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Rosemary is a popular herb with many medicinal uses. It has a captivating smell that even simply sniffing it can boost memory by up to 75%.
Rosemary has a wide variety of uses. Chefs use rosemary as a spice and food flavor. Of course, its health benefits are undeniable. Rosemary essential oil is beneficial for people with hair loss, migraine, and vertigo.
Recently, researchers discovered a new benefit of rosemary, a memory booster. Interestingly, using rosemary as a memory booster is easy.
Scientists claimed that simply by smelling the scent of rosemary can boosts memory up to 75%. The study was first reported back in 2013 by online news websites including Huffington Post UK.
How Rosemary Boosts Memory By Simply Smelling It?
In the study, researchers found that rosemary contains carnosic acid. It is like an antioxidant that gets rid of free radicals in the brain. Moreover, it also offers protection to the cells in the body and even DNA damage from free radicals.
The compounds in rosemary herb prevent acetylcholine breakdown. It is a chemical in the brain responsible for reasoning and memory.
In this study, researchers used rosemary essential oil to evaluate 66 people divided into two groups. One group is assigned to a scented with rosemary essential oil while the other group to a non-scented room.
Interestingly, the researchers found that participants assigned in rosemary oil scented room were 60% to 75% higher when it comes to remembering things than the other group.
One of the researchers, Jemma McCready says;
The difference between the two groups was 60-75 percent, for example, one group would remember to do seven things compared with four tasks completed by those who did not smell the oil, and they were quicker.
We deliberately set them a lot of tasks, so it’s possible that people who multi-task could function better after sniffing rosemary oil.. There was no link between the participants’ mood and memory. This suggests performance is not influenced as a consequence of changes in alertness or arousal.
More Proofs
In 2017, the British Psychological Society reported that rosemary essential oil enhances children memory. Also, an earlier study says that
Is It Good Enough To Rely On Alone?
There is no doubt that rosemary essential oil has many health benefits. Studies have proven it.
However, totally relying on it alone may not be a good idea. Of course, it is helpful but it is just a part of an overall equation.
For instance, the body needs proper nutrition, regular exercise and other healthy lifestyle practices like achieving quality sleep all count. When it comes to health and wellness, it’s not just the memory we need to be focusing.
To achieve ideal overall health and wellness, we need to eat right, exercise and even having sex can boosts memory. Although one study finds that a certain amount of alcohol consumed at a specific time is beneficial for memory, the side effects of alcohol are not worth it.
Final Thoughts
Rosemary is an amazing herb with many health benefits. If you have access to rosemary essential oil regularly, that’s good, use it.
On the other hand, if you have a chance to grow your own rosemary herb, do it. It is not just its essential oil that matters most. You can use rosemary in a wide variety of ways including in cooking.
If you want to smell it, simply pick a few leaves, crush it and smell it. It is relaxing. While the essential oil may be stronger in scent than fresh rosemary leaves, smelling fresh leaves is relaxing, as well.
So, don’t get stuck because the study used rosemary essential oil, and that you should, too. If you have the essential oil, that’s good. However, if you have the fresh rosemary leaves, use it.
Keep in mind, in order to be able to keep a better memory, you have to use it, too. Simply sniffing it and doing nothing may not be as beneficial.
Instead, combine it through regular reading, doing something new and different can stimulate the memory more. And, along with the benefits of rosemary scent, you’ll be able to reap the benefits a whole lot better.
And, don’t forget, always make it a part of
