Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Herbs & Roots. Western & European.
Also called Dew of the sea, Garden rosemary
Spanish: Romero
Oil toxic if swallowedRosemary is a piney kitchen herb whose leaves and oil are studied in small trials for memory and hair.
Did you know? Rosemary's Latin name, Rosmarinus, comes from words meaning 'dew of the sea,' because the plant grows near the Mediterranean coast.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Memory & focus. Small studies suggest the smell of rosemary may help memory in healthy adults, but results are mixed.Early proof
- Hair & nails. A small study found rosemary oil similar to minoxidil for hair thinning, but it was small and short.Early proof
- Digestion & gut health. Used for indigestion and bloating in folk medicine, mostly from tradition.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Mediterranean healers used rosemary for memory, digestion, and headaches. It was also a symbol of remembrance at weddings and funerals.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Carminative, Stimulant, Antioxidant. Energy: warming.
How people take it
Used fresh or dried in cooking, or steeped as tea. For hair, diluted oil is massaged into the scalp. Never swallow the essential oil.
Food, tea, essential oil and topical.
Where to get it
Native to the Mediterranean and grown in gardens worldwide. Sold as fresh and dried leaves, tea, essential oil, and hair products.
Be careful
Food amounts are safe. Concentrated essential oil is toxic if swallowed and can cause seizures. It can irritate skin, and medicinal amounts are not advised in pregnancy.
Avoid if: epilepsy; pregnancy.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both are in Herbes de Provence, a classic herb mix.
- Works well together
Both are in Herbes de Provence, a classic herb mix.
- Works well together
Both are common in poultry and stuffing seasonings.
- Works well together
Often combined in Mediterranean roasts and breads.
Found in these formulas
Four Thieves vinegar (Folk)
The honest take
Rosemary is a great food herb, but most of its medicine claims come from lab work and small trials. Small human studies hint at memory and hair benefits, yet they are small and short. Claims that it boosts brain power for everyone are not proven.