As we age so does our brain, I leave a room searching for something and can’t remember what it was. I have also searched throughout the house for my glasses only to discover they were on the top of my head. To make an effort to combat my forgetfulness, I started to play games on my computer and phone, solve word puzzles, and read daily. I also added ginkgo biloba to my daily vitamin and supplement regimen. This combination seemed to help, however after doing some research on the subject, I discovered a study about rosemary improving your memory.
I posted a Blog about foods that help retain memory such as fruits, greens, kale, broccoli, legumes, whole grains, fish rich in Omega 3’s, like salmon, and seeds. However, the correlation between smelling rosemary and brain health was news to me.
A study by researchers in the United Kingdom concluded that smelling rosemary could improve memory. Volunteers for the study were all over the age of 65. Participants were placed in rooms with no scent and in rooms diffused with the smell of rosemary.
Those participants in the rosemary-diffused room performed 15% better on memory tests than those in the nonscented rooms. To ensure the smell of the rosemary was the cause researchers collected blood samples. Participants in the rosemary-diffused room had a compound known as 1,8 cineole, present in their blood. This compound had been shown in prior research to be involved in memory process. The compound was in the blood after being inhaled through the nose.
Further studies are to be done, but for me the 15% improvement of memory is good enough to burn rosemary oil in my diffuser. Fresh rosemary has health benefits of being an antioxidant, antiinflamatory, protects against macular degeneration, improves digestion,combats hair loss, and arthritis, to name a few.
Rosemary is always in my kitchen, fresh and dried, as it adds flavor to so many dishes. I will be purchasing rosemary oil and diffusing it regularly. It may possibley help me with the short memory lapses that are prevalent in the sixty and older age group.
Another weapon in my arsenal to help on my health journey. Give it a try, it certainly won’t hurt and the scent of rosemary is so soothing.
Until next time,
Peace, Love, and Blessings❤️
