How Rosemary Oil Benefits Health

Rosemary oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of the rosemary plant, also known as Rosmarinus officinalis. Rosemary belongs to the same plant family as mint, and it has a woody scent that enhances both culinary dishes and beauty products. In ancient times, the citizens of Rome used rosemary for religious purposes, and the herb's medicinal benefits were documented in the sixteenth century by Paracelsus, a German-Swiss doctor and botanist. Paracelsus asserted rosemary could heal the liver, heart, and brain and fortify the body. Modern scientific studies have proven many of his assertions correct.

As in ancient times, rosemary oil is used today for a variety of purposes in relation to health and otherwise. Some of the most popular health benefits of this essential oil are outlined below.

Boosts Hair Growth

Several studies have shown rosemary oil boosts hair growth in patients with androgenetic alopecia, a condition sometimes known as male-pattern baldness. Depending on testosterone levels, some female patients can also develop the condition. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone, is believed to be responsible for damaging hair follicles and causing permanent hair loss in individuals with this condition. A two percent solution of minoxidil is one of the standard treatments available to patients. A 2015 study comparing this treatment option and rosemary oil found the latter increased hair just as well as minoxidil over six months. The oil also had fewer side effects than the conventional treatment, and subjects reported rosemary oil caused far less scalp itching than the minoxidil. Studies in animals have found rosemary oil naturally inhibits DHT, and it can be especially helpful for patients undergoing testosterone treatment. Rosemary oil has also been shown to help patients with alopecia areata, a condition that leads to bald patches on the scalp. Experts estimate twenty percent of individuals over forty years old may have alopecia areata. In a seven-month study, patients rubbed either rosemary, jojoba, or grapeseed oil into their hair. While jojoba and grapeseed oils resulted in a fifteen percent increase in hair growth, rosemary oil increased hair growth by up to forty-four percent.

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