Aside from being a common inclusion in modern day spice racks, Rosemary is also a useful tool in the promotion of health and wellness, thereby an essential component of many health supplement products. For thousands of years, the Mediterranean evergreen herb Rosemary has been used in the treatment of various illnesses including indigestion, headache and toothache. Today, Rosemary leaves are usually subjected to high-end laboratory procedures of extraction to isolated Rosemary extract and include in it health supplement formulations. The use of Rosemary within recommended doses in health supplements is not associated with serious side effects as it is also a component of food products. When taken in large doses, however, it was observed that Rosemary extract may cause severe vomiting, pulmonary edema or even coma.
What is Rosemary extract?
Rosemary extract is a health supplement ingredient derived from the leaves of the medicinal herb Rosemary. Although the oil form of Rosemary is mostly used in the early times for purposes of wellness, modern researches show that Rosemary extract may also be useful as it contains essential compounds just like Rosemary oil. Some of the compounds found in Rosemary extract which enhance overall wellness include calcium, iron and Vitamin B6. It is also shown in phytochemical studies to contain compounds which play active roles in promoting certain bodily processes, including nervous system function. Short-term use of Rosemary extract is associated with some health benefits but long-term Rosemary extract supplementation may result to improvement in many aspects of health and wellness.
Health benefits of taking Rosemary extract supplements
Being a good source of various nutrients and essential compounds, Rosemary extract is said to affect several organ systems and processes in the human body. It is very useful for individuals of all ages, both men and women. Some of the potential health benefits of long-term Rosemary extract supplementation include the following:
- It may prevent brain damage
Unlike skin cells and other types of body cells, brain cells are not repairable after damage. This is the reason why elderly individuals have deteriorated mental functions. Many studies show that Rosemary extract supplementation is effective in preventing and slowing down brain damage, thereby preventing memory loss and slowed mental function.
- It may work against leukemia
Leukemia is one of the deadliest cancer types as it affects the blood and is usually not reactive to ordinary treatment measures. Studies show that aside from working against tumors, Rosemary extract may also help treat leukemia.
- It may work against macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is a common eye disorder affecting a great proportion of the population. Individuals who are at high risk for the disease may take Rosemary extract as a preventive measure.
Conclusion
There are many other uses of Rosemary extract in the field of alternative medicine. Studies are currently being conducted to fully determine its effects in the human body.