Rosemary: Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouse

Rosemary: Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouse

Inflammation
January 02, 2025•3 min read

The plants have enough spirit to transform our limited vision. - Renowned Herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar

Lately I have been using an alcohol extract, also known as a tincture, of rosemary that I made. I just love the diving aromatics of this plant. I have also been adding it to food and hand crafted tea blends. Recently catnip, rosemary, and chamomile was a blend I enjoyed. Rosemary can be intense on it's own in a tea, which is why I take to adding 30 drops of a tincture to hot water and sipping on that with a meal. 🍵

Why do I choose to feature this special plant?

Rosmarinic acid is a potent anti-inflammatory compound contained in Rosemary, and who doesn't need anti-inflammatory these days? It is also naturally found in plants like lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), oregano (Origanum vulgare), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris).

So how does rosmarinic acid work as an anti-inflammatory agent?

  1. Inhibits Pro-Inflammatory Mediators:
    Rosmarinic acid reduces the production of inflammatory molecules.

  2. Antioxidant Properties:
    It scavenges free radicals and protects cells from oxidative damage, which often drives inflammation.

  3. Reduces Enzyme Activity:
    Rosmarinic acid inhibits enzymes that play roles in the inflammatory pathway.

  4. Suppresses Immune Overreaction:
    It modulates the immune response, making it effective for conditions like allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disorders per some research.

Benefits of Rosmarinic Acid for Inflammation include:

  • Skin Health: Some studies show that rosemary soothes conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

  • Joint Health: Beneficial for arthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions due to it's anti-inflammatory compound.

  • Allergies: Reduces histamine response and inflammation associated with allergic rhinitis.

  • Gut Health: Alleviates inflammation in conditions like colitis and IBS and generally alleviates a gassy or bloated feeling due to it's carminative properties. It also helps with digestion of fat and therefore great paired in a fatty meal and is mildly bitter to stimulate the gall bladder and release of bile for digestion.

  • Brain and Cardiovascular health: Great for tension headaches, tense muscles, and overall brain health has it increases blood flow to the brain. It also supports increased concentration and focus. It is a great ally for the elderly and those looking to protect their brain.

  • Hair Growth: Just an added juicy tidbit is Rosemary prevents grey hair and stimulates hair growth. That is why it is often added to shampoos, especially natural ones. The essential oil is most effective in this way.

  • Depression and Mood: Rosemary is an anti-depressant. Just take a whiff of this plant and you will notice how it uplifts.

So many reasons to embrace rosemary! If you’d like to explore more about incorporating these plants into an anti-inflammatory regimen, for local people I will be at R3 Wellness in Durham, NC on January 26th for a special free class on inflammation. For locals and non-locals who wish to receive more help I have just 3 spots available for a free initial consultation to see if my Root 2 Rise Program is the right fit for you :) 🌿

Grab your free consultation:

https://root2risewellness.org/calendar---30mins

Sign up for the FREE class on Inflammation in Durham, NC:

https://r3wellnessnc.com/event/tame-the-flame-unlock-the-secrets-to-reducing-inflammation-naturally/

Resources:

https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/rosemary

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10045493/

Hoffman, David. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press, 2003, pp. 577–578.

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