Rosemary Boosts Memory
Old Superstitions Were on to Something
When It Comes to This Memory Herb
Antidepressant medications have extreme adverse effects upon memory. So adverse are those effects upon memory that amnesia was listed as a frequent side effect to the first SSRI antidepressant Prozac and should follow for all subsequent SSRI and SNRI antidepressants released since then. Memory loss is one of the most common long term effects of antidepressants making this information on Rosemary oil just out so important to those taking or who have taken antidepressants.
Ancient Greek scholars wore this herb around their heads to help them remember their studies. The ancient Egyptians put it in tombs and early Europeans threw it into graves to help them remember the dead.
It’s been given to wedding guests to remember the occasion and also to the happy couple to remind them of their sacred vows. It’s been placed under pillows to enhance recall during sleep.
All these old superstitions are fun, but does the herb have any real memory-boosting power? Surprisingly, yes!
Rosemary is proving to have real merit in preserving and enhancing memory and cognition.
15% Improvement in Long-Term Memory
The first tests on this herb for memory were published in 2003. Researchers studied 132 volunteers for the effects of rosemary in the form of an essential oil (a very strong concentrate extracted from the whole herb). Those exposed to the aroma had a 15% improvement in long-term memory.
This can occur because molecules in the oils are extremely small and can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the olfactory nerve in the nose and via the lungs. They can also cross the blood-brain barrier to have direct effects on the brain.
NPR Radio Show on Oils
I did a radio show on National Public Radio with Kathy Farmer, who is now an expert on the oils and teaches doctors about the oils after using these oils to help her daughter come off Zoloft. This was done right after we got the 2005 warning from the FDA on increased suicide in children using antidepressants. But Kathy does a wonderful job of explaining the science behind how the oils work upon the brain and can help after the use of antidepressants.
You can find that NPR program by going down to section #1 on our website at https://www.drugawareness.org/alternatives/ and then click on the NPR logo which looks like this:
Dr. Mark Moss, lead researcher from the University of Northumbria in the UK, commented: “What is interesting is the possibility of using rosemary over a long period to maintain cognitive performance. It could be that a bit more rosemary with lunch maintains a healthy mind throughout life.”
A later study by Dr. Moss tested volunteers’ ability to do mental arithmetic. Those subjected to the aroma of rosemary saw enhanced aspects of cognition, with greater speed and accuracy. Performance outcomes improved for each task tested.
The most recent Moss study tested prospective memory – remembering events that are expected to occur in the near future and remembering to complete tasks at a certain time. Those exposed to the essential oil performed at a 60 – 75% higher level compared to those not exposed. They were better able to remember events, complete tasks and had greater speed of recall.
More Effective Than Dementia Drugs
Rosemary is able to improve brain function by several mechanisms. It contains a chemical important for memory called 1,8-cineole. Blood levels of this substance rise when a person is exposed to the rosemary scent. 1,8-cineole also has the ability to inhibit acetyl-cholinesterase, an enzyme that reduces brain function. It is among the key enzymes that promote Alzheimer’s disease. Most dementia drugs target this enzyme.
Not only does rosemary contain 1,8-cineole, it also contains rosmarinic acid and ursolic acid. These compounds are also able to inhibit acetylcholinesterase. So altogether, rosemary boasts three factors that work to reduce a dangerous mind-destroying enzyme.
Rosemary also contains carnosic acid, a natural chemical that protects against the ravaging effects of free radicals in the brain that contribute to neurodegeneration.
Dr. Takumi Satoh of Iwate University offered this thought about carnosic acid: “It means that we can do even better in protecting the brain from terrible disorders such as Alzheimer’s, perhaps even slowing down the effects of normal aging.”
Makes You Feel Good Too
Experiments with human volunteers suggest another benefit I find very attractive: The aroma of rosemary elevates a person’s mood. People reported feeling fresher and more active, with greater alertness and less drowsiness. Those who had a massage with rosemary oil said they felt more vigorous and cheerful.
Let me make it clear that the only oil I recommend using is Young Living because there are too many oil companies that extract their oils by using chemicals. I would NEVER recommend using oils processed like that for inhalation. Inhaling something is a direct hit to the brain and you want to make sure what you are inhaling is in its purist form. Young Living Oils are processed via low temperatures (which preserves the enzymes in the oils) steam distillation giving you the purist form you can find to use. If you would like to try it for yourself you can order a bottle by clicking the link below:
Order Rosemary Oil Here and help support us in this battle for truth about antidepressant dangers: https://www.youngliving.org/adrianneb
Original Article on Rosemary with additional links to more information:http://naturalhealthinsiders.com/?p=414
Ann Blake Tracy, Executive Director,
International Coalition for Drug Awareness
www.drugawareness.org & http://ssristories.drugawareness.org
Author: ”Prozac: Panacea or Pandora? – Our Serotonin Nightmare – The Complete Truth of the Full Impact of Antidepressants Upon Us & Our World” & Withdrawal CD “Help! I Can’t Get Off My Antidepressant!”
WITHDRAWAL HELP: You can find the hour and a half long CD on safe and effective withdrawal helps here: http://store.drugawareness.org/ And if you need additional consultations with Ann Blake-Tracy, you can book one at www.drugawareness.org or sign up for one of the memberships for the International Coalition for Drug Awareness which includes free consultations as one of the benefits of that particular membership plan.
WITHDRAWAL WARNING: In sharing this information about adverse reactions to antidepressants I always recommend that you also give reference to my CD on safe withdrawal, Help! I Can’t Get Off My Antidepressant!, so that we do not have more people dropping off these drugs too quickly – a move which I have warned from the beginning can be even more dangerous than staying on the drugs!
