What are the functions and benefits of rosemary?

Sep 12, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, rosemary, as a common plant used both medicinally and as food, has various functions and benefits, including enhancing alertness, relieving fatigue, promoting digestion, antioxidant effects, and supporting hair care. When using rosemary, one should be aware that its aromatic components may irritate the respiratory tract in some individuals; those with allergies should try a small amount first. Additionally, its quantity should be controlled during cooking to avoid an overpowering flavor that may affect taste.

Generally speaking, as a common plant used both medicinally and culinarily, rosemary has various functions and benefits, including refreshing the mind, relieving fatigue, promoting digestion, providing antioxidant effects, and assisting hair care. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Refreshing the Mind: Rosemary contains volatile aromatic compounds with a fresh and strong fragrance that can stimulate the olfactory nerves, helping to relieve nervous tension and improve lack of concentration and mental fatigue. It is especially suitable for use during work or study, helping maintain a clear state of mind.

2. Relieving Fatigue: The aroma of rosemary can reach the brain through the olfactory system, assisting in regulating nervous system function, reducing physical aches and fatigue caused by exhaustion. It can also improve sleep quality to a certain extent, helping the body regain energy.

3. Promoting Digestion: Rosemary can stimulate gastrointestinal motility and enhance secretion of digestive juices, helping alleviate issues such as indigestion, abdominal bloating, and poor appetite caused by insufficient gastrointestinal motility, promoting digestion and absorption of food in the intestines and reducing gastrointestinal burden.

4. Antioxidant Effects: Rosemary contains antioxidant components such as rosmarinic acid and flavonoids. These components help eliminate excess free radicals in the body, reducing cellular damage, and to some extent delay skin aging and protect the health of body tissues.

5. Assisting Hair Care: Using rosemary essential oil or water prepared from boiled rosemary for hair care can help clean scalp oils, reduce dandruff formation, nourish the scalp and hair strands, enhance hair strength, improve dryness and frizziness, and make hair appear smoother and shinier.

When using rosemary, it is important to note that its aromatic components may irritate the respiratory tract in some individuals; those with allergies should test with a small amount first. When used in cooking, the quantity should also be controlled to avoid an overly strong flavor that may affect taste.

View All

What are the effects and benefits of rosemary?

Under normal circumstances, the main benefits and effects of rosemary include soothing emotions, antioxidant properties, aiding alertness, improving digestion, and freshening breath. When using rosemary, fresh rosemary can be added as a seasoning to meat and vegetable dishes, while dried rosemary can be steeped in water or used in baking. It is important to monitor the quantity used, as excessive consumption may irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

View Full Answer

Can rosemary be steeped in water for drinking?

In general, rosemary can be steeped in water and consumed as a tea. Rosemary contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, as well as various vitamins and minerals. Drinking rosemary tea in moderation may offer health benefits such as aiding digestion, relieving stress, and enhancing memory. If you are not allergic to rosemary and have no specific health concerns, preparing it as a tea by steeping it in hot water is generally safe.