Rosemary Tea: What It’s Good For and How to Brew
Rosemary is one of the most widely recognized herbal medicines. It has been used for centuries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas to treat a host of illnesses. Today, medical research has backed up many of these health claims.
Drinking rosemary tea is a great way to boost immune health: plus it’s delicious! Rosemary tea offers a delightful pine flavor and aromatic fragrance that is invigorating and rejuvenating. Discover the stunning flavors of rosemary tea and learn more about its health benefits, side effects, and proper brewing methods.
What Is Rosemary Tea?
Rosemary tea is made from the leaves of the rosemary plant known by the botanical name Rosmarinus officinalis. The rosemary plant is native to the Mediterranean region and is an evergreen shrub. The rosemary shrub belongs to the mint family, which also includes lavender, thyme, basil, and sage. The leaves are used to make rosemary essential oil, rosemary extract, and rosemary tea.
Rosemary tea is an herbal tea and is rich in vitamins, iron, and calcium. The herb is commonly used in culinary dishes and to make essential oils. Rosemary is a perennial plant, making it a popular garden plant. You can brew the tea using rosemary leaves straight from your garden.
In ancient times, rosemary tea was used to treat everything from hair loss to digestive system ailments. Today, research shows rosemary tea may be beneficial to health when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Flavor Profile
Rosemary tea is naturally caffeine-free and can be consumed throughout the day. Rosemary tea offers strong notes of pine with subtle undertones of lemon and mint. This tea also boasts a sharp, fragrant pine smell that invigorates the senses.
Health Benefits of Rosemary Tea
1. Streamlines Digestion
Drinking rosemary tea can help improve digestive processes that keep your gut healthy and happy. Rosemary tea boasts antispasmodic properties that help to reduce gas and bloating. This herbal tea also supports healthy gut bacteria and improves nutrient absorption.
Rosemary tea also contains carnosic acid, a compound that helps balance the microflora and good bacteria in your gut. Drinking rosemary tea can help your digestive system recover after a bout of illness or improve an upset stomach (1). A healthy gut microbiome means your body can help fend off infections more easily and can also help aid weight loss since your body processes fats more efficiently.
2. Helps Eliminate Free Radicals
Rosemary tea is rich in antioxidants that help boost overall health and prevent damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are cells that wreak havoc in the body by causing oxidative stress, which is the body's form of rust. Oxidative stress has been linked to serious illness including Alzheimer's disease, premature aging, and certain types of cancer (2).
The antioxidant activity of rosemary tea helps to flush out free radicals and prevent the onset of oxidative stress. These potent antioxidants mostly consist of tea polyphenols and flavonoids.
3. Boosts Immune Health
Rosemary helps boost immunity thanks to its rich concentration of antioxidants and vitamins. Rosemary tea contains high amounts of vitamin C, which has been shown to boost immune health and prevent illness caused by bacteria and viruses (3). Rosemary tea also has high concentrations of vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, and calcium to keep your immune system working at peak levels.
4. May Regulate Blood Sugar and Heart Health
Rosemary tea contains camphene, luteolin, and carnosol, which help to regulate blood sugar levels and promote heart health. In a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers examined the mechanism of rosemary tea on heart health. Researchers found that rosmarinic acid helps to inhibit the peroxidation of lipids in rabbits (4).
Another study published in 2017 found that rosemary tea may help lower high blood pressure. Results showed that rosemary tea acts as a blood thinner, helping to improve circulation and decrease the risk of blood clots and heart attacks (5).
5. May Promote Hair Growth
Rosemary oil has long been touted as a natural remedy for premature hair loss conditions such as alopecia. Drinking rosemary tea may offer some of the same benefits. Rosemary tea helps to increase blood circulation, which stimulates hair follicles and increase hair growth. The increased circulation also delivers vital nutrients to hair follicles that help to build stronger strands.
You can also use rosemary tea topically as a hair rinse or shampoo to boost hair growth. A rosemary hair rinse can help to eliminate dandruff and remove product build-up that can weigh down hair.
Side Effects of Rosemary Tea
Allergies
Avoid rosemary tea if you are allergic to the rosemary plant or another plant in the same family. People with allergies to aspirin or salicylate drugs may also develop allergies to rosemary tea. Use with caution and stop use immediately if you experience any symptoms of allergic reaction including runny nose, itchy throat, or difficulty breathing.
Pregnant Women
Seek medical advice before using rosemary tea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Compounds in rosemary tea may induce menstrual periods and increase the risk of miscarriage and complications. Rosemary tea may also cause uterine bleeding when consumed in high amounts.
Risk of Seizures
The rosemary leaf has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties that may worsen certain conditions including epilepsy. Always talk to a healthcare professional before drinking herbal teas if you are taking medications or have serious health problems.
How to Brew Rosemary Tea
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon rosemary leaves (fresh or dried)
- 8-10 oz spring or filtered water
- 1 teaspoon sweetener such as honey or sugar (OPTIONAL)
Instructions:
1. Bring water to a rapid boil using a pan on the stove or a temperature-controlled kettle. If using a kettle, set the temperature to 200-212 F.
2. Add rosemary leaves to a tea strainer and place in a tea cup. Add boiling water.
3. Steep the rosemary tea for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the strainer and discard the tea leaves.
4. Add sweetener if desired and enjoy!
Relax With Rosemary Tea
This fragrant evergreen herb makes a delicious tea that is also healthy. Its been used for centuries thanks to its natural medicinal properties that help boost immune and digestive health. Today, sitting back with a cup of rosemary tea can help streamline digestion and increase relaxation.
Brew a cup of tea using fresh rosemary leaves from your garden or opt for a dried loose tea. Whichever you choose, you're sure to reap the positive effects and delicious flavor of this herbal tea.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4749867/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4227022/
3. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
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