Rosemary and Brain Performance

Intriguing research out of Northumbria University in the UK and published in the February 24 edition of Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology found that inhaling rosemary boosted both speed and accuracy in brain performance. The effect was also dose related. 20 subjects who were asked to perform various tests in a room infused with the scent of rosemary, were told that the scent was left over from a previous study. After performing the tests, their blood levels of 1,8-cineole, the active ingredient in rosemary, were measured. Higher levels correlated with better performance. Previous research has shown people to perform tasks better when they were in a better mood. Interestingly, the higher levels of 1,8-cineole were correlated with being less content. Therefore the better performance was not due to being happy about smelling rosemary. Rosemary has long been known by herbalists to be good for your brain and thinking.