Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a woody shrub native to the coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea, which has been used for thousands of years for its gastronomic and health attributes.
The healing properties of rosemary come from a variety of compounds present in its leaves and stems, such as potassium, acids (caffeic, salicylic, rosmarinic) and antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant substances.
Rosemary can be used for the following cases:
- Due to its stimulating and toning effects, it favors recovery in the case of respiratory diseases and the digestive system.
- Due to its carminative properties it favors the decrease of gases in the digestive tract, especially taken in infusion.
- It has a high iron content and for this reason can help to overcome its lack in certain cases of anemia.
As far as its external use is concerned, we find several applications of rosemary:
- It is suitable to mitigate muscle aches and cramps produced by physical exertion, as well as to reduce inflammation or relax the feet, so its use is quite frequent among athletes. It is enough to make baths of rosemary during 15 or 20 minutes or with to apply on the zone in question oil of rosemary to notice its beneficial effects.
- Perform massages on the scalp with rosemary oil, enriched with almond oil, helps in a remarkable way to improve the circulation of the area and the hairline.
- In cases of fragile and brittle nails, prevents them from breaking.