Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) seems to be the key to longevity, at least for the residents of the small coastal Italian village of Acciaroli, where over 300 centenarians live—20% of whom are nearing 110 years of age.

Researchers from the U.S. and Italy believe that the secret to their longevity may lie in the abundant rosemary used in their cooking. They were granted permission to study and observe these individuals to determine the factors contributing to their long lives.

Rosemary is widely used in the cooking of these Italian centenarians, who have surpassed the age of 100 without showing signs of cardiovascular diseases or dementia.

According to the pharmacology laboratory at the University of Ioannina’s Department of Medicine, rosemary has tonic, antispasmodic, and antiseptic properties. Traditionally, it is taken orally to treat intestinal infections, diarrhea, colitis, bloating, liver disorders, and jaundice. It is also a circulatory stimulant, increasing blood flow in the vessels, and an effective healer for oral wounds. It is administered as an infusion for the treatment of flu, colds, rheumatism, and indigestion.

Researchers do not attribute magical powers to rosemary; they recognize that the longevity of the residents of this small Italian village is due to a combination of factors, such as the Mediterranean diet, the daily walking for shopping and errands, and maintaining friendly and social relationships.

Rosemary also benefits memory! The scent of rosemary has been shown to enhance the brain’s ability to recall past events and remember tasks to be executed in the near future, according to researchers at Northumbria University.

During related experiments, participants were asked to take memory tests in a room infused with rosemary aroma. Others took the same tests in a space with lavender scent, while another group performed the tests in a room with clean air and no fragrances.

The researchers observed that those in the rosemary-scented room exhibited improvements in long-term memory and were better at simple calculations, with their ability to recall information improving by 15%.

Therefore, beyond being a necessary addition to cooking for longevity, we can also incorporate rosemary as an excellent mental tonic.