Rosemary the versatile herb

Health benefits of taking rosemary (Photo: iStock)

Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is an evergreen perennial shrub with needle-shaped leaves and a pleasant fragrance that belongs to the sage family.

Rosemary is an essential part of most homes, used mainly as a spice to flavour our food. Most of us have the impression that this is all rosemary does, but it has a wide range of benefits for us and the whole family.

Here are some of the benefits of having rosemary in your home:

Benefits hair

Rosemary benefits our hair in various ways such as by making it longer, thicker and shinier by adding its extract to any carrier oil and making rosemary oil, or making hair spray from it.

Being rich in antioxidants rosemary helps in reducing irritations such as dandruff thus keeping your scalp clean and healthy.

Treats the skin

Rosemary oil when mixed with lotion or any carrier oil of choice and applied to the skin can benefit it numerously as it contains antioxidant properties that treat the skin from any skin ailment such as dark spots and acne.

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It can also hydrate and moisturize your skin thus giving you healthy glowing skin.

Stress reliever

A lot of things or people surrounding us can cause us to stress over various issues and events, this is not healthy for our bodies.

One can reduce their stress levels by inhaling the scent of rosemary either through oils or using a diffuser, this helps in reducing the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your blood.

The scent is also relaxing thus creating a good mood for resting and letting lose.

This will eventually help one deal with anxiety and depression which are accompanied by high-stress levels.

Reduces Inflammation

Various studies show that rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties, when one is in pain they can mix rosemary oil with any carrier oil and apply it while massaging the affected areas.

After a while, they will experience ease and the soreness would have faded, can be used for any pain be it headaches, backaches or even arthritis. Its pleasant scent can soothe tense nerves, allowing one to feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Improves digestion

Rosemary can help relieve indigestion, bloating, gas and constipation by regulating the creation of bile which is important in digestion.

It can also be used to stimulate appetite which allows one to eat properly and maintain their body sizes. It can be extracted to get the oil or one can sip its tea so as to benefit from it.

Good oral health

Rosemary can be used to counter bad breath by simply using it as a mouthwash. It kills bacteria which can cause plaque, gingivitis and cavities.

It also contains calcium which is an essential mineral for the teeth as it strengthens the enamel thus preventing tooth decay and can repair places where acids have damaged teeth.

Improve memory

Rosemary when extracted to attain oil, used in tea or added to a diffuser can be used to boost memory and concentration as it increases mental alertness.

This allows one to fully focus on what they are working on thus maximum productivity.