Rosemary herb is one of the most popular herbs used in cooking across the globe. The name rosemary is derived from the Latin words “Ros” meaning dew or mist, and “marinus” meaning sea. Along with lavender, basil, oregano, and a few other herbs, it is part of the mint family. It is not just used in cooking, rosemary has held a much more important place traditionally in people’s day-to-day lives, especially in the western civilization. Considered to be an excellent memory booster, ancient Greek students often adorned garland of rosemary on their heads while studying. It also played an essential part in the festivals of Greece, as it was seen as a symbol of the unending cycle of life and death.Rosemary essential oil, on the other hand, is no less of a star itself. Extracted intricately from the wondrous herbs of rosemary, rosemary oil boats of a multitude health, hair and skin benefits. The essential oil is rich in anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties. The book Healing Foods by DK Publishing House states that rosemary contains caffeic and rosmaric acids, which are both potent and anti-inflammatory agents. Rosemary is also rich in strong antiseptic properties.1. Respiratory Problems
Rosemary oil is replete with antibacterial properties that can treat a host of your respiratory problems. The scent of rosemary oil eases throat congestion, and also treats allergies, sore throat, cold and flu. Its antispasmodic qualities it is also beneficial in treating bronchitis and asthma.
2. Relieves PainIf you are struggling with severe joint pains and sprain, trust rosemary oil’s anti-inflammatory and anti-analgesic properties to come to your immediate aid. Rosemary oil further stimulates blood circulation, which alongside easing pain can and also aid in coagulation of wounds that can further fasten the healing. How to Use: Just apply a mixture of 2 drops of rosemary oil, 2 drop of peppermint oil and 1 tsp of coconut oil to the aching joints or sore muscles, and you would soon feel relieved.(Also read:10 Dried Herbs You Must Have in Your Kitchen Cupboard)
3. Immune System BoostReplete with anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, simple aromatherapy of rosemary essential oil can boost the immune system and combat diseases associated with free radicals, which could range from a common cold to heart disease. If you have enough time, a relaxing massage of rosemary oil can do wonders for your immune system too. Massaging lymph nodes can rejuvenate the body and charge the body’s detoxifying abilities.How to use: Just mix a few drops of rosemary oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil, start from your arm and massage up to the lymph nodes in your armpits. Rub some oil down your neck and around the chest, and relax. A soothing bath with added rosemary essential oil also helps boosting the immune system by bringing down stress.
4. Brings Relief from Indigestion
5. Strengthens the HairSick of managing your dry, lackluster and damaged hair? A scalp massage of rosemary oil can help recover your lost sheen. Rosemary oil is a common component in shampoos and lotions too. Rosemary oil helps stimulate follicles, and strengthens hair from the root, making them longer and shinier. Known to nourish the scalp thoroughly, rosemary oil can prove to be the best alternative to your market-based anti-dandruff shampoos. The essential oil also slows down premature hair loss and greying of hair.How to use: Just pour 6-7 drops of rosemary oil on your scalp and massage gently before washing your hair. Or use them with basil oil or tea tree oil for better results to all your scalp related problems.
6. Helps Fight CancerRosemary essential oil holds some very potent phytochemicals. Some 400-500 phytochemicals have been found in rosemary essential oil, which makes it an excellent source of various bioactive compounds. One study investigated carnosol, and its role in fighting cancer. Another study found out rosemary extract has protective effects against hepatotoxicity, which are the toxic effects of the chemical drugs on the liver caused by cyclophosphamide, a commonly used chemotherapy drug.
7. Boosts Memory
8.Boosts Oral Health
Rosemary oil is popularly used to treat bad breath. The anti-microbial properties of rosemary oil kills the bad bacteria, thereby giving you fresher breath. By attacking the oral bacteria, this essential oil also prevents tooth decay, gingivitis, cavities and plaque build-up.How to use: Make your own mouth wash, mix about 15-20 drops of rosemary oil with a cup of distilled water, you can also add in some peppermint oil for the minty fresh flavor and gargle daily. This natural mouth wash, unlike the alcohol-based mouthwashes of the market doesn’t upset the good bacteria balance of the mouth and gently treat all your dental problems. Experts also advice to consume the essential oil with tea for bad breath problems.(Also read:World Oral Health Day: 5 Hygiene Rituals You Must Follow Daily) 9. Mosquito and Insect Repellent
Rosemary oil is replete with antibacterial properties that can treat a host of your respiratory problems. The scent of rosemary oil eases throat congestion, and also treats allergies, sore throat, cold and flu. Its antispasmodic qualities it is also beneficial in treating bronchitis and asthma.
In the book ‘Healing Foods’, it is said that the strong antioxidant action of rosemary oil can help reduce inflammation, thus helping to lower the risk of asthma.
