Medicinal rosemary: beneficial properties and contraindications

Rosemary is a fragrant evergreen shrub with thin, needle-like leaves. It has a unique coniferous aroma, which can be felt by rubbing a leaf of a plant between two fingers. During the flowering period, the shrub is covered with flowers of a pale lilac color. The plant is especially actively used in the field of cooking, as well as in aromatherapy because of the essential oil it contains. It is often cultivated as a healing culture due to its unique characteristics. Detailed information about the medicinal properties of rosemary and contraindications to its use, as well as recipes from the plant will be useful in everyday life.

The content of nutrients in rosemary

Rosemary has been known for its unique beneficial properties since ancient times and has been actively used as a disinfectant and bactericidal agent. The plant was used to disinfect the air in hospitals, as well as for religious rituals.

In our time, the scope of the plant has expanded: experts note the benefits of its aroma for the nervous system and blood circulation in the brain. The plant helps to improve memory, get rid of insomnia, relieve stress and depression. All these beneficial properties of the plant are due to its composition. The bush leaves contain:

• Vitamins A, B, C, E, PP;
• Macronutrients: magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium and zinc;
• Trace elements: zinc, manganese, selenium and iron;
• Lauric acid, which helps to strengthen the immune system and the formation of "good" cholesterol in the body, as well as has an antiviral effect;
• Caprylic acid: has antibacterial properties;
• Palmitic acid, which is beneficial for the skin by retaining moisture in its cells and preventing inflammation;
• Linoleic acid: takes part in the metabolic processes of the body, improves metabolism;
• Myristic acid: acts as a conductor of vitamins to the cells of the body;
• Oleic acid: promotes a sense of vigor, gives the body energy;
• Isoleucine: responsible for blood glucose and hemoglobin levels;
• Valine: participates in nitrogen metabolism in tissues;
• Lysine: plays an important role in the restoration and regeneration of tissues, helps calcium to be better absorbed in cells;
• Tryptophan: acts as an antidepressant that improves metabolic processes;
• Threonine: promotes the production of elastin and collagen, maintains a healthy skin;
• Phytosterols: rid the body of "bad" cholesterol, improve the health of the cardiovascular system.

Calorie content of rosemary

Calorie content of fresh rosemary:

Total calories: 131.6 kcal / 100 g (9.2% of the RDA)

• Proteins: 3.3 g (4.3%);
• Fat: 6 g (9.08%);
• Carbohydrates: 6.8 g (5.17%)
• Dietary Fiber: 14 g (70.5%)
• Water: 68 g (2.65%).

Calorie content of dried rosemary:

• Total calories: 330 kcal (23.2% of the norm);
• Proteins: 5 g (5.97%);
• Fat: 15.1 g (23.3%);
• Carbohydrates: 21.6 g (16.8%)
• Dietary Fiber: 42 g (213%)
• Water: 9.3 g (0.3%).

Why rosemary is good for women

Besides the general benefits for the body, the shrub has unique healing properties for the female body. Experts recommend using the plant for menstrual irregularities, as well as during menopause. Taking 1 - 2 teaspoons of rosemary infusion per day will have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system, help restore mental balance and improve sleep.

In addition, the beneficial properties of rosemary are actively used to treat thrush (female candidiasis).

Rosemary manifests its properties at the cellular level, activating metabolic processes throughout the body, providing a healing effect.

Is it possible to use rosemary during pregnancy

Many experts are sure that the use of rosemary during pregnancy has many contraindications for the body of women, however, in some cases, decoctions and tinctures from the plant have useful properties for the expectant mother.

Rosemary products provoke contraction of the muscles of the uterus, which can cause premature termination of pregnancy or heavy uterine bleeding. That is why it is categorically not recommended to use the plant in the first trimester of pregnancy. The use of shrub essential oil in the second and third trimesters also needs to be done with utmost care. During this period, a small amount of aroma oil is allowed to be used for therapeutic aromatherapy, which promotes the production of dopamine, which helps to reduce the level of irritability and anxiety, and improve the mood of the expectant mother.

