Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a perennial woody evergreen herb native to the Mediterranean region. Rosemary has a sweet, fresh pine-wood like aroma with a bitter sweet, fresh flavor.
The herb has a warm, bitter, and astringent taste but yet it gives a wonderful flavour and aroma to soups, sauces, stews, roasts, and stuffing. It can be used in dried powder form or as fresh leaves.
Benefits of Rosemary:
Hair Growth
The oil of rosemary promotes hair growth, prevents baldness, slows graying, treats dandruff, and dry scalp
Enhances Brain Function
One of the earliest documented uses of rosemary for health reasons was as a cognitive stimulant. It helped improve memory performance and quality. It is also known to boost alertness, intelligence, and focus.
Liver Detoxification
Rosemary has been linked to lower levels of cirrhosis and a faster healing time of the liver, which is one of the slowest organs to heal. It also reduces plasma liver enzymes, which may cause type-2 diabetes. Carnosol prevents liver tissue distortion. It also prevents depletion of liver glycogen, the energy storage molecules.
Reduces Stress
A study conducted on the anti-depressant effects of rosemary concluded that the aroma of rosemary alone has been linked to improving mood and clearing the mind. It has a calming effect on those who suffer from chronic anxiety and depression. Furthermore, it reduces salivary cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, which helps ease tension in the body.