What the Research Says About Rosemary

How Rosemary May Help Prevent Chronic Diseases

Rosemary contains a number of bioactive compounds that make it an promising resource for chronic disease prevention.

Rosemary and Cancer

The two main constituents in rosemary are carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, both of which have anticancer properties.

  • Carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid are potent antioxidants; this means that they neutralize molecules called free radicals that damage your cells and lead to the proliferation and spread of cancer.
    • Animal studies have shown that rosemary supplementation limited the growth and spread of colon, prostate, and liver cancers. (1)

Rosemary and Dementias

Many of the bioactive compounds found in rosemary are known as diterpenes. These diterpenes have been shown to be effective in protecting neuronal cells from from pathways associated with the development of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. (2)

How Rosemary Protects Your Eyes

Carnosic acid’s benefits go beyond just protecting the body from cancers. It also has been shown to protect retinal cells from damage associated with age-related macular degeneration, which is the number one cause of vision loss. (3)

Rosemary Aids in Digestion

It helps to promote proper digestion, while inducing a toning and calming effect on digestion. (4)

Inhaling Rosemary Improves Cognition

One study showed that students who inhaled rosemary essential oils displayed reduced anxiety and improved focus and clarity. (5)

Rosemary Provides Pain Relief

Rosemary has been shown to reduce the detection of pain, and act synergistically with non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs. (6)

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