Is there any truth to the Shakespearean phrase 'rosemary for remembrance'? Actually, yes. Research does suggest that the herb aids cognition and memory, and may even slow down the progression of Alzheimer's in the brain.
While there’s only a relatively small number of studies, a 2020 review of the literature concluded that rosemary is “memory boosting”.
In one particular study, healthy participants who worked in a cubicle that smelled of rosemary did better on recall tasks, like memorising a list of words, than those working in an odourless cubicle.
Excitingly, rosemary may have other benefits, too.
Research in animals suggests that the herb could reduce some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease thanks to two chemical compounds found in the plant: carnosic and rosemarinic acid.
Carnosic acid is known to promote human brain cells to produce a nerve growth factor, and rosemarinic acid has been shown to inhibit an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in mice.
Drugs that inhibit AChE are already being used to manage Alzheimer’s disease – expect to see a lot more rosemary research coming soon.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Thomas Greene, Derby) 'Should I start sniffing rosemary?'
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