(Also read:So You've Got a Sore Throat: Causes and Remedies)
2. Relieves PainIf you are struggling with severe joint pains and sprain, trust rosemary oil’s anti-inflammatory and anti-analgesic properties to come to your immediate aid. Rosemary oil further stimulates blood circulation, which alongside easing pain can and also aid in coagulation of wounds that can further fasten the healing. How to Use: Just apply a mixture of 2 drops of rosemary oil, 2 drop of peppermint oil and 1 tsp of coconut oil to the aching joints or sore muscles, and you would soon feel relieved.(Also read:10 Dried Herbs You Must Have in Your Kitchen Cupboard)
3. Immune System BoostReplete with anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, simple aromatherapy of rosemary essential oil can boost the immune system and combat diseases associated with free radicals, which could range from a common cold to heart disease. If you have enough time, a relaxing massage of rosemary oil can do wonders for your immune system too. Massaging lymph nodes can rejuvenate the body and charge the body’s detoxifying abilities.How to use: Just mix a few drops of rosemary oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil, start from your arm and massage up to the lymph nodes in your armpits. Rub some oil down your neck and around the chest, and relax. A soothing bath with added rosemary essential oil also helps boosting the immune system by bringing down stress.
4. Brings Relief from Indigestion
The essential oil is also pretty adept at treating problems of indigestion, constipation, stomach cramps, bloating and relieving flatulence. Rosemary works as a fantastic detoxifier for our liver. Not only does it facilitates a smoother and better bile flow, rosemary helps regulating the creation and release of bile juice which enhances the process of digestion . In many of the lamb, beef and pork delicacies rosemary leaves are specially added as it helps digesting the large proteins found in meat.(Also read: How to Reduce Bloating: 8 Tummy Shrinking Foods)
5. Strengthens the HairSick of managing your dry, lackluster and damaged hair? A scalp massage of rosemary oil can help recover your lost sheen. Rosemary oil is a common component in shampoos and lotions too. Rosemary oil helps stimulate follicles, and strengthens hair from the root, making them longer and shinier. Known to nourish the scalp thoroughly, rosemary oil can prove to be the best alternative to your market-based anti-dandruff shampoos. The essential oil also slows down premature hair loss and greying of hair.How to use: Just pour 6-7 drops of rosemary oil on your scalp and massage gently before washing your hair. Or use them with basil oil or tea tree oil for better results to all your scalp related problems.
6. Helps Fight CancerRosemary essential oil holds some very potent phytochemicals. Some 400-500 phytochemicals have been found in rosemary essential oil, which makes it an excellent source of various bioactive compounds. One study investigated carnosol, and its role in fighting cancer. Another study found out rosemary extract has protective effects against hepatotoxicity, which are the toxic effects of the chemical drugs on the liver caused by cyclophosphamide, a commonly used chemotherapy drug.
7. Boosts Memory
Board exam aspirants take a cue. Rosemary oil can work wonders for your brain function. It increases concentration, stimulates cognitive abilities and lessens mental fatigue. A little dose of aroma therapy can rejuvenate your senses from within and make your brain racing again.How to use: For better memory retention, you can mix 4 to 5 drops rosemary oil with coconut oil and massage your upper neck daily. Rosemary aromatherapy also affects the salivary cortisol levels, more commonly known as the “stress” hormone, bringing down your anxiety and stress levels considerably.
8.Boosts Oral Health
Rosemary oil is popularly used to treat bad breath. The anti-microbial properties of rosemary oil kills the bad bacteria, thereby giving you fresher breath. By attacking the oral bacteria, this essential oil also prevents tooth decay, gingivitis, cavities and plaque build-up.How to use: Make your own mouth wash, mix about 15-20 drops of rosemary oil with a cup of distilled water, you can also add in some peppermint oil for the minty fresh flavor and gargle daily. This natural mouth wash, unlike the alcohol-based mouthwashes of the market doesn’t upset the good bacteria balance of the mouth and gently treat all your dental problems. Experts also advice to consume the essential oil with tea for bad breath problems.(Also read:World Oral Health Day: 5 Hygiene Rituals You Must Follow Daily)
You can create your own chemical free, all natural mosquito repellent in your house with just a bottle of rosemary oil and distilled water to keep those nasty mosquitoes and flies away. Legend says that when Europe was hit by Black death - bubonic plague - that took thousands of lives in the fourteenth century, people scattered branches of rosemary on the floors, doorways and windows of their homes to help ward off the disease.How to use: Add around 20 drops per ounce of distilled water, store it in a spray bottle and catch up on your comfortable slumber. You can also prevent flies from entering your home by placing some rosemary oil around windows and doors.
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About Sushmita SenguptaSharing a strong penchant for food, Sushmita loves all things good, cheesy and greasy. Her other favourite pastime activities other than discussing food includes, reading, watching movies and binge-watching TV shows.