Rosemary - beneficial properties and contraindications

Rosemary is a medicinal plant and at the same time a popular odorous seasoning throughout the world. For many centuries, grass leaves have been used to treat ailments, prepare medicinal teas, alcohol infusions and decoctions for inhalation.

The use of rosemary makes it advisable to use it in all areas of life, from cooking to cosmetology.

Chemical composition

An amazing plant has a truly “pharmacy” composition, which many therapeutic drugs can envy.

The grass contains the following components:

• vitamins of various groups (B, PP, C, A, E and others);
• ethers;
• isoleucine;
• phytosterols;
• volatile;
• threonine;
• carnosol;
• valine;
• dietary fiber and fiber;
• lysine;
• rosmanol;
• tanning components;
• flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin);

And, also, micro and macro elements (manganese, magnesium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, calcium, sodium, selenium, etc.) and organic unsaturated acids (myristic, caprylic, oleic, rosemary, palmitic, ursolic , lauric and linoleic).

With such a rich composition, the calorie content of the spice is 161 kcal per 100 g of product. Rosemary also contains almost 5.5 g of protein, 7.7 g of lipids and about 23 g of carbohydrates.

Special attention should be paid to unsaturated fatty acids in the seasoning:

1. Lauric. It stimulates the body's defenses, releases beneficial cholesterol, and produces an antiviral effect.
2. Palmitic. Heals the dermis and promotes the accumulation of life-giving moisture. Reduces inflammatory processes, irritation and sensitivity of the epidermis.
3. Oleic. Provides energy metabolism in cells, which positively affects overall well-being.
4. Caprylic. It produces antibacterial and antiseptic effects.
5. Myristic. Delivers vitamins and beneficial ingredients to cells.
6. Linoleic. Provides cellular metabolism.

Isoleucine in rosemary regulates blood sugar and hemoglobin levels.

The valine component provides nitrogen metabolism in tissues and their oxygen saturation.

Lysine regenerates cells and tissues, restores and cleanses blood vessels, provides absorption of calcium.

Phytosterols neutralize "bad" cholesterol and cleanse blood vessels, thereby strengthening the heart muscle and contribute to normal blood flow.

Threonine is involved in the secretion of elastin and collagen, providing youthful tissue and skin.

Tryptophan acts as a natural antidepressant, increases the endurance of the nervous system.

The beneficial properties of rosemary

Spice produces a therapeutic effect in various directions, ensuring the normal functioning of internal organs and systems.

1. Soothes the central nervous system. The use of seasoning can improve attention and concentration, it is easier to tolerate mental stress. Also, a rosemary decoction normalizes blood circulation in the brain, which provides accelerated rehabilitation after a stroke. Grass is used for alternative treatment of neuritis and neurosis, neurological disorders.
2. It acts as an antioxidant. Due to the effect, it fights against pathogenic microflora (yeast fungi, staphylococci, streptococci and other bacteria, viruses), neutralizes radionuclides.
3. Facilitates the condition with colds and other diseases. A decoction of leaves makes sputum easier to go away, soothes an sore throat, and aromatherapy with rosemary essential oil cleans the upper respiratory tract.The diaphoretic effect of rosemary contributes to the rapid reduction of heat. And smoking the leaves of the plant is used to treat bronchial asthma.
4. Reduces pain and cramping. A decoction and infusion of rosemary is used for pain in the heart, pinching and neuralgia, intestinal colic. Herbal essential oil is rubbed into the neck, temples and forehead to reduce headaches, migraines.
5. Improves digestion. Rosemary normalizes peristalsis and secretion of gastric juice. Seasoning is also used for flatulence and bloating as a carminative.
6. Normalizes the work of internal organs. A rosemary broth has a choleretic and diuretic effect, due to which the body (in particular, the kidneys, liver and gall bladder) is cleaned of toxins, salts, stones and toxins.
7. Heals tissue. Since ancient times, rosemary ointment has helped in the healing of boils, pustular foci, ulcers, teenage acne and eczema.
8. Stimulates the work of the heart. Spice helps to gradually increase blood pressure and accelerate heart contractions.
9. Strengthens blood vessels. Medicinal grass cleanses blood vessels in case of atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, strengthens the walls in case of varicose veins, prevents the formation of blood clots.
10. It relaxes muscles and relieves back pain. Essential oil is used for massage, which helps to relieve muscle tone, relieve neuralgia and pain in the spine, lumbosacral region.
11. Increases libido. It is known that a spicy plant has been used for many centuries as an aphrodisiac, evoking sexual interest and sensuality.

