Rosemary - beneficial properties and contraindications

Rosemary is a medicinal plant and at the same time is a popular aromatic seasoning. For many centuries, the leaves of the herb have been used for the treatment of ailments, healing teas, alcoholic infusions and decoctions for inhalation have been prepared.

The use of rosemary makes it advisable to use it in all spheres of life, ranging from cooking to cosmetology.

Chemical composition

Amazing plant has a truly "pharmacy" composition, which may envy many therapeutic drugs.

Grass contains the following components:

• vitamins of various groups (B, PP, C, A, E and others);
• ethers;
• isoleucine;
• phytosterols;
• phytoncides;
• threonine;
• carnosol;
• valine;
• dietary fiber and fiber;
• lysine;
• rosmanol;
• tanning components;
• flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin);

And, also, micro- and macroelements (manganese, magnesium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, calcium, sodium, selenium, etc.) and organic unsaturated acids (myristic, caprylic, oleic, rosemary, palmitic, ursolic) , lauric and linoleic).

With such a rich composition, the caloric content of the spice is 161 kcal per 100 g of product. Rosemary also contains almost 5.5 g of proteins, 7.7 g of lipids and about 23 g of carbohydrates.

Special attention should be paid to unsaturated fatty acids in the seasoning:

1. Lauric. Stimulates the body's defenses, releases good cholesterol, produces an antiviral effect.
2. Palmitic. It heals the dermis and promotes the accumulation of life-giving moisture. Reduces inflammation, irritation and sensitivity of the epidermis.
3. Olein. Provides energy exchange in the cells, which has a positive effect on overall well-being.
4. Caprylic Produces antibacterial and antiseptic action.
5. Myristic. Delivers vitamins and beneficial components to the cells.
6. Linoleic Provides cellular metabolism.

Isoleucine in rosemary regulates blood sugar and hemoglobin levels.

The valine component provides nitrogen metabolism in tissues and their oxygen saturation.

Lysine regenerates cells and tissues, restores and cleans blood vessels, provides calcium absorption.

Phytosterols neutralize "bad" cholesterol and clean the blood vessels, thereby strengthening the heart muscle and promote normal blood flow.

Threonine is involved in the secretion of elastin and collagen, ensuring the youth of tissues and skin.

Tryptophan acts as a natural antidepressant, increases the endurance of the nervous system.

Useful properties of rosemary

Spice produces a healing effect in various directions, ensuring the normal functioning of internal organs and systems.

1. Soothes the central nervous system. The use of seasoning allows to improve attention and concentration, it is easier to transfer mental loads. Also, a decoction of rosemary normalizes blood circulation in the brain, which provides accelerated rehabilitation after a stroke. The herb is used for folk treatment of neuritis and neurosis, neurological disorders.
2. It acts as an antioxidant. Due to the effect it fights pathogenic microflora (yeast fungi, staphylococci, streptococci and other bacteria, viruses), neutralizes radionuclides.
3. Relieves the condition for colds and other diseases. A decoction of the leaves makes sputum easier to move away, soothes the sore throat, and aromatherapy in rosemary essential oil clears the upper respiratory tract. The diaphoretic effect of rosemary contributes to the rapid reduction of high temperature A leaf smoking plant is used for the treatment of bronchial asthma.
4. Reduces pain and cramps. Decoction and infusion of rosemary is used for heart pain, pinching and neuralgia, intestinal colic. The herb essential oil is rubbed into the neck, temples and forehead to reduce headaches and migraines.
5. Improves digestion. Rosemary normalizes peristalsis and secretion of gastric juice. Also seasoning is used in flatulence and bloating as a carminative.
6. Normalizes the work of internal organs. Decoction of rosemary has a choleretic and diuretic effect, due to which the body (in particular, the kidneys, liver and gall bladder) is cleansed of toxins, salts, calculus and slags.
7. Heals tissue. Since ancient times, rosemary ointment has helped in the healing of boils, pustular foci, ulcers, teen acne and eczema.
8. Stimulates the work of the heart. Spice helps to gradually increase blood pressure and accelerate heart contractions.
9. Strengthens blood vessels. Medicinal herb cleans blood vessels in atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, strengthens the walls with varicose veins, prevents the formation of blood clots.
10. It relaxes the muscles and relieves back pain. Essential oil is used for massage, which allows you to remove muscle tone, weaken neuralgia and pain in the spine, lumbosacral region.
11. Increases libido. It is known that the spicy plant for many centuries used as an aphrodisiac, arousing sexual interest and sensuality.