Raw materials are also actively used for therapeutic massage, which helps to eliminate pain in the lower back, and also relieves swelling of the legs.

A tincture will also be useful for a pregnant woman, helping to eliminate brittle hair. To prepare it, put a handful of rosemary in a saucepan and pour 200 ml of boiling water, and then insist for an hour. Rinse hair with the prepared solution immediately after shampooing.

Is rosemary possible with breastfeeding

Rosemary is characterized by its active stimulating effect on lactation, therefore, the use of funds from it during breastfeeding will be especially useful in case of a lack of milk. In addition, the property of the plant to eliminate migraines, dizziness and insomnia, as well as to deny the tonic effect, will be useful to a woman during this period. Preparations with bush raw materials in the composition will prevent the appearance of viral diseases in both the mother and the baby.

Why rosemary is good for men

The beneficial properties of rosemary are also suitable for strengthening men's health: a medicinal decoction from the plant helps to cope with diseases of the genitourinary sphere. It is also effective with weak potency. To prepare the broth, the ingredients are used:

• rosemary - 2 tsp;
• sage - 1 tsp;
• immortelle - 1 tsp

Pour the mixture with a liter of boiling water and let it brew for 2 - 3 hours. Then the broth must be drained and taken 4 - 5 times a day 15 minutes before or after a meal.Experts recommend using only fresh, freshly prepared broth: this way the remedy will give the greatest benefit. The course of treatment is 10 - 30 days.

Applying the medicinal properties of rosemary

The properties of the shrub and the amount of useful components in its composition explain its widespread use. The use of rosemary is also widespread in medicine due to the therapeutic effect that preparations with its content have on the body:

• The plant has the ability to soothe pain in the body;
• Remove accumulated toxins and toxins from the body;
• Have a diuretic and choleretic effect;
• Improve and strengthen the immune system;
• Normalize the functioning of the liver;
• Remove bloating and flatulence in the intestines, heal gastritis and ulcers;
• Improve metabolism;
• Contribute to the normalization of high blood pressure;
• Provide antiviral and antibacterial action;
• Fight fungal infections;
• Disinfect and heal wounds;
• Improve the work of the cardiovascular system;
• Strengthen the nervous system;
• Increase resistance to stress.

What rosemary heals

Rosemary is widely used in the field of medicine due to its rich content of useful elements in its composition. The unique medicinal properties of the plant have a positive effect on various systems of the human body.

Treatment of gynecological diseases

Rosemary leaves are actively used to treat gynecological diseases. The most common remedies are decoctions and tinctures for internal use, douches and baths. Indications for treatment include candidiasis, menstrual irregularities, lack of breast milk, leucorrhoea, vaginal itching, severe symptoms of menopause, impaired psychoemotional state, insomnia, depression, hormonal disorders.

To prepare a medicinal decoction for external use, you will need: one share of rosemary, yarrow, sage leaves, as well as two shares of oak bark. Pour 100 g of the mixture with three liters of water, then bring to a boil and let it brew. The broth should be used on a regular basis for douching.

Applying the healing properties of rosemary to treat joints

Rosemary is rich in medicinal antioxidants that have the ability to prevent wear and tear on the joints, which is especially important for people with arthrosis. Experts recommend using the leaves of the plant for making sauces, soups, mashed potatoes, fish and meat dishes. Another option for use can be tea: for this, the dry leaves of the plant are poured with boiling water. However, it should be remembered that drinking more than three cups a day of this tea is not recommended.

Benefits of rosemary for treating colds

The beneficial properties of rosemary help in the treatment of colds, especially coughs. The plant has a soothing effect on irritated areas, reducing inflammation.

