Rosemary Health Benefits & Nutritional Information

• Blood Pressure: Studies show that the consumption of rosemary can increase blood flow. Due to this improvement in blood circulation, conditions such as high or low blood pressure are stabilized.
• Skin Problems: Skin problems such as varicose veins and bruises also benefit from this increased blood circulation.
• Depression & Stress: Rosemary herb benefits also include reducing tension and stress, treating headaches and muscle pain and improving memory and concentration. Regular use of rosemary has health benefits for depression too. It can calm the nervous system and ease anxiety, thereby reducing the symptoms of depression.
• Kidney Problem: Rosemary has a positive effect on the kidneys. It improves their function by helping to flush out toxins and clean the system.
• Bacterial Infection: With its many curative properties, rosemary has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times. Rosemary contains strong antioxidant characteristics that are very useful in the treatment of bacterial infections.
• Cancer: Research indicates that rosemary may be able to fight the production of cancer and tumor cells especially in the liver and lungs. Since it is also high in vitamin E, rosemary can balance the effects of free radicals in the body and prevent further cell deterioration caused by cancer. It has been proven that hormonal imbalances increase a woman’s chances of cancer. Rosemary can naturally block the excessive production or estrogen that can lead to breast cancer. Unlike other harsh drugs and chemicals, rosemary has no unpleasant side effects and can prevent the occurrence of breast cancer naturally.

• Arthritis: Using rosemary for arthritis treatment is also popular. Creams and lotions with rosemary as an ingredient can reduce arthritic joint and muscle pain. Rosemary oil extract can be rubbed directly onto aching muscles for instant relief as well. Whether rosemary can actually help cure arthritis, however, is still to be affirmed. 
• Pregnant Women: Rosemary is generally safe for use, but it does have some contraindications that must be kept in mind. Pregnant women should avoid rosemary extracts and oils, as should people who suffer from epilepsy, high blood pressure or colitis. Overuse of rosemary can lead to pulmonary edema and gastrointestinal problems as well. Always check with your doctor before starting any new therapy or treatment.
• Skin Care: Rosemary is well known for its powers of cell regeneration. Along with this, it also improves blood circulation and encourages detoxification. Due to these properties, using rosemary for skin care has been popular down the ages.
• Acne: Due to the presence of caffeic and rosemaric acid and its anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary is an effective remedy for acne. Experts suggest that you dab a cotton ball with rosemary oil and wipe your face with it. This prevents inflammations and skin congestion that leads to acne. Regularly massaging rosemary oil into your skin can make acne less noticeable and also prevent it from occurring.
• Eczema: Eczema cure using rosemary and rosemary for the treatment for psoriasis and chronic dermatitis are also possible due to the healing properties of this herb. Rosemary oil can be used in the form of an extract or as a cream or lotion to treat these skin conditions.
• Dry Skin: It is also used as an ingredient in anti-aging creams and lotions for dry and damaged skin. Just beware that there are many cheap imitations of essential oils available. Purchase only pure rosemary essential oil or certified organic essential oils, to get the most benefits and prevent any harmful side effects. 
• Hair Growth: Rosemary is a popular ingredient in many bath and beauty products. It is believed that rosemary for hair growth is very effective as it stimulates hair follicles and encourages cell regeneration. When mixed with tea tree oil, rosemary is a very effective treatment for problems of the scalp. It stimulates the scalp and is therefore used for hair re-growth as well. A number of people suggest that using rosemary shampoos and oil regularly can make hair grow faster and even protect hair fall and baldness. While there is no scientific evidence, rosemary for treatment of hair loss is still gaining popularity.
• Dandruff: Shampoos with rosemary or rosemary oil massaged into the scalp can soothe dry skin and reduce flakiness. As a result, rosemary for dandruff control can also be used.
• Gray Hair: Graying hair coverage using commercial dyes can cause damage to your hair in the long run. To darken your hair color naturally, you can use rosemary rinses. If, however, you have blonde or light hair, using rosemary to darken your hair may not suit you.

• To make a simple rosemary infusion for your hair, boil water and add a few handfuls of rosemary.
• Simmer for 15 minutes and allow it to cool before straining it into a container.
• Use this concoction after shampooing.
• There is no need to rinse it out as it also acts as a leave-in conditioner for your hair.

• Add fresh rosemary to extra-virgin olive oil and let it steep before using.
• Apple cider vinegar combined with fresh rosemary can lessen hair fall and add luster to dull hair.

Nutrition From Rosemary

• As with most herbs, calories in rosemary are nearly negligible with only 2kcal per tablespoon.
• The nutritional benefits of rosemary are due to it being a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.
• Other nutritional facts of rosemary include it being a low fat food that is comparatively high in fiber and carbohydrates. 2 teaspoons of rosemary contains less that one gram of protein or fat but is packed with minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and iron.
• In addition to all this, rosemary has other nutrition benefits such as a high antioxidant content that results in its superb ant-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

• Remove the leaves from the branch and chop them before adding to your dish.
• If you are using the fresh herb, always rinse it in cold water to get rid of any pesticides or dirt and to keep the nutrients intact.
• If you are adding rosemary to food as a seasoning, use lesser quantities when using dried rosemary.
• You can buy dried rosemary in most supermarkets or make your own by hanging a bundle of sprigs upside down.
• These will dry in a few days and you can use them as required.

• Rosemary is a popular herb in most Mediterranean dishes and goes well with meat, poultry, tomatoes, aubergines, and potatoes.
• You can use rosemary along with other herbs but keep in mind that the taste and aroma of rosemary tends to be stronger than most others. Another delectable way of consuming rosemary, apart from the usual savory dishes, is in desserts.
• Dishes such as rosemary ice cream and sorbets and rosemary biscuits and shortbread are now becoming increasingly popular.
• Rosemary and chocolate is another combination that works surprisingly well.
• If you barbeque often, throw in a couple of sprigs of fresh rosemary onto the hot coals for a lovely smoky taste to your meats.