Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus

An evergreen Mediterranean shrub used since antiquity as the herb of memory and focus.

At a glance

Resinous, piney, with a warm camphor lift. Tea is bracing and bitter-green; the aroma alone clears the head.

Morning focus tea
Desk diffuser for cognitive work
Scalp oil for hair growth
Roast and meat seasoning

Modern research

Tradition

Greek students wove it into their hair before exams; Romans burned it as incense. Shakespeare's Ophelia: 'rosemary, that's for remembrance'.

Modern evidence

Inhaled 1,8-cineole correlates with improvements in working memory. Topical rosemary oil compared favorably with 2% minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia in a 6-month RCT.