• The medicinal broth can be used in its pure form as a tea, as well as for gargling. For its preparation, you should take 2 tsp. dry crushed raw materials and pour it with 1 glass of boiled water, then boil for 20 minutes. The resulting broth should be well filtered and taken 30 minutes before meals, a teaspoonful 3 times a day;
• Rosemary tincture has similar properties: 20 g of dry crushed leaves of the plant should be poured with a glass of vodka or alcohol, and then let it brew for 10 days. Drink the tincture 3 times a day half an hour before meals (at the rate of 25 drops per 2 tablespoons of water).

The use of rosemary in the treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels

Another medicinal property of rosemary is considered to be the ability to lower high blood pressure, which is of particular benefit for people with cardiovascular problems.For people who have had a stroke, it is recommended to take a tincture, which helps to improve blood circulation in the brain.

The plant also does a good job of treating migraines by inhaling the scent of its essential oil.

Benefits of rosemary for the brain

Rosemary helps to improve the memorization process. Under the influence of the essential oil of a plant, complex chemical processes begin to occur in the body, which are not inferior in effect to medications.

Carnosic acid in the plant has the ability to neutralize free radicals and thereby prolong the youthfulness of the brain. Thanks to complex chemical compounds that increase the concentration of acetylcholine, a good memory is formed, the level of fatigue decreases and the body's performance increases as a whole.

Eating fresh rosemary (or the essential oil of the plant) will provide invaluable benefits for the functioning of the nervous system:

• Improves the level of long-term memory;
• Strengthens working memory;
• Will increase the volume of memorized material by 60 - 70%;
• Will improve the speed and accuracy of thinking processes.

Is rosemary good for weight loss?

Rosemary is often used for marinating meat: the elements in its composition help the body to digest heavy fatty and protein foods faster, significantly speed up metabolic processes, due to which the body burns calories more actively. However, it is worth remembering: the use should be accompanied by proper nutrition and physical activity, then the benefits of the plant for weight loss will increase several times.

The use of rosemary in traditional medicine

In folk medicine, rosemary oil is most often used, which can be made even at home:

1. Pour the rosemary leaves into a glass jar and then pour over with olive oil or jojoba oil.
2. Leave in a bright place for 6 weeks.

Homemade rosemary oil has the ability to reduce muscle pain and boost the functioning of the nervous system. With a runny nose and diseases of the respiratory system, it is used as an additive for inhalation, which helps to ease breathing and remove chest stiffness. To do this, take two tablespoons of rosemary, pour boiling water over and inhale for several minutes. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to hold the head over the steam and cover it with a towel.

Rosemary tea and homemade oil infusion from the leaves help to activate mental activity: thanks to the active substances in the plant, the action of free radicals is blocked, which slows down the aging process. In addition, such a healing homemade tea has the ability to relieve heartburn attacks and restore normal digestion.

Oil infusion is used externally as a remedy to eliminate eczema, headache and joint pain. Research in Germany has proven the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of rosemary.

By inhaling the scent of rosemary and lavender oils, you can increase your stress tolerance and ease the symptoms of depression - by reducing cortisol, the stress hormone.

Home remedies with rosemary are also hygienic and healthful: they are useful in treating gum disease and tooth decay, as well as eliminating bad breath. To do this, it is enough to pour boiling water over a few branches of the shrub, add a little cloves and let the solution brew. Use to rinse your mouth on a regular basis.

The use of homemade rosemary oil also has a therapeutic effect on the condition of the skin: to get rid of eczema, acne, heal wounds and relieve inflammation after an insect bite.

The use of rosemary in cosmetology

In the field of cosmetology, fresh plant greens, rosemary oil and extract, as well as tinctures and decoctions from dry leaves are used.

Why rosemary is good for hair

The beneficial properties of rosemary help fight hair loss, dandruff, dullness and split ends.

To accelerate hair growth, increase their density and elasticity, rinse with decoction from the shoots is used. To do this, use fresh or dry raw materials of the plant, which are brewed with boiling water and allowed to brew for several hours, after which the hair is rinsed with the agent after shampooing.

