As rosemary is added to a roasting pan alongside chicken or incorporated into a garlicky loaf of bread, its potential health benefits might not always come to mind. This herb has been thoroughly studied for its numerous advantages, ranging from promoting hair growth to possibly aiding in cancer prevention.
Boosting Hair Growth
Rosemary oil, derived from the rosemary plant, has been scientifically validated as an effective method for enhancing hair growth. A study compared the efficacy of rosemary oil to minoxidil, a widely used hair growth medication, and found that both treatments resulted in significant hair growth after six months, with no notable difference in effectiveness between the two. Furthermore, an extensive review on hair loss due to alopecia highlighted rosemary oil as an effective remedy due to its capability to enhance scalp blood flow and support hair follicle regeneration.
Enhancing Skin Health
According to a 2023 review, rosemary may also contribute to skin healing. The study pointed out that oxidative stress, induced by ultraviolet light, environmental pollutants, and chronic psychological stress, could damage skin, accelerate aging, and contribute to skin cancer. However, rosemary’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help mitigate these issues when ingested or applied topically.
Anticancer Potential
Research has suggested that rosemary’s anticancer qualities extend beyond skin health. A 2020 study identified that consuming rosemary could inhibit carcinogen activation, boost antioxidant enzyme activity, reduce tumor-promoting inflammation, limit cell growth, stimulate programmed cell death, and suppress tumor proliferation.
Brain Health and Alzheimer’s Treatment
Rosemary offers benefits for the nervous system, as highlighted by a 2020 review. The review depicted rosemary extract as having anti-spasm, pain-relief, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and memory-enhancing effects. The study also indicated potential for rosemary in treating anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and withdrawal syndromes. Specifically, a January 2025 study in mice linked a rosemary compound to improved memory, enhanced neuron synapses, reduced inflammation, and efficient removal of Alzheimer’s-associated toxic proteins, with no detectable toxicity.
Incorporating Rosemary for Health Benefits
While these studies underscore rosemary’s benefits, variations in dosing and extraction methods limit the findings’ clinical applicability. The anticancer study also noted concerns over potential toxicity from chronic rosemary extract usage. Rosemary extract is generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration, though no specific daily intake is recommended. Consulting a healthcare provider before taking supplements is advised.
Typically, rosemary is available as an herb or essential oil. Essential oils should not be ingested due to their high concentration and potential toxicity. Instead, when applying to the skin, it should be diluted with a carrier oil. Rosemary essential oil is considered safe for inhalation via aroma diffusers.
To enjoy rosemary’s benefits, it can be infused in boiling water as tea or incorporated into various dishes. Nevertheless, Mount Sinai Hospital advises that pregnant and nursing women avoid rosemary supplements because high doses may risk miscarriage, although it remains safe as a culinary herb. Rosemary should also be avoided by individuals with high blood pressure, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis.
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This content originally appeared on Fortune.com.
