A couple of posts ago, I talked about phytochemicals and how researchers theorize that there may be hundreds in a every single vegetable that have yet to be discovered. Broccoli for example contains a chemical called sulforaphane that has been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-diabetes properties. Spices and herbs are now being studied widely and most are showing incredible chemicals as well that affect health. Rosemary has been shown to have have many effects that may also involve being anti-cancer in nature but it seems to of special benefit to the human brain in many different ways. In two separate studies published in The Journal of Neurochemistry and Nature, a chemical in rosemary - carnosic acid - seems to have a protective effect against stroke and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's but also just normal brain aging. A study that just came out recently indicated that just the smell of rosemary improved cognitive performance.* The chemical 1,8 cineole was found to enter the blood through the nasal membrane and improved both speed and accuracy of controlled tests given to individuals. So eat it, smell it, grow it and love it. Rosemary should be a definite part of a healthy lifestyle.
*M. Moss, L. Oliver. Plasma 1,8-cineole correlates with cognitive performance following exposure to rosemary essential oil aroma.
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 2012
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