Whether you sprinkle it on dinner, brew it into tea, or simply take a whiff, rosemary has some pretty stunning science behind it when it comes to brain health. (Full disclosure: I sniffed some before writing this, so you can thank rosemary for what you're about to read).
Several human studies suggest rosemary can sharpen memory, lift mood, and ease stress. In one trial, people who sat in a rosemary-scented room before taking memory tests scored 15% higher on prospective memory tasks compared with those in an unscented room. They also reported feeling more alert.
Rosemary contains compounds that interact with the brain’s neurotransmitters, such as 1,8-cineole, which slows the breakdown of acetylcholine — a key neurotransmitter for learning and memory. By protecting acetylcholine, rosemary may help keep cognitive performance strong.
It’s not just about memory, either. Rosemary has shown anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in several trials:
In one study, college students who took 500 mg of rosemary twice daily for a month experienced lower anxiety, improved memory, and better sleep compared with those who took the placebo.
In a 2-month study, industrial workers who drank rosemary tea daily reported feeling significantly less job burnout than coworkers who didn’t.
In another 2-month study, rosemary was found to be considerably effective against anxiety and major depression.
Even short exposures help - inhaling rosemary aroma for just a few minutes boosted concentration, mood, and performance in young adults.
Researchers think rosemary may also support mood by balancing gut bacteria and reducing inflammation in the hippocampus — the brain’s hub for learning, memory, and emotion.
Rosemary has also been found to protect against the death of brain cells, aid recovery after brain injuries such as stroke, and is being studied for its potential role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
In short: fresh, dried, sipped, or sniffed, rosemary is more than just a tasty herb; it’s brain food in the truest sense.