10 health benefits of rosemary

Healthy skin: Plenty of cosmetics and soaps contain rosemary because of its anti-aging properties. Basically, rosemary rejuvenates the skin by strengthening the blood capillaries just below the surface of the skin. Try rosemary for a healthier glow.

Breast cancer: One contribution to a higher chance of contracting breast cancer is an imbalance of oestrogen hormones. Fortunately, a study by the Department of Chemical Biology at the State University of New Jersey has shown that rosemary helps to stop that imbalance from becoming intensive. Does this mean rosemary can stop breast cancer? Not likely. But it does mean rosemary could lower your chances of contracting breast cancer. As always, check with your doctor about suggestions for adding rosemary and other herbs to your diet.

Diuretic: Rosemary can help to flush excessive water from your body. This is important for numerous reasons, but especially for those who suffer from congestive heart failure when excessive fluid can build up around the heart and damage the heart and lungs. Being a natural diuretic, rosemary is possibly safer than the more tradition water pills. Ask your doctor.

Memory: Several studies have shown that taking rosemary as a tea or in pill form can actually help you to remember things. So if you're a student boning up for a big upcoming test, think about adding some rosemary tea to your diet. Even Shakespeare knew about rosemary's memorable abilities; the play Hamlet contains the line, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance."

Digestion: The antispasmodic properties of rosemary allow the herb to sort of loosen the digestive system some by smoothing out the inner muscles. This allows for a better flow through the intestines and stomach.

Hair care: One reason a number of shampoos contain rosemary is because the herb is known to stimulate the hair follicles, which allows the hair to grow longer and stronger. And since rosemary is so good for the skin, it can also help to combat dandruff. How do you add this herb to your hair without buying a shampoo? The answer: Look for rosemary oil in your local pharmacy or health food store.

Scurvy: Yes, I wrote "scurvy." And it's not just an old-fashioned disease that pirates used to get. Scurvy is a disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C in the body, and it usually includes sores on the gums, spots on the legs, depression, paleness and other symptoms. Fortunately, fresh rosemary has a good supply of Vitamin C. So, ahoy mateys, drink some rosemary tea to ward off scurvy!

Body odors: Rosemary is good at combatting the bacteria and fungus that cause body odors. So think about adding some fresh rosemary or rosemary oil to your bath. Or maybe even gargle a little rosemary tea to get rid of those mouth odors.

Scabies: Scabies isn't a disease. It's a condition in which mites have imbedded themselves under the skin where they can lay eggs. Yes, it's as nasty as it sounds, and these mites leave behind small wounds or lesions and can cause infection. Rosemary alone won't kill the mites or cure the condition, but dabbing on a little rosemary tea with cotton balls will help to ease the pain of scabies.

Minor cuts: Because rosemary is so effective at dealing with bacteria, the herb can help to prevent minor cuts from becoming infected. Dab a cotton ball in some rosemary tea, then gently apply it to any minor cuts or wounds you might have.