Sniffing Rosemary Can Increase Memory by 75%

The Future of Aromatherapy

Researcher Dr. Mark Moss is excited at the real-life implications of the study: “… [we] focused on prospective memory, which involves the ability to remember events that will occur in the future and to remember to complete tasks at particular times. This is critical for everyday functioning, for example when someone needs to remember to post a birthday card or to take medication at a particular time.”

“Plants are very complex organisms and contain many different active compounds and these vary in concentration from plant to plant and even within the same plant over the course of a day,” he says.  “The accumulation of knowledge regarding possible impacts of plant aromas and extracts could potentially lead to an identification of the best combination to promote specific effects.”

Dr. Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, who was not involved in the study, agrees: “[the study] opens up the doorway for us to explore other odors and how they affect people” (

How To Use Rosemary

To help boost your memory, fill your office with the scent of rosemary by diffusing a few drops of high-quality organic essential oil using a diffuser. You can also keep a rosemary plant by your desk.

For an on-the-go solution, mix a drop of rosemary oil in a teaspoon of coconut oil and carry it in a small cosmetic tin. Rub a bit of oil on your wrists as needed to keep your brain sharp!

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