In Hamlet, Ophelia says, “There’s rosemary that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember.” Even in Shakespeare’s time, it was believed that the herb, rosemary, had properties to enhance one’s ability to remember. This is something you may not have heard before. Or maybe you disregarded it as an old wives’ tale. However, scientific researchers have shown that this herb contains a number of brain boosting properties. Keep reading to learn more about rosemary’s ability to improve memory and how you can harness its powers in your everyday life.
Facts About Rosemary
Rosemary has a long history of homeopathic uses. In the above Shakespeare reference, you can see that it has been associated with the ability to remember for centuries. Even the ancient Greeks thought this. In some cultures it has also symbolized love and loyalty. Others have used rosemary to ward off evil spirits. Additional uses include improving hair growth, controlling dandruff, relieving pain and treating coughs and cystitis. The herb has digestive benefits as well. It’s known to relieve cramping, bloating and constipation. In addition, rosemary oil has been shown to lessen respiratory problems such as sore throats, colds and allergies.
Types of Memory
Let’s look at the different types of memory. You use your mind in countless complex ways and your memory serves various purposes. Past memory is made up of the things you’ve already done or learned. This is the information we hold and maintain for various lengths of time. Present memory is our working memory. This is the knowledge we use to complete a task. Then there’s future memory, “remembering to remember.” Future memory can be tricky. It’s all those items on our to-do lists, the things we forget if we don’t write them down.
Rosemary and Memory
It’s this future memory that seems to be most affected by rosemary. Researchers have discovered that smelling rosemary essential oil can help improve the ability to remember to complete future tasks. In 2013 scientists from Northumbria University presented their findings regarding rosemary and future memory at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society. In their study participants were placed in a room containing the scent of rosemary or of lavender oil, or in a control room with no scent. They were then given complex memory tests. The rosemary participants scored significantly better than either of the other groups. A more recent test, in 2017, involving school children, yielded similar findings. These results are thought to be due to chemical compounds from rosemary being absorbed into the blood stream when inhaled and then sent to the brain.
Rosemary oil has become quite popular. Sniffing some when you wish to improve your ability to remember certain tasks and events could be helpful, according to the research and old wives’ tales, too. It’s worth a try!
To learn more about Rosemary, see this page…
