The aroma of rosemary is so uplifting that simply smelling this herb rapidly alleviates the mind of stress and lowers cortisol levels.
This occurs because the aromas of rosemary act on the level of the hypothalamus in the brain. A relaxing effect to the hypothalamus thereby regulates and improves the glucocorticoid hormone cortisol. Lower cortisol levels help reduce anxiety, increase focus, boost mood, and memory.
Rosemary is also known for its antifungal, antibacterial, antiaging, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties! With rosemary’s long list of superpowers, no wonder it’s a super herb!
Below I cover many benefits that rosemary has on different parts of the body & mind.
The Gut
One of the most common ways we use rosemary is by eating it. Since the gut is our second brain, and it is connected to the actual brain through the gut-brain axis, then ingesting rosemary benefits this whole system. Rosemary can help keep inflammation in the gut at bay, which helps keep inflammation around the brain controlled as well. Signs like bloating, constipation, acid reflux, and heartburn indicate inflammation in the gut. This likely happens when there are too many toxins or too much visceral fat in the body, making it difficult to digest. It also increases difficulty for the liver to function as a filter and hormone regulator, which relates back to the hypothalamus.
If you suffer from any of these gut issues, then you may use rosemary as an excellent liver detoxifier. Fresh or dried rosemary sprinkled into your cooking, or having a rosemary tea a few times per week, can help regulate liver problems by flushing out toxins when ingested.
Memory
Studies show that memory can become influenced or affected under stress, so you may want to have some rosemary essential oil to smell or a rosemary tea to drink when you need to regulate acute stress and enhance performance. For example, one smell of rosemary essential before an important meeting, a sport or competition, or a test can improve your results.
Muscles
Rosemary is also commonly used for relief of muscle soreness, heavy legs, and joint inflammation. Often found in muscle-ache creams along with other pain-relieving herbs like wintergreen or menthol. Due to its anti-neuralgic properties, which means it reduces pain associated with nerve irritation, it can also help fascial congestion seen at the sight of varicose veins or cellulite.
Some of the main musculoskeletal benefits rosemary has on the body include relief of:
Cramps
Cellulite
Heavy legs
Spider/Varicose veins
Rheumatism
Arthrosis
Arthritis
You may use a 2-3 drops of rosemary essential oil mixed with another base oil like coconut oil or your body lotion to receive these benefits. Essential oils are potent so they must be diluted. Likewise, you may ask for rosemary essential oil during your next aromatherapy massage, where your massage therapist (like me) will use a diluted blend.
Hair
There’s been lots of buzz on the internet lately about how good rosemary is for the hair, and they’re all true! Rosemary is so powerful on the scalp! Rosemary helps:
Nourish hair follicles
Decrease dandruff
Prevent hair loss
Promote new hair growth
Make hair silky and smooth
Improve shine significantly
If you’ve been noticing more hair falling out, more dandruff, and more damage, then try one of these! Rosemary oil or rosemary water and how to make it:
Rosemary Oil: Use 3 sprigs rosemary & 40ml olive oil or castor oil. Place both ingredients in a bowl or jar over another pot of boiling water, this is a double boiler method. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
Strain into a small glass jar or 40ml dropper.
Use 3-5 drops, 1-2x per week in the shower with your conditioner, then rinse.
May need up to 4 weeks to repair damage and see new results.
Rosemary Water: 3 sprigs of dried or fresh rosemary in one pot of boiling water. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and pour into a mug or glass jar. For instant use in the shower, rinse the conditioner out of your hair with the rosemary water. May be kept in a spray bottle in the fridge for 7 days for more treatment.
Rosemary Tea: Likewise, leftover hot rosemary water is also your next cup of rosemary tea!
Spiritual
Every herb, plant and animal have a spiritual meaning, including rosemary. In many spiritual practices, rosemary is considered as a protecting, cleansing, and purifying herb. It is believed to clear negative energy from the mind, body, and home. Once negativity is cleared, there’s space for more positive energy to take its place, allowing the body & mind to feel more peace and feel a sense of tranquility.
Cleansing ways to use rosemary:
A few drops of rosemary essential oil, once diluted, may be applied to the temples located on each side of the head. Rub that spot with the oil for a few seconds... and breathe.
3-5 drops of rosemary essential oil may also be added to your diffuser, making your home fill up with the joy associated with this aroma.
Lastly, a dried rosemary stick may be burned to clear the air, just like a sage or Palo Santo stick. Go to the area of your body or the area of your home that needs clearing and say a few words, known as a cleansing mantra, as the smoke passes through that area.
Here is a popular mantra I personally like to use when purifying:
"Clear the air of the past,
Bring in happiness at long last.
Cleanse this space with hope and love,
Send my messages up above.
Thank you, and so, it is."
This sequence of phrases relieves the feelings that arose from the last stress that just occurred, or past stress still lingering, and allows love to take its place. Finally, giving it up to the Universe or God, or any other guides or angels you like to work with.
I encourage you to connect with the potent smell of rosemary and use rosemary more often. You will surely be on your way to feeling a better gut, a calmer body, a more focused mind, and a more guided path.
Namaste.
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