To get rid of dandruff, seborrhea and itching, rosemary oil is invaluable, 6 - 7 drops of which are mixed with 50 ml of chamomile infusion. The resulting product must be rubbed into the scalp an hour before washing, until the disease completely disappears.

To strengthen the hair structure, it is recommended to add 10-15 drops of rosemary oil to the shampoo. Reviews of women showed: after using shampoo with rosemary, the hair becomes much stronger in structure and more resistant to thermal effects.

Another equally effective way to improve hair condition is aroma combing, for which it is best to use a wooden comb. A few drops of essential oil are applied to the ends of the comb, after which the hair is intensively combed along the entire length for 10-15 minutes. Aroma combing has benefits for strengthening the roots, helps to make them silky and gives a natural shine.

How to use rosemary for cellulite

Another beneficial property of rosemary is its beneficial effect on the skin of the body: the substances in the plant help to even out its relief, start anti-aging processes and stimulate blood circulation in the body. Under the influence of rosemary essential oil, cellulite gradually disappears, the skin is tightened, it becomes more elastic and attractive in appearance. Rosemary also helps to improve hormonal levels, which also affects the appearance of "orange peel" on the body.

To get rid of cellulite, body wraps with essential oil and baths based on it are used.

Benefits of rosemary for the face

Rosemary is especially beneficial for the skin of the face: the healing properties of the plant help relieve inflammation, even out the skin relief and give the face a healthy and fresh look. It is worth remembering that the use of rosemary extract is recommended only for problematic or oily skin, since alcohol is present in the preparation.

Applying rosemary for acne

If a rosemary shrub grows on the site, the branches of the plant are suitable for use: it is necessary to pluck and thoroughly rinse one branch, ceiling and lubricate the face with the resulting juice 1 - 2 times a day. Such a natural mask should be on the skin for about 20-30 minutes, after which it should be washed off with warm water. A concentrated infusion of dry raw materials has similar medicinal properties, if you brew 1 tbsp. l. 50 ml of boiling water. It is recommended to use the product as a tonic for wiping the face. Such an infusion should be stored exclusively in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.

Rosemary masks

For the preparation of masks, rosemary oil or a plant extract, which can be bought at any pharmacy, is most often used. A few drops of the product are added to the mask corresponding to the skin type (it is allowed to add both to self-prepared masks and to purchased ones).

As a homemade mask, you can use gruel from fresh herbs, cucumber, oatmeal and the pulp of any nutritious fruit. You need to keep the mixture on your face for 15 - 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Thanks to the beneficial elements in its composition, rosemary has the property of saturating the skin with vitamins, rejuvenating it, preventing the appearance of wrinkles and activating metabolic processes in the epidermis.

In the preparation of rosemary masks, the use of fresh herbs is encouraged, but it is worth remembering the content of ethers and camphor in it.

You can find out more information about the beneficial and medicinal properties of rosemary, as well as contraindications for its use, from the video:

How to take rosemary medicinally

The healing properties of rosemary contribute to the normalization of the functioning of many systems of the human body. There are many ways to use the plant for medicinal purposes, the most popular of which are teas, tinctures, decoctions and baths using rosemary.

Benefits of rosemary tea

Back in the middle of the 16th century, Dr. Paracelsus used rosemary tea as a healing and tonic agent for the functioning of the brain, liver and cardiovascular system. To date, many other medicinal properties of the plant have been discovered, including its powerful antioxidant effect, as well as its ability to treat many diseases.

