News: The scent of rosemary could improve memory

Have a bad memory?

You might want to buy an essential oil diffuser.

A new study from Northumbria University found that smelling rosemary essential oil improves memory.

‘In this 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,” study author Dr. Mark Moss said on the University’s website. "This is critical for everyday functioning."

Study participants were randomly divided into two groups and put in either a non-scented room or a rosemary-scented room.

Those in the rosemary room were better able to complete memory tasks without prompting, remember events and remember to complete tasks at specified times.

‘Remembering when and where to go and for what reasons underpins everything we do, and we all suffer minor failings that can be frustrating and sometimes dangerous,” co-author Jemma McCready said.

Rosemary might just help put a stop to that.

Do you have a bad memory? Will you try diffusing rosemary essential oil to put this study to the test?

-Katharine Watts, Associate Web Editor

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