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The leaves of rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. [Fam. Labiatae], are leathery and contain numerous oil glands.Rosemary leaf tea was traditionally used as a medicine for stimulating the appetite, as well as for treating gastric-juice deficiency and to aid digestion. The German Commission E also lists rosemary leaf tea for treating poor digestion due to insufficient bile flow through the action of its bitter substances and essential oil.
Rosemary is often used as a flavour enhancer. Rosemary extracts prepared into a salve can be applied externally as an analgesic liniment for rheumatism of the muscles and joints, and as a bath additive to stimulate blood flow under the skin. According to Dr. James Duke in The Green Pharmacy, rosemary has a long history of use as a memory-enhancing herb and 'herb of remembrance'. In fact, rosemary leaf contains dozens of powerful antioxidant compounds and a half-dozen compounds that are reported to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. As such, rosemary tea and extracts may be beneficial for those with Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Duke also recommends rosemary for preventing and fighting cataracts and reports that the herb contains at least four known anti-cataract compounds. The antioxidant benefits of rosemary are also applicable to vascular disorders, and Dr. Duke recommends regularly drinking the tea or using generous amounts in cooking.
The oil extract of rosemary leaf is among the most popular antioxidants on the market for stabilizing culinary oils. In fact, rosemary has preservative powers akin to the commercial preservatives BHA and BHT. As such, modern herbalists recommend rosemary as an anti-aging herb, particularly for those with bone and joint conditions. Externally, rosemary oil mixed with almond or olive oil has been used for centuries, if not millennia, to massage the scalp, keep hair lush and healthy and prevent baldness.