Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings South Central Pennsylvania

Brain Benefits of Rosemary

Aug 29, 2013 12:51PM ● By Michael Lausterer

Many people familiar with the culinary herb rosemary and the distinct flavor it imparts to foods. Not only does this herb taste good, it is also a huge player in stimulating brain function. Rosemary contains a chemical called 1,8-cineole, which researchers from Northumbria University, in the United Kingdom, have linked to brain performance; their 2012 study, “Rosemary Brain Benefit: Study Shows Link between Herb Chemical and Brainpower,” was published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.

The research involved 20 subjects that were exposed to different aromatic levels of rosemary essential oil, and blood samples were taken to test the levels of 1,8-cineole absorbed in each person’s body. The participants then were tested for speed, accuracy and mood in order to determine whether the oil had any effects on performance. The study found that there was a direct correlation in the areas of speed and accuracy, but the rosemary oil affected mood only slightly.

With school just around the corner and the ongoing requirements of work, now is the time to take advantage of the beneficial properties of rosemary essential oil for improved brain performance.


Michael J. Lausterer is the certified clinical aromatherapist and essential oil therapy educator for Basic Earth Essentials, located at 795 Bentzel Rd., in Lewisberry. For more information, call 717-932-6899 or visit BasicEarthEssentials.com.