Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
also known as Rosmarinus officinalis, Dew of the sea
Moderate
A Mediterranean culinary herb the ancient Greeks tied to memory. Modern research is small but interesting, with early signals for cognition, hair growth, and antioxidant action.
- Some evidence for cognitive support, mostly from aromatherapy and small trials
- Rosmarinic acid offers antioxidant activity
- Topical rosemary oil compares reasonably to minoxidil in one trial for androgenetic hair loss
- Antimicrobial action from its essential oil
- Long-standing culinary use means regular dietary exposure is well tolerated
Active in Rosmarinic acid, Carnosic acid, Camphor, 1,8-cineole.
Skip medicinal doses during pregnancy — can stimulate the uterus
Use caution with blood thinners
Use caution with diabetes medication
Always dilute the essential oil before skin contact
Very high doses of the essential oil can trigger seizures — rare but documented
Research
- Chitosan-induced modulation of secondary metabolism and stress tolerance in Salvia rosmarinus under combined drought and heat stress.
- Spectroscopic analysis reveals an opposite pattern between carnosic and rosmarinic acid concentrations in rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus).
- Medicinal plants in the management of muscle loss and sarcopenia: A narrative review of preclinical and clinical evidence from eight species.
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