Research

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

18 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

1
Meta-analyses
2
Systematic reviews
15
RCTs
0
Other studies
Meta-analyses (6%)
Systematic reviews (11%)
RCTs (83%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2022·Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas·S M Hussain, A F Syeda, M Alshammari, et al

Cognition enhancing effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) in lab animal studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meta-analysisBrain Health

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 studies on the cognition-enhancing effects of Rosmarinus officinalis in animals. Meta-analysis of 15 studies showed positive effects on cognitive outcomes in both normal and impaired animals, though with substantial heterogeneity.

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2025·Frontiers in immunology·Marta Gómez de Cedrón, Juan Moreno-Rubio, Victor de la O Pascual, et al

Randomized clinical trial in cancer patients shows immune metabolic effects exerted by formulated bioactive phenolic diterpenes with potential clinical benefits.

RCTImmunity Inflammation

RCT in cancer patients exploring the immune-metabolic effects of a bioactive formula based on diterpenic phenols from rosemary, formulated with bioactive alkylglycerols. The lung cancer subgroup showed a reduction in biomarkers of systemic inflammation and modulation of immune system mediators, suggesting potential clinical benefits.

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2024·Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses·Mahlagha Dehghan, Naeimeh Naeimi Bafghi, Mohamed Alnaiem, et al

The Effects of Lavender and Rosemary Extracts on Sore Throat and Hoarseness After Endotracheal Intubation in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 90

RCT comparing the effects of lavender and rosemary extracts on sore throat and hoarseness after endotracheal intubation in 90 patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Rosemary and lavender groups showed lower severity of sore throat and hoarseness compared to control, with significant differences observed 2, 6, and 24 hours after surgery.

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2023·Explore (New York, N.Y.)·Arash Momeni Safarabadi, Mohammad Gholami, Parastou Kordestani-Moghadam, et al

The effect of rosemary hydroalcoholic extract on cognitive function and activities of daily living of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A clinical trial.

RCTn = 77Mental Clarity Physical Performance

Triple-blind clinical trial with 77 COPD patients assessing the effect of 500 mg rosemary hydroalcoholic extract on cognitive function and activities of daily living. The intervention group showed significant improvements in cognitive function and IADL scores compared to the control group, but no significant difference in LCADL scores.

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2022·Phytotherapy research : PTR·Shayan Akbari, Mohammad Hassan Sohouli, Saeedeh Ebrahimzadeh, et al

Effect of rosemary leaf powder with weight loss diet on lipid profile, glycemic status, and liver enzymes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

RCTn = 110

RCT of 110 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease comparing 4g rosemary leaf powder to placebo over 8 weeks, alongside a weight loss diet and physical activity. Significant improvements in liver enzymes, glycemic status, and lipid profile were observed in both groups, but no significant differences between rosemary and placebo groups except for β-cell dysfunction.

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2022·BMC complementary medicine and therapies·Fatemeh Hadizadeh-Talasaz, Fariba Mardani, Narjes Bahri, et al

Effect of Rosemary Cream on Episiotomy Wound Healing in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 80Skin Hair Health

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial studied the effect of rosemary cream on episiotomy wound healing in 80 primiparous women. The rosemary cream group showed a significantly higher rate of wound healing compared to the placebo group by the 10th day postpartum.

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2022·Complementary therapies in clinical practice·Saeed Azizi, Neda Mohamadi, Fariba Sharififar, et al

Rosemary as an adjunctive treatment in patients with major depressive disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

RCTMood Stress Mental Clarity

RCT assessing the effects of orally administered rosemary capsules in patients with major depressive disorder. The rosemary group showed significant decreases in anxiety and depression scores compared to the control group after 8 weeks. Memory improvement was also observed as a beneficial side effect.

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2018·Expert opinion on therapeutic patents·Josynaria Araújo Neves, Josyanne Araújo Neves, Rita de Cassia Meneses Oliveira

Pharmacological and biotechnological advances with Rosmarinus officinalis L.

Systematic review

Systematic review of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil (EO-Ro) focusing on its pharmacological properties and biotechnological applications. The review covers antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects, and highlights the potential use of EO-Ro in supplements, cosmetics, and new formulations.

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2010·Journal of dietary supplements·Catherine Ulbricht, Tracee Rae Abrams, Ashley Brigham, et al

An evidence-based systematic review of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.

Systematic review

Systematic review of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) covering scientific literature, expert opinion, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.

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2025·International journal of molecular sciences·Pau Navarro, Julián Castillo, Jonathan Jones, et al

Skin Photoprotection and Anti-Aging Benefits of a Combination of Rosemary and Grapefruit Extracts: Evidence from In Vitro Models and Human Study.

