Latest news with #rosemary
The Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
The herb linked to better memory, lower anxiety and Alzheimer's protection
Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ), the aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean, has long been treasured in kitchens around the world. But beyond its culinary charm, rosemary is also gaining recognition for its impressive health benefits, especially when it comes to brain health, inflammation and immune function. Research suggests rosemary may even hold promise in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Historically, rosemary has been linked to memory and mental clarity. In ancient Greece and Rome, students and scholars used rosemary in the hope of sharpening concentration and recall. Modern science is finding there may have been something in this: in one study, people who inhaled rosemary's scent performed better on memory tasks compared to those in an unscented environment. So, how does rosemary work on the brain? There are several mechanisms at play. Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) is the aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean (Getty) For starters, rosemary stimulates blood circulation, including to the brain, helping deliver more oxygen and nutrients, which may improve mental clarity. It also has calming properties; some studies suggest its aroma can reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Lower stress can mean better focus and memory retention. Rosemary contains compounds that interact with the brain's neurotransmitters. One such compound, 1,8-cineole, helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical essential for learning and memory. By preserving acetylcholine, rosemary may help support cognitive performance, especially as we age. Another bonus? Rosemary is packed with antioxidants, which help protect brain cells from damage caused by oxidative stress – a major factor in cognitive decline. Rosemary is rich in phytochemicals, plant compounds with health-enhancing effects. One of the most powerful is carnosic acid, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that helps shield brain cells from harm, particularly from the kinds of damage linked to Alzheimer's disease. Research suggests rosemary may even hold promise in the fight against Alzheimer's disease (Getty/iStock) In 2025, researchers developed a stable version of carnosic acid called diAcCA. In promising pre-clinical studies, this compound improved memory, boosted the number of synapses (the connections between brain cells), and reduced harmful Alzheimer's related proteins like amyloid-beta and tau. What's especially exciting is that diAcCA only activates in inflamed brain regions, which could minimise side effects. So far, studies in mice show no signs of toxicity and significant cognitive improvements, raising hopes that human trials could be next. Researchers also believe diAcCA could help treat other inflammatory conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Parkinson's disease. Beyond brain health Rosemary's benefits could extend well beyond the brain. It's been used traditionally to ease digestion, relieve bloating and reduce inflammation. Compounds like rosmarinic acid and ursolic acid are known for their anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body. Rosemary may even benefit the skin – a review suggests it can help soothe acne and eczema, while carnosic acid may offer anti-ageing benefits by protecting skin from sun damage. Rosemary oil also has antimicrobial properties, showing promise in food preservation and potential pharmaceutical applications by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi. For most people, rosemary is safe when used in food, teas or aromatherapy. But concentrated doses or extracts can pose risks. Consuming large amounts may cause vomiting or, in rare cases, seizures – particularly in people with epilepsy. There's also a theoretical risk of rosemary stimulating uterine contractions, so pregnant people should avoid high doses. Because rosemary can interact with some medications – such as blood thinners – it's best to check with a healthcare provider before taking large amounts in supplement form. Rosemary is more than just a kitchen staple. It's a natural remedy with ancient roots and modern scientific backing. As research continues, particularly into breakthrough compounds like diAcCA, rosemary could play an exciting role in future treatments for Alzheimer's and other chronic conditions. In the meantime, adding a little rosemary to your life – whether in a meal, a cup of tea, or a breath of its fragrant oil – could be a small step with big health benefits. Dipa Kamdar is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Five ways to quench your thirst this heatwave with our non-alcoholic coolers
