ROSEMARY
Scientific name: Salvia rosmarinus
Malay name: Rosemary
General uses:
- Rosemary is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, along with many other herbs, such as oregano, thyme, basil, and lavender.
- Rosemary has leaves shaped like needles and pink, white, blue, or purple flowers.
- Rosemary is a fragrant herb. It is used as a culinary condiment, The leaves are often used in cooking, to make bodily perfumes, and for its potential health benefits
- The herb not only tastes good in culinary dishes, such as rosemary chicken and lamb, but it is also a good source of iron, calcium, and vitamin B-6.
- It is typically prepared as a whole dried herb or a dried powdered extract
- Rosemary was traditionally used to help alleviate muscle pain, improve memory, boost the immune and circulatory the system, and promote hair growth.
- Very high doses may cause vomiting, coma, and pulmonary oedema.
Pharmacological and medicinal uses:
- Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
Rosemary is a rich source of
antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are thought to help boost
the immune system and improve blood circulation. Laboratory studies have shown
rosemary to be rich in antioxidants, which play an important role in
neutralizing harmful particles called free radicals.
- Improving digestion
Rosemary is often used to help
treat indigestion. In fact, Germany’s Commission E has approved rosemary for
the treatment of indigestion. However, it should be noted that there is
currently no meaningful scientific evidence to support this claim.
- Enhancing memory and concentration
According to research outlined in
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, the aroma from rosemary can improve
a person’s concentration, performance, speed, and accuracy and, to a lesser
extent, their mood.
- Neurological protection
Scientists have found that
rosemary may also be good for your brain. Rosemary contains an ingredient
called carnosic acid, which can fight off damage by free radicals in the brain.
Some studies in rats have
identified that rosemary might be useful for people who have experienced a
stroke. Rosemary appears to be protective against brain damage and might
improve recovery.
- Prevent brain ageing
Some studies have suggested that
rosemary may significantly help prevent brain ageing. The therapeutic ability of
rosemary for prevention of Alzheimer’s shows promise, but more studies are
needed.
- Cancer
Research published in Oncology
Reports found that “crude ethanolic rosemary extract (RO)” slowed the spread of
human leukaemia and breast carcinoma cells.”
Another study, published in
Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, concluded that rosemary might be
useful as an anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent.
Also, a report published in the
Journal of Food Science revealed that adding rosemary extract to ground beef
reduces the formation of cancer-causing agents that can develop during cooking.
- Protection against mascular degeneration
A study published in the journal
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, led by Dr Stuart A. Lipton,
PhD and colleagues at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute revealed
that a carnosic acid, which is a major component of rosemary, can significantly
promote eye health.
This could have clinical
applications for diseases affecting the outer retina, such as age-related
mascular degeneration – the most common eye disease in the United States.
Contraindication:
High doses of rosemary
may cause miscarriage; therefore it is not advisable for pregnant women to take
any supplemental rosemary
Side effect
vomiting
spasms
coma
pulmonary oedema (fluid in the
lungs)
Toxicology:
Rosemary can affect the activity
of some medications, including:
- Anticoagulant drugs: These include blood-thinning medications, such as Warfarin, Aspirin, and Clopidogrel.
- ACE inhibitors: These are used for treating high blood pressure. They include lisinopril (Zestril), fosinopril (Monopril), captopril (Capoten), and enalapril (Vasotec).
- Diuretics: These increase the passing of urine and include hydrocholorothiazide and furosemide (Lasix).
- Lithium: This is used to treat the manic episodes of manic depression. Rosemary can act as a diuretic and cause lithium to reach toxic levels in the body.
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