The minty mind
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme get all the kudos as far as combinations of herbs go, at least as far as folk songs go. They are not the only herbs that go well together though. A less lyrically popular but no less useful combination is rosemary and spearmint; you can make it into a soap, use it to spice up a jam, use it in body scrubs, and according to new research you can use it as a brain tonic.
Often less valued than its cousin peppermint, spearmint is useful in its own right. Spearmint was collected throughout the Roman empire and was used to clear unpleasant odours, freshen breath, and protect food stores from rodents. Its primary medicinal use has been to treat indigestion, nausea and vomiting, as well as relieve the symptoms of respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and the common cold.
Rosemary was also popular in the ancient world. In ancient Greece rosemary was burnt at shrines to drive away evil spirits and illnesses. It was believed that a fresh twig beneath your pillow could ward off nightmares. A necklace made from rosemary was also believed to preserve your youth and growing rosemary was thought to attract elves to your garden. Throughout Europe during the Middle Ages rosemary was one of the herbs used to flavour beer and wine. In Spain and Italy it was considered a safeguard against witches and evil influences generally. The Sicilians believed that young fairies, taking the form of snakes, would lie among its branches. Across the world it has also had a reputation for enhancing memory which is why we still use as an emblem of remembrance.
The latest research has picked up on this capacity to enhance mental function and looked at both rosemary and spearmint.
The research involved giving antioxidant extracts made from rosemary and spearmint to mice. The extracts were given at different strengths and the effects on brain function were measured. It was found that the highest strength rosemary extract was the most effective at boosting learning capability and memory function. However, even the lower dose rosemary extract and the spearmint extract improved memory. There was also evidence of lower rates of oxidative stress produced by both herbs and oxidative stress is associated with age-related decline.
The researchers say they don’t have any evidence of what strength of extract would be needed to improve age related mental decline such as you get with Alzheimer’s, but they believe that they will help.
It seems that spearmint can keep not just your breath but also your mind minty fresh as well.
