The researchers also found that the blood of participants exposed to the rosemary-scented room had detectable levels of 1,8-cineole, a compound found in rosemary. The more 1,8-cineole they absorbed into their bloodstreams, the more positive their results were.
“This compound is present in rosemary, but it has not previously been shown to be absorbed into blood plasma in humans,” study researcher Dr. Mark Moss told MSNBC ( 3 ). “We believe the aroma therefore acts like a therapeutic drug and that the effect is not due to the aroma’s more sensory properties.”
It is also believed that the chemicals directly stimulated the olfactory nerve in the nose, which could have an impact on brain function.
“We deliberately gave them multiple tasks, so it’s possible that people who multitask might perform better after sniffing rosemary oil,” said researcher Jemma McCready. “There was no association between participants’ mood and memory. This suggests that performance isn’t affected as a result of changes in alertness or arousal.”
The herb also contributed to improving brain health thanks to its carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, which impairs the growth of cancer cells and prevents Alzheimer’s disease by fighting free radical damage and protecting against beta-amyloid-induced neurodegeneration in the hippocampus ( 4,5 ).
The future of aromatherapy
Researcher Dr. Mark Moss is excited about the study’s real-life implications: “…[We] focused on prospective memory, which involves the ability to recall events that will occur in the future and to remember to complete tasks at specific times. This is crucial for daily functioning, for example, when someone needs to remember to send a birthday card or take medication at a specific time.”
“Plants are very complex organisms and contain many different active compounds, the concentration of which varies from plant to plant and even within the same plant over the course of a day,” he says. “The accumulation of knowledge about the potential effects of plant aromas and extracts could potentially lead to identifying the best combination to promote specific effects.”
Dr. Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, who was not involved in the study, agrees: “[The study] opens the door for us to explore other smells and how they affect people” (6).
How to use rosemary
To boost your memory, fill your office with the scent of rosemary by diffusing a few drops of high-quality organic essential oil. You can also place a rosemary plant next to your desk.
For a travel solution, mix a drop of rosemary oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil and carry it in a small cosmetic compact. Rub some oil on your wrists whenever needed to keep your brain sharp!