WITH the current scorchio temperatures, a cooling drink is a must. But if you're bored with water and better without beer, it can be hard to know what to choose. Quench your thirst with these non-alcoholic coolers. WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS: Fill a jug with homemade lemonade. Peel off the zest of six unwaxed lemons, then squeeze out the juice and set aside. Add the zest to 125g sugar and 400ml water in a saucepan, and boil slowly, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the lemon juice and leave to cool then strain into a jug and top up with sparkling water. BERRY NICE: If you're a fan of raspberries, you'll love this juicy summer cooler. Blend 40ml Belvoir Raspberry & Lemon Cordial with 40ml lemon juice, 80ml cloudy apple juice and a chunk of watermelon. Sieve it into a glass filled with ice cubes and garnish with more watermelon or raspberries. COOL AS A CUCUMBER: Chop a peeled cucumber and blitz in a food mixer with a small handful of mint leaves. Sieve the juice into a bowl, then mix with 250ml elderflower cordial and the juice of four limes. Pour into glasses filled with ice and garnish with mint. How to make whipped lemonade - TikTok's latest viral trend WHAT A PEACH: Tip a 400g tin of peaches, juice and all, into a blender and add the juice of a lemon. Blitz until smooth, then push through a fine sieve. Discard any pulp and pour the puree into a large jug. Fill with ice cubes and stir, then top with 300ml sparkling water and 50ml elderflower cordial. Add some rosemary sprigs and a sliced peach, if you like. Find more drink recipes for drinks at realfood. MONSTER MASH: Mash 25 strawberries and mix with a litre of lemonade, the juice of two limes and a small handful of freshly chopped mint leaves. Then serve in four cooled glasses filled with cubes of ice. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability 7 Deal of the day GIVE your room a glow with two yellow Martha lamps from John Lewis, down from £90 to £45 for the pair. Cheap treat 7 COOL off with Cadbury Dairy Milk ice cream, down from £4 to £2 at Iceland. Top swap GET glossy locks with Elvive Extraordinary Oil shampoo, £2.75 from Sainsbury's, or lather up with Lacura Hair Refine Oil Complex shampoo, £1.19 at Aldi. Shop & save 7 STOCK up with Co-op's new deal, five frozen favourites – including eight Birds Eye fish fingers – for £6 for members, £6.50 for non-members. Hot right now FAMILIES can enjoy a free kid's meal with every adult main meal at Beefeater. Sign up to your local restaurant's newsletter. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dementia risk 'can be reduced' by herb that's easy to grow in kitchens and gardens
Dementia affects millions of people worldwide, and the numbers are increasing. There is currently an estimated 982,000 people with dementia in the UK, and it is predicted that 1.4 million people will be living with dementia by 2040, according to the Alzheimer's Society. However, new research has emerged that suggests that a common herb that's easy to grow in your kitchen or garden can actually reduce the risk of getting the brain disorder. Rich in natural compounds that support memory and protect brain cells, this everyday plant is gaining attention as a simple yet powerful ally in the fight against dementia. The secret weapon: rosemary. The herb has long been associated with sharper memory and improved mental clarity, and even appeared in Shakespeare's Hamlet, where Ophelia stated: "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance." READ MORE: Scientist reveals that eating this one fruit a day will lower inflammation READ MORE: Early dementia symptom that could show up when you're on holiday But now modern science is exploring whether rosemary can be linked to aiding Alzheimer's disease. In a 2025 study published in Antioxidants, researchers explored the benefits of carnosic acid, which is a natural compound found in rosemary and sage. Carnosic acid is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which activate the body's natural defence enzymes. However, "pure carnosic acid" is too unstable for direct use as a drug, so a more stable form called diAcCA was developed, which converts to carnosic acid in the gut, reported Scripps Research. Research showed "that when diAcCA was used to treat mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, it achieved therapeutic doses of carnosic acid in the brain and led to enhanced memory and synaptic density, or more synapses (representing the connections between nerve cells), in the brain. "Because the decline of neuronal synapses is also closely correlated to dementia in Alzheimer's disease, this approach could counteract the progression of cognitive decline." A health expert at the Independent also shared that rosemary can enhance mental clarity by boosting blood flow to the brain, delivering more oxygen and nutrients. Its calming aroma has also been linked to reduced anxiety and better sleep, both key for focus and memory. Another study conducted by a team at Northumbria University found a link between rosemary oil, lavender oil and memory performance. A doctor who participated in the study spoke to the BBC and shared: "It turns out that there are compounds in rosemary oil that may be responsible for changes in memory performance. "One of them is called 1,8-cineole - as well as smelling wonderful (if you like that sort of thing) it may act in the same way as the drugs licensed to treat dementia, causing an increase in a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine." The compound 1,8-cineole helps preserve acetylcholine, a vital brain chemical for learning and memory. By protecting this neurotransmitter, rosemary may support cognitive performance, even when we age. The doctor concluded: "The implications of this kind of research are huge, but they don't mean you need to spend your days smelling of rosemary and your night sleeping on a pillow of lavender. "The effects were measurable but modest, and they give us a clue that further research into some of the chemicals in essential oils may yield therapeutics and contribute to our understanding of memory and brain function."
