This culinary herb protects you against cancer and chronic diseases

From ancient Greek scholars using it to improve recall while taking exams, to Ophelia pleading Hamlet “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance, pray your love, remember”, rosemary has long been considered a memory stimulant. This herb is not only part of traditional medicine books and exquisite recipes, it has also been widely studied by scientist in the last 20 years, and it seems that the active compounds found in this plant are amazing for skin disorders, inflammatory diseases and preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Rosmarinic acid is one of the major components found in rosemary and it is also present in other plants such as spearmint and lemon balm. The following pharmacological effects of this phytochemical have been confirmed in in vitro, animal and clinical studies.

Powerful antioxidant

In vitro studies performed on cultured keratinocytes – the predominant cell type of the outer layer of the skin – found that rosmarinic acid effectively protects cells from oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet radiation. Rosemary extracts being potent antioxidants are used to improve the shelf life of perishable foods, and they destroy heterocyclic amines, which are carcinogenic compounds than can form when meat is cooked. 

Antitumoral activity

Several animal studies have proven the efficacy of rosmarinic acid in preventing cancer. Eight week administration of rosmarinic acid was shown to prevent colon cancer in mice. Another study found that rosmarinic acid completely prevented skin cancer in mice treated with a carcinogenic substance. The effects of rosemary extract are so promising that they are being evaluated as a complementary agent in anticancer therapy.

Antiinflammatory effect

Clinical studies have shown rosmarinic acid is effective in controlling atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinoconjuntivitis.

Relief of osteoarthritis pain

A clinical study conducted by the University of Guelp, Canada evaluated the effects of a high rosmarinic acid spearmint tea on relieving osteoarthritis pain, stiffness and joint disability. Participants who drank two cups a day for 16 weeks had significant reduction of these symptoms leading researchers to recommend it as a potential complementary therapy to reduce pain in ostheoarthritis.

How to benefit from rosmarinic acid

Make sure to frequently include rosemary to your cooking. There are plenty of recipes for sauces, soups and meat using this tasty herb. If you don't like the flavor of rosemary, you can put a little bit of rosemary extract on the surface. You can also drink two cups of rosemary/spearmint tea a day, which will give you 20 mg of rosmarinic acid - enough to benefit from its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.