Rosemary boasts an extensive historical background in both culinary and aromatic contexts, along with its role in traditional herbal and Ayurvedic practices (as indicated by a trusted source).
Originating from South America and the Mediterranean region, the rosemary bush (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a member of the Lamiaceae plant family, which includes other herbs like mint, oregano, lemon balm, and basil.
Rosemary tea is appreciated by numerous individuals for its delightful taste, fragrant aroma, and potential health advantages.
Outlined below are six potential uses and health benefits attributed to rosemary tea, accompanied by considerations for potential interactions with medications, along with a step-by-step recipe for crafting this tea.
1. High in Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anti-inflammatory Compounds
Antioxidants play a pivotal role in safeguarding the body against oxidative damage and inflammation, processes that can pave the way for persistent conditions like cancer, cardiovascular ailments, and type 2 diabetes.
These beneficial compounds are present in an array of plant-based foods, encompassing fruits, vegetables, and herbs like rosemary. Notably, rosemary tea also harbors constituents with potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial attributes.
The potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties attributed to rosemary stem largely from its polyphenolic components, particularly rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid (as corroborated by trustworthy.
Thanks to its adeptness as an antioxidant, rosmarinic acid often finds employment as a natural preservative to extend the shelf life of perishable edibles.
Furthermore, the compounds within rosemary tea may wield antimicrobial capabilities, which could aid in combatting infections. Traditional medicinal practices have long utilized rosemary leaves for their recognized antibacterial and wound-healing effects.
Scientific inquiry has also delved into the potential impact of rosmarinic and carnosic acid on cancer. Research has unveiled the potential antitumor properties of these acids, potentially even retarding the growth of leukemia, breast, and prostate cancer cells.
2. May Improve Your Mood and Memory
Experiencing occasional stress and anxiety is a normal occurrence.
Although there is a lack of specific studies focusing on rosemary tea, there is evidence suggesting that consuming and inhaling the compounds found in rosemary tea can have positive effects on mood enhancement and memory improvement.
For instance, a study demonstrated that taking 500 mg of oral rosemary twice a day for one month significantly decreased anxiety levels while enhancing memory and sleep quality in college students, as opposed to a placebo.
Another research conducted over a two-month period with 66 employees in industrial settings revealed that those who consumed 2 teaspoons (4 grams) of rosemary mixed in 2/3 cup (150 ml) of water daily reported feeling notably less burned out in their jobs compared to those who didn’t.
Interestingly, even the scent of rosemary appears to provide benefits. A study involving 20 healthy young adults showed that inhaling the aroma of rosemary for 4–10 minutes before a cognitive test led to improvements in concentration, performance, and mood.
Moreover, an investigation involving 20 healthy adults found that inhaling rosemary oil stimulated brain activity and uplifted mood. After inhaling the oil, participants exhibited increased activity levels, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate.
The potential mood-enhancing effects of rosemary extract could be attributed to its capacity to foster a healthy balance of gut bacteria and reduce inflammation in the hippocampus, a region of the brain associated with emotions, learning, and memories.
3. May Help Lower Your Blood Sugar
Neglected elevation of blood sugar can result in detrimental effects on the eyes, heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Hence, it is of utmost importance for individuals with diabetes to effectively regulate their blood sugar levels.
Research has unveiled that the constituents found in rosemary tea could potentially contribute to the reduction of blood sugar, suggesting that rosemary might hold promise in aiding the management of high blood sugar in individuals with diabetes.
Although there’s a dearth of specific studies focusing on rosemary tea, experiments conducted in test tubes and on animals with rosemary have demonstrated that compounds like carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid exhibit effects similar to insulin in terms of blood sugar control.
Several studies indicate that these compounds have the ability to enhance the uptake of glucose into muscle cells, leading to a decrease in blood sugar levels.
4. May Protect Vision and Eye Health
While there is a shortage of research specifically focused on the impact of rosemary tea on eye health, available evidence suggests that certain compounds present in the tea could potentially be advantageous for ocular well-being.
Animal studies have uncovered that when rosemary extract is combined with other oral treatments, it can potentially decelerate the progression of age-related eye diseases (AREDs).
An investigation centered on augmenting conventional treatments like zinc oxide and various antioxidant combinations for AREDs with rosemary extract showed promising results in slowing down age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a prevalent vision-related ailment.
Additional animal and experimental studies have indicated that rosmarinic acid, a component of rosemary, might delay the onset of cataracts — the gradual clouding of the eye that can lead to blindness — and mitigate the severity of cataracts.
It is worth noting that most of the studies concerning rosemary and eye health have employed concentrated extracts, making it challenging to ascertain the potential effects of rosemary tea and the amount one would need to consume to derive these potential benefits.
5. May Improve Brain Health
Several studies conducted using test tubes and animals have indicated that the constituents within rosemary tea might offer safeguarding for brain health by impeding the demise of brain cells
Findings from animal-based research propose that rosemary could potentially aid in recuperation from ailments that carry the risk of causing brain impairment, like strokes.
Furthermore, there is indication from various studies that rosemary might counteract the detrimental consequences of brain aging, with some even proposing a shield against neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
6. Other Potential Benefits and Uses
Rosemary has been the subject of investigation for various other potential applications.
Additional advantages that can be attributed to the compounds in rosemary tea include:
- Potential enhancement of heart health: An animal study uncovered that rosemary extract exhibited the ability to diminish the likelihood of heart failure subsequent to a heart attack.
- Potential facilitation of digestion: Although research on this aspect is limited, rosemary extract is at times employed to alleviate indigestion. The conjecture is that rosemary supports digestion by fostering a harmonious composition of gut bacteria and minimizing inflammation.
- Possible aid in weight loss: An animal-based study highlighted that rosemary prevented weight gain in rats, including those subjected to a high-fat diet.
- Potential stimulation of hair growth: Certain individuals assert that using homemade rosemary tea as a hair rinse stimulates hair growth, but scientific investigations are deficient in this area. Some studies propose that rosemary oil or extract could potentially reduce hair loss, contingent on its application to the scalp.
While these potential benefits appear promising, further research is required, particularly to ascertain the advantages that can be obtained from consuming rosemary tea.