1. Rosemary has a mild pain relieving effect, which helps to quickly relieve headaches and other types of pain.
2. Drinking rosemary tea has been approved by German researchers for treating digestive disorders.
3. American nutritionist Phyllis Balch recommended using rosemary tea to treat skin rashes and eczema. The plant's antiseptic properties will also be beneficial in getting rid of fungal skin infections.
4. The drink contains camphor, which helps relieve muscle aches and rheumatic pains. A study published in the Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology of Canada in September 2007 confirmed that rosemary tea is especially effective when combined with other herbs in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
5. One of the best known benefits of rosemary tea is to stimulate the circulatory system in the body. Studies have shown that drinking the drink dilates the arteries and increases serum activity in the blood, which reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis in young people several times.
6. To accelerate hair growth, it is recommended to rub the grass of tea into the scalp immediately after shampooing.

Rosemary Lemon Tea Recipe:

• 400 ml boiling water;
• 1 branch of rosemary;
• 1 - 2 lemon wedges.

Pour boiling water over rosemary and lemon, leave for 10 minutes.

Ginger and Rosemary Tea:

• 400 - 500 ml of boiling water;
• 1 branch of rosemary;
• ginger;
• 1 - 3 lemon wedges.

The average infusion time is 10 minutes. Tea is served with honey, white or brown sugar.

This drink has medicinal properties: it strengthens the nervous system, cleanses the blood and increases the body's resistance to viral influences. Green tea with rosemary also has a similar effect.

Despite all the benefits of the drink, it is important to carefully read the contraindications to the use of rosemary so as not to harm the body.

Why are rosemary baths good for you?

Another option for the therapeutic use of the shrub can be taking baths with the addition of leaves and inflorescences collected during the period of active flowering. The flowers and leaves of rosemary contain a large amount of essential oil, which contains elements such as pinene, camphor, cineole, alkaloids, tannins and boric acid. They help relieve inflammation in the muscles and joints. For this reason, in ancient Rome, there was a custom to rub athletes with rosemary oil for injuries after various competitions.

Experts recommend taking baths with rosemary during psycho-emotional experiences, during periods of lack of sleep, or in case of chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. To prepare a bath, you will need an extract from leaves or flowers (2 tbsp. L.)

Decoctions and infusions

Decoctions and infusions of rosemary will be beneficial in the fight against insomnia, as well as as a tonic. The medicinal properties of the plant help the regulation of the gastrointestinal tract, metabolism, as well as the work of the nervous system. Rosemary infusion is perfect for neuritis, thrombophlebitis, arthritis, as a remedy for the healing of burns and wounds.

1. For infusion on water, pour a glass of boiling water over 2 tsp. chopped dry raw rosemary and leave for half an hour. Then strain and take 4 - 6 times a day. This tincture normalizes the work of the cardiovascular system, improves the outflow of bile, relieves nervous tension. Rosemary infusion with lavender is recommended for use in the post-stroke period. It is able to improve vision, memory, and blood circulation in the brain.
2. To prepare the broth, you need 2 tsp. chopped dry rosemary, which must be poured with a glass of boiling water and kept on fire for 15 - 20 minutes, then drain thoroughly. It should be taken half an hour before meals three times a day, 1 teaspoon. Rosemary broth is useful for stomach cramps, pain in the heart, neurosis, amenorrhea, and also as a tonic for impotence.

Contraindications to taking rosemary

Despite all the benefits of rosemary, there are several important nuances of its use, without reading which, you can cause serious harm to health.

Contraindications to taking rosemary are:

• The initial stage of pregnancy;
• Epilepsy;
• Individual intolerance;
• Seizures;
• Hypersensitivity to the elements in the composition of the plant.

In addition, in order to avoid side effects from taking rosemary, it is recommended to consult with your doctor in advance and obtain, if necessary, an appointment for a course of treatment.

Conclusion

The unique plant rosemary, whose medicinal properties and contraindications have been known since the time of Paracelsus, continue to be actively studied and widely used in recipes for traditional medicine, medicine, cosmetology and cooking. The beneficial properties of the shrub have a positive effect both on the entire body as a whole and on its individual systems. However, taking rosemary products should be carried out with caution, taking into account possible contraindications.

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