RCTn = 20Skin Hair Health Inflammation

The study evaluated the photoprotective, anti-photoaging, and anti-erythema efficacy of a combination of rosemary and grapefruit extract (Nutroxsun) in vitro and in a placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study with 20 subjects. The botanical blend significantly attenuated UVR-induced reductions of procollagen I and elastin, lowered MMP-1 and MMP-3 protein secretion, reduced ROS and proinflammatory interleukins, and reduced UV-induced erythema reaction.

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2024·Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine·Greissi Tatieli Franke Tremêa, Karine Raquel Uhdich Kleibert, Lenara Schalanski Krause, et al

Aesthetic Radiofrequency Associated withSupplementation is Safe and Reduces Oxidative Stress in Women: Randomized, and Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 32Inflammation

This randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluated the effects of Rosmarinus officinalis supplementation and aesthetic radiofrequency on oxidative stress markers and biochemical markers in 32 women. Supplementation with 500 mg/day of Rosmarinus officinalis reduced oxidative stress, while the radiofrequency treatment affected cholesterol and creatinine levels.

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2018·Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)·Mark Moss, Ellen Smith, Matthew Milner, et al

Acute ingestion of rosemary water: Evidence of cognitive and cerebrovascular effects in healthy adults.

RCTn = 80Mental Clarity Brain Health

RCT of 80 healthy adults comparing 250 mL of rosemary water to plain mineral water. Rosemary water showed small, beneficial effects on cognition and cerebrovascular response, with higher deoxygenated haemoglobin levels during cognitive tasks, suggesting potential facilitation of oxygen extraction.

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2017·Complementary therapies in clinical practice·Pouya Nematolahi, Mitra Mehrabani, Somayyeh Karami-Mohajeri, et al

Effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. on memory performance, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in university students: A randomized clinical trial.

RCTn = 68Mental Clarity Mood Stress Sleep

Double-blinded randomized controlled trial with 68 university students receiving 500 mg rosemary or placebo twice daily for one month. Rosemary improved prospective and retrospective memory, reduced anxiety and depression, and improved sleep quality compared to placebo.

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2014·Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology·A Pérez-Sánchez, E Barrajón-Catalán, N Caturla, et al

Protective effects of citrus and rosemary extracts on UV-induced damage in skin cell model and human volunteers.

RCTSkin Hair Health

The study investigated the protective effects of a combination of rosemary and citrus bioflavonoids extracts against UV-induced damage in human HaCaT keratinocytes and human volunteers. The combination showed synergistic effects in increasing cell survival, reducing ROS, and preventing DNA damage in vitro. In human volunteers, oral intake of the combination increased the minimal erythema dose, indicating enhanced photoprotection.

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2010·Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis·Claudia Balderas, Alma Villaseñor, Antonia García, et al

Metabolomic approach to the nutraceutical effect of rosemary extract plus Ω-3 PUFAs in diabetic children with capillary electrophoresis.

RCTHeart Health Inflammation

RCT evaluating the effect of a special additive containing rosemary extract, vitamin E, and omega-3 PUFAs on oxidative stress in type 1 diabetic children. Metabolomic analysis showed clear differences in urine metabolites between treated and non-treated groups, despite no differences in clinical biochemical parameters.

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2017·Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology·N S L Perry, R Menzies, F Hodgson, et al

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial of a combined extract of sage, rosemary and melissa, traditional herbal medicines, on the enhancement of memory in normal healthy subjects, including influence of age.

RCTn = 44Brain Health

A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study evaluated the effects of a combination of sage, rosemary, and melissa on verbal recall in 44 healthy subjects. No significant differences were found overall, but subgroup analysis showed significant improvements in delayed word recall for subjects under 63 years of age.

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2013·Journal of medicinal food·Jacob B Lindheimer, Bryan D Loy, Patrick J O'Connor

Short-term effects of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis and Rosmarinus eriocalyx) on sustained attention and on energy and fatigue mood states in young adults with low energy.

RCTn = 40Focus -Energy -

RCT testing the effects of black pepper and rosemary on sustained attention and energy in 40 young adults with low energy. No consistent short-term improvements were found in sustained attention, motivation, or feelings of mental energy and fatigue.

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2011·Journal of medicinal food·Andrew Pengelly, James Snow, Simon Y Mills, et al

Short-term study on the effects of rosemary on cognitive function in an elderly population.

RCTn = 28Brain Health

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, repeated-measures crossover study investigated the acute effects of dried rosemary leaf powder on cognitive performance in 28 older adults. The lowest dose (750 mg) of rosemary improved speed of memory, while the highest dose (6,000 mg) impaired it. Other cognitive performance measures showed inconsistent deleterious effects.

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