Rosemary for the female and male body

The noble spice takes into account the physiological characteristics of men and women, therefore, it can affect the genitourinary system and reproductive function.

Benefits for women
It is known that the fair sex is more susceptible to headaches and migraines, mood swings, stress and depression. Regular use of a rosemary decoction allows you to remove all neurological symptoms, improve mood and improve well-being.

The plant actively helps in the fight against PMS, reducing hormonal changes and headaches. To do this, it is recommended to drink herbal tea with rosemary, mint and St. John's wort.

According to some reports, seasoning helps to normalize the female cycle and restore menstrual function with amenorrhea.

Douching with a decoction of rosemary can effectively fight genital candidiasis.

Benefits for men
Rosemary is popularly used to improve potency, get rid of genitourinary diseases, prostatitis, cystitis, orchitis and other pathologies. It is also effective in the prevention of impotence, andropause.

It is advisable to use a decoction based on herbs of rosemary, immortelle and sage with the addition of birch buds. Such a tool can be used inside 20 minutes before a meal or used for antibacterial hygienic baths.

The use of rosemary in cosmetology

The healing properties of the spice extend not only to the internal systems of the body, but also to external indicators. That is why grass is actively used in pharmaceuticals and medical cosmetology as an active ingredient.

Essential oil is used to enrich cosmetics and massage, a decoction - for therapeutic baths and inhalations.

Skin Benefits
Rosemary has the following effects on the epidermis and deep layers of the dermis:

1. Delivers energy components to cells, providing local immunity and respiration.
2. Regulates intracellular metabolism, cleansing tissues of poisons, radionuclides, excess sebum, salts and toxins.
3. It brightens the skin and helps to eliminate age spots, freckles, dark circles under the eyes.
4. It produces an antiseptic effect, healing acne, acne, various dermatitis, allergic reactions and skin pathologies.
5. Normalizes the hydro-lipid balance of the skin.
6. Cleans and tightens pores, reduces oily sheen.
7. It smoothes fine facial wrinkles and crow's feet, promotes the production of elastin and collagen - components of youth.
8. It increases the elasticity and tone of the skin, provides an anti-cellulite effect, and also prevents stretch marks in pregnant women.

Rosemary extract and essential oil enrich cosmetics: masks, lotions, foams, scrubs, emulsions and creams.

Benefits for hair and nail plate
Rosemary has the following effects:

• awakens sleeping hair follicles and strengthens them;
• stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss;
• contributes to the fight against seborrhea and dandruff;
• eliminates scalp and nail fungus;
• nourishes hair along its entire length, makes it shiny and heavy;
• normalizes the secretion of sebaceous glands, thereby reducing the oily hair;
• Helps to retain moisture in the hair shaft and nail plate;
• reduces brittle hair and the cross section of the tips;
• provides antistatic effect of ringlets;
• eliminates stratification of nails;
• makes nails stronger and thicker, provokes healthy growth.

To improve the hair, masks, shampoos, balms and serums with rosemary are used. The so-called “aroma combing” is also popular: rosemary essential oil is used to treat a wooden comb and comb each strand thoroughly for 10 minutes.

To improve the condition of the nail plate, it is recommended to rub the ether or broth of rosemary into the cuticle, take aromatic baths before the procedure of manicure or pedicure.

Contraindications rosemary

Herbs in reasonable doses only bring benefits to the body. However, the abundance of esters and extractive components makes the plant dangerous for some people:

1. Pregnant (seasoning can cause tone or contractions of the uterus, leading to miscarriage or premature birth).
2. Breastfeeding (rosemary - an allergenic plant for a weak fetal organism).
3. A history of hypertension and patients with cardiovascular pathologies.
4. Patients with convulsive syndromes, nervous and psychosomatic disorders, epileptics.
5. Children under three years of age.
6. Patients with obesity of various degrees (fats and fatty acids can increase cholesterol and lead to weight gain).

Rosemary is a strong allergen for those people who have a history of intolerance to any spices and seasonings, herbs, tea, citrus fruits.

Doctors do not recommend consuming rosemary essential oil inward in its pure form. It is advisable to carry out treatment with decoctions and teas, less often with alcoholic infusions.

Also, you can not abuse the spice, since a strong diuretic effect loads the kidneys and can lead to inflammatory processes.

Subject to the norms and recommendations of the doctor, rosemary will bring maximum benefits to health, ensure youth and longevity of the body. The rich chemical composition and valuable gastronomic properties allow you to undergo treatment with pleasure.

Video: the benefits of rosemary for the brain