Telegraph
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
A cultural juggernaut returns – is it finally time to join in?
Last week, I described enjoying a lightly-roasted lamb rack (garlic and rosemary crumb, Greek salad on the side) to accompany episode seven of The Four Seasons. This week: cucumber gazpacho and Squid Game. How the mighty are fallen. I mean, the gazpacho part was all right. It seemed like a good idea when the thermometer hit 30C. I began with a recipe from the BBC website: peel a cucumber, then blitz it in a blender with 150g of white bread, 50g blanched almonds, a garlic clove, some fresh basil leaves, two tablespoons each of olive oil and sherry vinegar, salt and pepper and 500g of water. I didn't have any sherry vinegar so I used wine vinegar, and at the last minute – partly out of suspicion and partly so as not to disappoint my dinner companion who thinks I'm too stubborn ever to follow recipes precisely, though I suppose that comes to the same thing – I added an avocado. It was fine. It had that quality you get with risotto or spaghetti carbonara: the first few spoons are delicious, then it seems like an hour's gone by and you're still eating it. If you want to give this a go, I'd suggest you do it in shot glasses for a starter. I'm including it here only because I'm excited by my new 'recipe and review' format (it'll be really handy in those weeks when there's nothing much to say about the programme) and I won't get shouted at online for this recipe because it's vegan. Mind you, if you're vegan, I don't think you're going to like Squid Game. It's all blood and suffering. (Although if you're only vegan because it's fashionable then bingo! This show is Korean.) I hated it. Let's get that out the way early. I always reckoned I would hate Squid Game, but series three dropped on Friday and everybody's talking about it so (with a miserable sigh) I decided I should attempt to get at least a vague handle on what the whole thing's about. I feel much the same way about the situation in Iran. Squid Game featured so much visceral violence, I was relieved to be having cucumber gazpacho and not meat. Even a tomato gazpacho might have come up again. Another problem, though, is that I never have a drink with soup. It's a rule my parents gave us as children. I don't know why. Everyone's childhood had its own weird rules that you never hear of anywhere else, right? Like public schools inventing their own daft words for sport or chapel? In our house, we weren't allowed to mix two breakfast cereals in the same bowl, weren't allowed to open Maltesers before a film started and we never had a drink with soup. I follow those rules superstitiously to this day. So, having soup on the hob, I didn't open a bottle of wine for the first time in at least 18 months. Naturally, I was in a bit of a bad mood. (I know what you're thinking: wasn't it gazpacho? Aha, I only said the soup was on the hob. I didn't say the gas was on.) It's difficult to eat cucumber gazpacho and read subtitles at the same time, unless you particularly want a damp green lap. Thus, a lot of my experience on the evening in question was not actually watching television but simply drinking spoonfuls of cold soup to the sound of bleak Korean screaming. If that's your idea of a great night, there's some good news for you on Netflix. I didn't start with the new series, obviously. I started with series one, episode one. It's dreadful. It starts well enough: a desperate gambler meets a mysterious man who offers to play a game with him. So at least it was relatable. I've been in that situation many times, and I love the fictional cliché, whether it's the creepy curates on the train in The Box of Delights or Damon Runyon's earful of cider. Caveat ludor! That's a message I always find appetising. Unfortunately – as I expect you know, if you've paid any attention to the cultural conversation in the four years since Squid Game came out – this quickly descends, unlike The Box of Delights, into a harrowing dystopian gorefest. By the end of the first episode, we're watching hundreds of terrified people being plausibly gunned to death. And just to stop anyone but a sociopath from having a bit of distance on the damn thing, our trapped protagonist has a beautiful little daughter, and it's her birthday. Thanks everyone. It made me so angry. Admittedly I found myself watching at a time of particular 'IRL' horror around the world (that's 'in real life', if you're the kind of cultural abstainer who doesn't already know the plot of Squid Game), but the world is always full of horror and I never want to be reminded that some people get a kick out of seeing that. (A lot of people do, if the ratings for Squid Game are anything to go by.) There's a curious coda to this. The next day, for reasons I can't adequately explain, I found myself wanting to watch another episode. Despite having hated it, I felt a little craving for more. Something in the programme's DNA, clearly, has talent. I switched on episode two: a number of coffins were being slid one by one into a furnace. A coffin lid creaked open and an anguished hand pushed its way out. A masked figure shoved the hand back in and hammered down the lid. I had a sudden flashback to the foul taste of my first cigarette, many years ago, and the irresistible attraction of my second. The screen said 'Episode 2: Hell'. I switched it off.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My hair's thin & short but a £12 buy helped it grow so full & thick – I can't believe the difference & it smells amazing
