Meet the Herb: Rosemary

Latin Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Herb Class/Action: Carminative, antispasmodic, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antioxidant, emmenagogue, circulatory stimulant, nootropic
Parts Used: Leaves
Flavors: Bitter, aromatic 
Energetics: Warming
Traditional Benefits: Circulatory support, liver support, digestive support, microbiome support, brain support, memory support, mood support musculoskeletal support, energy support

“Rosemary for remembrance.” A true kitchen medicine, Rosemary is a warming herb that helps invigorate and strengthen the mind, body, and digestion. As an aromatic, this herb is also to protect the spirit and the home.

An evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean, Rosemary is now commonly found throughout most of Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It stands out for its “abnormal” flowering season (this plant can be seen flowering tiny blue blooms nearly every month) and for the profound ways in which it supports cognitive health, microbiome and digestive function. Used in both food and herbal remedies since Ancient Greece and Rome, Rosemary is primarily thought of as a “memory herb.”

These days, herbalists turn to Rosemary to help address stagnation in the mind, body, and soul (associated with sluggish build-up that can come from cold, damp tissue states over time – think poor digestion leading to brain fog). This warming herb helps support healthy mood, memory, and energy with its invigorating, aromatic oils. Its leaves can be consumed straight off the bush, but it’s most commonly dried and used to make tea or extracted into a tincture/oil for herbal uses.

Rosemary has been the subject of many scientific studies—examining everything from memory and cognitive performance to hair growth (thanks to its ability to support healthy blood circulation and nutrient delivery to the scalp). Through these studies, we’ve found out what makes Rosemary such a beneficial herb: it’s a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that act directly on the gut-brain (and pretty much gut-everything!) axis. 

More specifically, it contains carnosic and rosmarinic acids, which are shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties—again, ideal for supporting healthy immune and inflammatory responses. The volatile oils, which give Rosemary its renowned aroma and pleasant flavor, have been shown to have carminative (gas/bloating reducing) properties. As a bitter herb, it’s also associated with stimulating the digestive system to support healthy elimination.  

“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance, pray you love, remember.”
– Ophelia, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet