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Science & Technology

Can rosemary help you remember things ?

By T.K. Randall
April 16, 2013 · Comment icon 18 comments

Image Credit: CC 3.0 KENPEI
A new study has revealed that the scent of rosemary appears to be very good at improving memory.
Researchers at the University of Northumbria conducted an experiment involving volunteers who took part in a prospective memory test. The participants were required to carry out a series of tasks without being prompted, if they forgot a step or did it wrong then their score would be lowered. The results seemed to show that those who were exposed to the aroma of rosemary during the test performed better than those who weren't.

"We wanted to build on our previous research that indicated rosemary aroma improved long-term memory and mental arithmetic," said Dr Mark Moss. "In this study we focused on prospective memory, which involves the ability to remember events that will occur in the future and to remember to complete tasks at particular times this is critical for everyday functioning."[!gad]Researchers at the University of Northumbria conducted an experiment involving volunteers who took part in a prospective memory test. The participants were required to carry out a series of tasks without being prompted, if they forgot a step or did it wrong then their score would be lowered. The results seemed to show that those who were exposed to the aroma of rosemary during the test performed better than those who weren't.

"We wanted to build on our previous research that indicated rosemary aroma improved long-term memory and mental arithmetic," said Dr Mark Moss. "In this study we focused on prospective memory, which involves the ability to remember events that will occur in the future and to remember to complete tasks at particular times this is critical for everyday functioning."
The results showed that participants in the rosemary-scented room performed better on the prospective memory tasks than the participants in the room with no scent. This was the case for remembering events and remembering to complete tasks at particular times.


Source: Science Daily | Comments (18)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #9 Posted by pallidin 11 years ago
Now I forgot what the topic was about...
Comment icon #10 Posted by moonshadow60 11 years ago
There is a lot to be said for the old uses of herbs and such. My grandmothers both used herbal medicine to doctor the family. I still keep a lavender sachet tucked inside my pillowcase to help with sleep at night.
Comment icon #11 Posted by OverSword 11 years ago
There is a lot to be said for the old uses of herbs and such. My grandmothers both used herbal medicine to doctor the family. I still keep a lavender sachet tucked inside my pillowcase to help with sleep at night. Really? What are the benefits?
Comment icon #12 Posted by EtherialNight 11 years ago
For my exams at uni I used to take a mug of hot water with rosemary in it {sprig of rosemary in cup, pour on boiling water and put some kind of lid on, to keep the essential oils in}. It was amazing at helping to job the memory when I forgot answers. I have recommended this tea to others taking exams too. Rosemary for remembrance is an old old remedy.
Comment icon #13 Posted by Lava_Lady 11 years ago
Lavender helps you relax... I love the scent of fresh lavender and Rosemary. Rosemary tastes great on steaks and poultry too.
Comment icon #14 Posted by moonshadow60 11 years ago
Exactly. Lavender makes you feel relaxed. My maternal grandmother would crush checkerberries and put them in warm milk for a tummy ache. Worked wonderfully. The old-fashioned remedies worked just as well, and sometimes much better than the newer, less natural ways of healing.
Comment icon #15 Posted by Lava_Lady 11 years ago
Exactly. Lavender makes you feel relaxed. My maternal grandmother would crush checkerberries and put them in warm milk for a tummy ache. Worked wonderfully. The old-fashioned remedies worked just as well, and sometimes much better than the newer, less natural ways of healing. There is a restaurant on one of our outer islands that uses lavender as an herb in traditional dishes. I think it was featured on bizarre foods. Never tasted anything like that yet but would love to.
Comment icon #16 Posted by regeneratia 11 years ago
Maybe Ophelia was right.
Comment icon #17 Posted by shrooma 11 years ago
i hope the religious aren't reading this thread, or they'll be sending the inquisition round to burn you lot for resorting to witchcraft!! :-)
Comment icon #18 Posted by moonshadow60 11 years ago
If they do, more fools they. Herbal healing has been successfully done for thousands, maybe millions of years on this planet. Every commercial medicine comes with a list of side effects as long as your arm and most of them have a commercial medicine to be prescribed to counter those side effects, which in turn probably has side effects. The medicines of today are created to mask symptoms, not cure anything, except maybe antibiotics.


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