Rosemary for female and male body

The noble spice takes into account the physiological characteristics of men and women, so it can affect the urogenital system and reproductive function.

Benefits for women
It is known that the fair sex is more susceptible to headaches and migraines, mood swings, stress and depression. Regular consumption of rosemary decoction allows you to remove all neurological symptoms, improve mood and improve well-being.

The plant actively helps in the fight against PMS, reducing hormonal changes and headaches. To do this, it is recommended to drink herbal tea with rosemary, mint and hunter.

According to some reports, seasoning helps to normalize the female cycle and restore menstrual function with amenorrhea.

Douching rosemary decoction allows you to effectively deal with candidiasis of the genital organs.

Benefits for men
Rosemary is popularly used to improve potency, getting rid of urogenital diseases, prostatitis, cystitis, orchitis and other pathologies. It is also effective as a prevention of impotence, andropause.

It is advisable to apply a decoction on the basis of herbs rosemary, immortelle and sage with the addition of birch buds. This tool can be consumed inside for 20 minutes before a meal or used for antibacterial hygienic trays.

The use of rosemary in cosmetology

The medicinal properties of the spice extend not only to the internal systems of the body, but also to external indicators. That is why the herb is actively used in pharmaceuticals and medical cosmetology as an active ingredient.

Essential oil is used to enrich cosmetics and massage, a decoction - for therapeutic baths and inhalations.

Skin benefits
Rosemary has the following effects on the epidermis and deeper layers of the dermis:

1. Delivers energy components to cells, providing local immunity and respiration.
2. Regulates intracellular metabolism, purifying tissues from poisons, radionuclides, excess sebum, salts and slags.
3. Lightens the skin and helps to eliminate age spots, freckles, dark circles under the eyes.
4. It produces an antiseptic effect, healing acne, acne, various dermatitis, allergic reactions and skin pathologies.
5. Normalizes the hydro-lipid balance of the skin.
6. Cleans and tightens pores, reduces shine.
7. It smoothes small mimic wrinkles and “crow's feet”, promotes the production of elastin and collagen - the components of youth.
8. Increases elasticity and tone of the skin, provides anti-cellulite effect as well, also produces prevention of stretch marks in pregnant women.

Rosemary extract and essential oil enrich cosmetics: masks, lotions, foams, scrubs, emulsions and creams.

Benefits for hair and nail plate
Rosemary has the following effects:

• awakens dormant hair follicles and strengthens them;
• stimulates hair growth and prevents their loss;
• helps to combat seborrhea and dandruff;
• eliminates the fungus of the scalp and nails;
• nourishes the hair along the entire length, makes it shiny and heavy;
• normalizes the secretion of the sebaceous glands, thereby reducing the fat content of the hair;
• helps to retain moisture in the hair shaft and nail plate;
• reduces hair breakage and tip section;
• provides antistatic effect of curls;
• eliminates stratification of nails;
• makes nails stronger and thicker, provokes healthy growth.

For the recovery of hair, masks, shampoos, balms and serum with rosemary are used. Also popular is the so-called “aromatherapy”: with rosemary essential oil a wooden comb is processed and each strand is thoroughly combed for 10 minutes.

To improve the condition of the nail plate, it is recommended to rub ether or decoction of rosemary into the cuticle, take aroma oil before a manicure or pedicure procedure.

Contraindications to the use of rosemary

Medicinal herb in reasonable doses brings only benefits to the body. However, the abundance of esters and extractive components makes the plant dangerous for some people:

1. Pregnant women (seasoning can cause tonus or contractions of the uterus, leading to miscarriage or premature birth).
2. Breastfeeding (rosemary - an allergenic plant for a weak organism of the fetus).
3. Hypertensive patients and patients with a history of cardiovascular pathologies.
4. Patients with convulsive syndromes, nervous and psychosomatic disorders, epileptics.
5. Children under the age of three.
6. Obese patients of varying degrees (fats and fatty acids can raise cholesterol and lead to weight gain).

Rosemary is a strong allergen for those people who have a history of intolerance to any spices and seasonings, herbs, tea, citrus.

Doctors do not recommend to use rosemary essential oil in its pure form. Treatment is advisable to conduct broths and teas, at least - alcohol infusions.

You also can not abuse the spice, as a strong diuretic effect loads the kidneys and can lead to inflammatory processes.

If you comply with the norms and recommendations of a doctor, rosemary will bring maximum health benefits to you, ensure youth and longevity of the body. The rich chemical composition and valuable gastronomic properties make it possible to undergo treatment with pleasure.

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