By Kelly Jad'on

The garden herb rosemary, long used in the kitchen and herbal pharmacy has been found to kill cells of a leukemia childhood cancer. Native to the Mediterranean and a member of the mint family, rosemary is grown throughout Europe and the United States.  An evergreen shrub, its name comes from the Latin ros marinus or "sea dew."   The herb's leaves are minced and cooked, as with chicken, or used as a tisane.  It is thought to be high in iron, calcium, and Vitamin B6.

Egyptians included rosemary in the wrappings of mummies and brides have inserted springs of the herb into bridal bouquets. During the Middle Ages in France, rosemary was burned with juniper inside hospitals to kill bacteria.

Historically, rosemary has been used by herbalists to jog the memory, ease muscle pain, invigorate hair follicles, and improve the circulatory and nervous systems.  It is known to affect menstruation by alleviating cramps and inducing miscarriage.  The herb also increases urination and reduces kidney pain. The essential oil of rosemary has strong antibacterial and antifungal strengths.  In 1994, Chi-Tang Ho, Ph.D. a professor at Rutgers University, found that the plant chemicals or phytochemicals from rosemary reduced the development of skin tumors in mice.  The report cites that approximately 90% of the antioxidant activity found in the rosemary leaves is attributed to carnosol and carnosic acid, plant compounds.  More recently, scientists from the Burnham Institute for Medical Research have found that carnosic acid protects the brain from stroke, the effects of the brain's aging, and neurodegeneration, that could possibly result in Alzheimer's.  Susan Zunino, a molecular biologist with the Agricultural Research Service, has researched the benefit of carnosol from rosemary in the lab.  She has found that the compound will kill cells of a childhood leukemia. 

One word of caution--rosemary could have unwanted side effects.  The essential oil of rosemary is known to induce epileptic seizures, spasms, vomiting, and allergic reactions.  Do not use the leaves themselves in large quantities. This is especially important for women who are pregnant or nursing.  Additionally, if you are being treated with doxorubin, consult your doctor before adding rosemary to a treatment regimen.  The herb may interact with the medication.

Recipe: Spinach With Onion, Artichoke, and Rosemary

Update on Mar 10, 2008 by At Basil & Spice

Seen At Reuters!    Orlando!    Boston!

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