Rosemary is a small, fragrant evergreen shrub. The rosemary plant originated in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. However, it now grows in North America as well. The leaf is used in herbal medicine.
Rosemary belongs to the Labiatae or mint family. Its native habitat is the area around the Mediterranean Sea and Portugal. It is now cultivated in many countries. Rosemary can grow to be as tall as man to about 6 feet and grows out to look like bushes. The leaves are long and skinny like pine needles. Rosemary flowers which are violet in color, bloom briefly in spring on young shoots.
Commercially cultivated and dried rosemary leaves come from Spain, France, Morocco, and Tunisia. The leaves have essential oils which contain tannin and resin. The origin of this herb's name is said that the Virgin Mary had draped her cloak over this bush and placed a white flower on top of her cloak. In the morning the flower turned blue and thereafter the plant was called Rose of Mary.
Rosemary has many culinary and medical uses. The plant is said to improve the memory. The leaves are used to flavor various foods, like stuffings and roast meats. Rosemary contains the antioxidants carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, and other bioactive compounds including camphor, caffeic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, rosmaridiphenol, and rosmanol. Some of these may be useful in preventing or treating cancers, strokes and Alzheimer's Disease.
The leaves, both fresh and dried, are used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine. They have a bitter, astringent taste and are highly aromatic, which complements a wide variety of foods. A tisane can be made from the leaves. When burnt, they give off a mustard-like smell and a smell similar to burning wood, which can be used to flavor foods while barbecuing. Rosemary is high in iron, calcium and vitamin B6, 317 mg, 6.65 mg and 0.336 mg per 100 g, respectively. Rosemary extract has been shown to improve the shelf life and heat stability of omega 3-rich oils, which are prone to rancidity.
Rosemary is traditionally reputed to have a positive effect on atherosclerosis. Butcher’s broom and rosemary are not well studied as being circulatory stimulants but are traditionally reputed to have such an action that might impact atherosclerosis. While butcher’s broom is useful for various diseases of veins, it also exerts effects that are protective for arteries.
Rosemary is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. Carminatives (also called aromatic digestive tonics or aromatic bitters) may be used to relieve symptoms of indigestion, particularly when there is excessive gas. It is believed that carminative agents work, at least in part, by relieving spasms in the intestinal tract.
There are numerous carminative herbs, including European angelica root (Angelica archangelica), anise, Basil, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, dill, ginger, oregano, rosemary, sage, lavender, and thyme. Many of these are common kitchen herbs and thus are readily available for making tea to calm an upset stomach. Rosemary is sometimes used to treat indigestion in the elderly by European herbal practitioners. The German Commission E monograph suggests a daily intake of 4–6 grams of sage leaf. Pennyroyal is no longer recommended for use in people with indigestion, however, due to potential side effects.
Rosemary is an herb that directly attack microbes.
Rosemary leaves contain certain phyto-chemical (plant derived) compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.
The herb parts especially flower tops contain phenolic anti-oxidant rosmarinic acid as well as numerous health benefiting volatile essential oils such as cineol, camphene, borneol, bornyl acetate, α-pinene etc. These compounds are known to have rubefacient (counter irritant), anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-fungal and anti-septic properties.
Rosemary leaves provide just 131 calories per 100 g and contains no cholesterol. Apart from nutrients this humble herb contains many noteworthy non-nutrient components such as dietary fiber (37% of RDA).
The herb is exceptionally rich in many B-complex group of vitamin, such as folic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin. It is one of the herbs contain high levels of folates; providing about 109 mcg per 100 g (about 27% of RDA). Folates are important in DNA synthesis and when given during periconception period can help prevent neural tube defects in the newborn babies.
Rosemary herb contains very good amounts of vitamin A, 2924 IU per 100 g; about 97% of RDA. Vitamin A is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin A is known to help body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
Fresh rosemary leaves are good source of antioxidant vitamin; vitamin-C containing about 22 mg per 100 g, about 37% of RDA. It is required for the collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and help scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
Rosemary herb parts, whether fresh or dried, are rich source of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
This herb is an excellent source of iron, contains 6.65 mg/100 g of fresh leaves (about 83% of RDA). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
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Rosemary herb (Rosmarinus officinalis), Fresh leaves, Nutritive value per 100 g. (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base) |
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Principle |
Nutrient Value |
Percentage of RDA |
|
Energy |
131 Kcal |
6.5% |
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Carbohydrates |
20.70 g |
16% |
|
Protein |
3.31 g |
6% |
|
Total Fat |
5.86 g |
20% |
|
Cholesterol |
0 mg |
0% |
|
Dietary Fiber |
14.10 g |
37% |
|
Vitamins |
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|
Folates |
109 µg |
27% |
|
Niacin |
0.912 mg |
6% |
|
Pantothenic acid |
0.804 mg |
16% |
|
Pyridoxine |
0.336 mg |
26% |
|
Riboflavin |
0.152 mg |
12% |
|
Thiamin |
0.036 mg |
3% |
|
Vitamin A |
2924 IU |
97% |
|
Vitamin C |
21.8 mg |
36% |
|
Electrolytes |
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Sodium |
26 mg |
2% |
|
Potassium |
668 mg |
14% |
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Minerals |
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Calcium |
317 mg |
32% |
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Copper |
0.301 mg |
33% |
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Iron |
6.65 mg |
83% |
|
Magnesium |
91 mg |
23% |
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Manganese |
0.960 mg |
42% |
|
Zinc |
0.93 mg |
8.5% |
Rosmarinic acid, a natural polyphenolic antioxidant found in rosemary, has been found to have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant functions. Sage, peppermint, oregano, thyme also contain appreciable levels of rosmarinic acid.
