In folk medicine, rosemary has been associated for centuries with having a good memory. But can rosemary actually improve memory, or is it merely a folk tale?
Rosemary is considered a cognitive stimulant and can help improve memory performance and quality. It is also known to boost alertness, intelligence, and focus. The aroma of rosemary has been linked to improving mood, clearing the mind, and relieving stress in those with chronic anxiety or stress hormone imbalances.
Science is finding that rosemary can make you smarter and more alert, thanks to a chemical compound in the plant. And all you have to do is breathe in the sweet scent!
There’s a small but growing body of research that has found the smell of rosemary can actually stimulate your memory, improve your mood, and make you more alert and accurate.
How and why it works is still largely unknown, and eating rosemary does not seem to have the same effect on the brain.
But, these findings indicate fresh rosemary or rosemary essential oil could have potential as a straightforward and cost-effective solution to improving academic performance in children, as well as workplace performance in adults.