Will taking rosemary boost the performance of your brain?

The ability of rosemary to boost brain performance has been shown for the first time by researchers at Northumbria University.

Well-known for its medicinal properties, a study has identified that blood levels of a rosemary oil component are related to cognitive performance.

The discovery was made when investigating the effect of one of rosemary's main chemical components on human behaviour - 1,8 cineole (1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo [2,2,2] octane).

Researchers tested cognitive performance and mood in 20 participants who were given varying levels of rosemary.

They were then subjected to speed, accuracy and mood tests, which revealed that those exposed to higher levels of rosemary had improved cognitive performance.

The results also indicated that a positive mood - generated by rosemary - also improved cognitive performance.

It has also been speculated that rosemary carried anti-cancer properties, particularly in relation to breast cancer.

It was found that the oil interfered with the transformation of normal cells into cancerous ones.

Find the nearest Barchester care home.