Rosemary oil, distilled from the flowering tops, contains volatile essential oil such as camphene, cineol, borneol, bornyl acetate and other esters. These compounds are known to have tonic, astringent, diaphoretic, and stimulant properties. Its herbal oil is also being used externally as a rubefacient to soothe painful ailments in gout, rheumatism and neuralgic conditions.
Rosemary herb extractions when applied over scalp have stimulating function on the hair-bulbs and help preventing premature baldness. It forms an effectual remedy for the prevention of scurf and dandruff.
Rosemary tea is a good remedy for removing nervous headache, colds, and depression.
As with any supplemental herbs or medications, you should always consult with your health care provider when using rosemary. Be sure to consult with your pharmacist when taking rosemary with any other prescribed medications.
It is not recommended that you use rosemary in children under 18 years of age.
Rosemary should not be taken by people with high blood pressure, ulcers, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.
Rosemary oil can be toxic if ingested, and should never be taken orally.
Rosemary may affect the blood's ability to clot, and could interfere with any blood-thinning drugs you are taking. Be sure to consult your doctor if you are taking Plavix, Coumadin, or Aspirin or any other type of blood thinner.
Rosemary may interfere with the action of ACE inhibitors in high blood pressure medications like: Monopril, Vasotec, Zestril, Capoten or any other such medications.
Rosemary may alter blood sugar levels and could interfere with any drugs taken to control diabetes.
Don't use this herb because it is known to have emmenagogue (to stimulate menstrual flow) and abortive effects.
Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners) -- Rosemary may affect the blood's ability to clot. It could interfere with any blood thinning drugs you are taking, including:
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Aspirin
ACE inhibitors -- Rosemary may interfere with the action of ACE inhibitors taken for high blood pressure.
Captopril (Capoten)
Elaropril (Vasotec)
Lisinopril (Zestril)
Fosinopril (Monopril)
Diuretics (water pills) -- Because rosemary can act as a diuretic, it can increase the effects of these drugs. That can raise your risk of dehydration.
Furosemide (Lasix)
Hydrocholorothiazide
Lithium -- Because of its diuretic effects, rosemary might cause the body to lose too much water and the amount of lithium in the body to build up to toxic levels.
Diabetes -- Rosemary may alter blood sugar levels and could interfere with any drugs taken to control diabetes.
Great August 26, 2009, From Ohio
This herb is great for many different things including Depression, Increased blood circulation to the head/brain, Hair growth, etc. I take 2 of these in the evening with food and I'm very pleased with this product.
Helps with allergies! September 03, 2009, From Oregon
I use it as part of a regimen to control my severe allergies.
Rosemary leaves July 22, 2009, By Julie B Nickolichuk From Canada
Potent antioxident, which inhibits mammary cancer development, works well with indole-3-carbinol
... March 19, 2010, By David
this is an excellent product to help with circulation and memory.
Rosmarinus officinalis December 19, 2010, From Japan
This herb is great for all my family, cleanse the liver.
Wonderful Rosemary... April 01, 2011, From Tennessee
I've used this product for so many things, but my major use of Rosemary Leaves is to ward off minor infection. Abcess? Gone.
? November 29, 2007, From Virginia
great value! Wonderful immune booster!
Excellent October 08, 2011, From Canada
Excellent for long term use (with breaks). Several positive effects including cerebral health.
!!!!! November 17, 2011, From New York
... I've been taking this for a month now, 2 capsules a day as soon as I wake up and it gets rid of my mental fogginess, I have clarity, I no longer feel depressed. This stuff really works, I mean it makes me HAPPY!!! And it's cheaper than prozac and all those prescription drugs.
Rosemary May 07, 2011, From Tennessee
This is great for the memory. Recommend it highly. ...