From the Guidelines
Rosemary contains compounds that may help with Alzheimer's disease, particularly carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, which have shown neuroprotective properties in preliminary research. These compounds appear to work as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that may protect brain cells from damage and reduce the formation of amyloid-beta plaques associated with Alzheimer's. While promising, there is no standardized medical regimen using rosemary for Alzheimer's treatment. For those interested in incorporating rosemary, options include using the herb in cooking (1-2 teaspoons daily), drinking rosemary tea (1-2 cups daily), or using commercially available rosemary extracts (following package directions, typically 750-1500mg daily). These should be considered complementary approaches rather than replacements for prescribed medications. The blood-brain barrier penetration of rosemary's active compounds remains a challenge for therapeutic effectiveness. Anyone considering rosemary supplements should consult their healthcare provider first, especially if taking medications, as rosemary may interact with certain drugs including blood thinners and some seizure medications 1.
Key Considerations
- The evidence for rosemary's effectiveness in Alzheimer's disease is based on preliminary research and more studies are needed to confirm its benefits.
- Rosemary may interact with certain medications, including blood thinners and some seizure medications, and should be used with caution.
- The blood-brain barrier penetration of rosemary's active compounds remains a challenge for therapeutic effectiveness.
- Rosemary should be considered a complementary approach rather than a replacement for prescribed medications.
Recommendations
- Consult with a healthcare provider before using rosemary supplements, especially if taking medications.
- Use rosemary in cooking, drink rosemary tea, or use commercially available rosemary extracts as complementary approaches to prescribed medications.
- Follow package directions for rosemary extracts and consult with a healthcare provider if unsure about dosage or interactions.
From the Research
Relationship Between Rosemary Compounds and Alzheimer's Disease
- There are no direct research papers provided to assist in answering this question, as the studies focus on various pharmacological interventions and treatments for Alzheimer's disease, but do not mention rosemary compounds specifically.
- The studies discuss the efficacy of different pharmacological interventions, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and immunotherapies, in improving cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Some studies mention the use of herbal medications, such as Ginkgo biloba, but do not provide information on rosemary compounds 3, 4.
- Further research would be needed to determine the potential relationship between rosemary compounds and Alzheimer's disease.