (including 17 Alzheimer’s patients), researchers found that one month of aromatherapy involving rosemary, lemon, lavender, and orange essential oils helped enhance cognitive function.

We hope you enjoyed this informative article and are able to use it as a starting point for your own research on essential oils. If you are also interested in essential oils, want to try them out, or already use them regularly, please let us know by commenting below or sending us a tweet!