HAIR loss is a result of many factors; menopause, diet changes, list goes on. And it can really affect a person when they see clumps of hair falling out, or excess shedding. Whilst the hair goes through a natural cycle, with it being normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, any more and it starts to become a concern. Several shoppers who have experienced hair loss for a variety of reasons are claiming to have found a product that is brilliant at stimulating new hair growth. The Weleda Rosemary Revitalising Hair Tonic is usually £13.95 but is currently on offer for £10 at Boots. Holland & Barrett also sell it for £15.95. It's a "natural treatment against hair and scalp problems, hair loss, thinning or brittle hair, dandruff and dryness". The product description reads: "Used for centuries to stimulate the circulation, rosemary helps restore the health of the scalp, while stonecrop and horseradish extracts work together to discourage microbial development and reduce inflammation." The benefits are said to be: But what do customers think? Giving if five stars, Lesley Anne said: "I've been using this product day and night for nearly three months and I can't get over the difference in my hair. I have typically thin, short hair but I recently noticed more thinning than usual so I gave this a go! 'I'm in shock at how well this has worked in a month' shoppers praise budget Amazon buy for curing their hair loss & it's currently on sale "I wish you could post pictures here because the difference is honestly unbelievable. I'm not concerned about tying up my hair anymore, no it looks full and thick. Not surprised Weleda are still selling this product, it is absolute gold!" Daria shared her experience using the product: "Very good for hair growth, using for the second time and love it." Yasemin's review read: "It definitely stimulated new hair growth around my temples which is where I apply the tonic. pleasant smell and not too runny/oily once applied. Recommend." Veronika also had great things to say about the tonic: "The product is perfect, it actually helps to grow a new hairs and keep the hair healthy." Hair re-growth FAQs Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley spoke exclusively to Fabulous. How long does it take for hair to grow back? Hair grows, on average, half an inch a month. You cannot speed this up. Do rosemary oil and scalp massages work? Oils do not promote hair growth. In terms of rosemary oil, the current trend stems from one small study carried out on 50 men in 2015. No women were involved, and the study compared the effects of 2 per cent minoxidil to Rosemary oil. 2 per cent minoxidil doesn't do much for male pattern hair loss anyway, so the results were not very impressive. Oils do serve a purpose in conditioning hair treatments though. They help add shine and smooth the hair cuticle to lock-in moisture and improve combability. Scalp massages alone won't cure hair loss, but it can help relax you, aid in lymphatic drainage, exfoliate and help topicals penetrate. Are there any products or foods/vitamins you recommend someone using or eating to help with hair regrowth? To support healthy hair regrowth, if you are experiencing hair thinning we'd recommend our Density Preserving Scalp Drops clinically proven to help slow hair loss with continued daily use within three months. Telogen effluvium (hair shedding) due to nutritional deficiencies can often be simply treated with changes to your diet, and nutritional supplements such as our specially formulated Density Healthy Hair Complex and Density Amino Acid Booster. Iron and Ferritin (stored iron) in red meat, dried apricots and dark, leafy greens. Vitamin B12 in animal products and fortified plant-based foods. Protein from oily fish, lean meat, cottage cheese, tofu, nuts, chickpeas, and beans. However, there may be an underlying cause for their hair loss and rather than this being masked by using an off-the-shelf product, they should be encouraged to seek the advice of a specialist such as a Trichologist. However, not everyone who has used it raves about it. Karen explained: "Only half way through first bottle and am squinting my head brain eyes trying to see a difference and nothing!" Another also failed to see new hair growth: "Being a huge fan of Weleda products, I was so excited to try this, but sadly I didn't notice any difference. I used it every morning and night for around 4/5 months (I purchased two bottles)." What's the evidence behind rosemary oil for hair growth? Rosemary oil is believed to stimulate hair follicles and improve scalp circulation, potentially leading to hair growth. It's often used as a natural alternative to minoxidil, a medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure and pattern hair loss, with some studies suggesting it may be equally effective. While more research is needed to fully understand its benefits, many individuals report positive results from using rosemary based products for hair growth.
