與記憶力提升、減少焦慮及阿茲海默症防護相關的草藥

與記憶力提升、減少焦慮及阿茲海默症防護相關的草藥

迷迭香不僅是廚房的常備香料，更是一種具有古老根源與現代科學支持的天然療方。

作者：Dipa Kamdar，《The Conversation》

2026年4月9日（星期四）15:19 BST

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/c1d319_1ac26b73d8c34ad8b57f339453ee4b58/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

迷迭香（Rosmarinus officinalis）是一種原產於地中海地區的芳香草本植物，長久以來深受世界各地廚房喜愛。但除了烹調用途外，迷迭香也因其卓越的健康功效——特別是對腦部健康、炎症及免疫功能的影響——而日益受到重視。

研究指出，迷迭香甚至可能在對抗全球最常見癡呆症——阿茲海默症——的過程中展現潛力。

在歷史上，迷迭香常與記憶力與精神清晰度相關聯。古希臘與羅馬時期的學生與學者常藉由使用迷迭香來提升專注與記憶能力。

現代科學發現或許確有道理：有研究顯示，吸入迷迭香香氣的人在記憶測試中表現優於未接觸香氣者。

那麼，迷迭香究竟如何作用於大腦？其中涉及多種機制。

首先，迷迭香能促進血液循環——包括腦部血流——進而增強氧氣與營養輸送，有助於提升思維清晰度。它也具鎮靜效果；研究指出迷迭香的香氣可減輕焦慮並改善睡眠。減少壓力意味著更好專注與記憶保持。

迷迭香含有可與腦部神經傳導物質互動的化合物。其中一種稱為1,8-桉葉素（1,8-cineole），能防止乙醯膽鹼（acetylcholine）的分解——這種腦內化學物質對學習與記憶至關重要。藉由保護乙醯膽鹼，迷迭香或能在年齡增長時維持認知功能。

另一項優勢是迷迭香富含抗氧化劑，有助保護腦細胞免受氧化壓力所造成的損害，而氧化壓力是認知退化的主要原因之一。

迷迭香亦含有大量植物化學物質，能增進健康。其中最具代表性的成分是「肌肽酸」（carnosic acid），既具抗氧化又具抗發炎作用，可保護腦細胞不受損害，特別是與阿茲海默症相關的細胞損傷。

在2025年，研究人員開發出一種穩定的肌肽酸衍生物，名為diAcCA。在有希望的臨床前研究中，此化合物可改善記憶、增加突觸數量（即腦細胞間連結），並減少與阿茲海默症相關的有害蛋白質，例如β類澱粉蛋白與tau蛋白。

更令人振奮的是，diAcCA僅在發炎的腦區啟動，這可降低副作用風險。迄今，動物實驗顯示此化合物無毒性且能顯著提升認知能力，令人期待未來的人體試驗。

研究人員亦認為，diAcCA可能有助治療其他發炎性疾病，例如第二型糖尿病、心血管疾病及帕金森氏症。

不止於腦部健康

迷迭香的功效可能遠超大腦範圍。傳統上，它也被用於改善消化、減輕腹脹及降低身體炎症。

其中如「迷迭香酸」（rosmarinic acid）與「熊果酸」（ursolic acid）等化合物，以其全身抗發炎效果而知名。研究顯示，迷迭香可能對皮膚亦有益處——例如舒緩青春痘與濕疹；而肌肽酸則或具抗老化效果，可保護皮膚免受日曬損傷。

迷迭香精油亦具抗菌性能，不僅有助食品保存，還可能應用於藥品開發中，以抑制細菌與真菌的生長。

對多數人而言，迷迭香在食物、茶飲或芳香療法中使用是安全的。但若為濃縮劑或萃取物，過量食用則可能引發問題。攝入大量迷迭香可能導致嘔吐或（罕見地）癲癇發作，特別是癲癇患者。

此外，迷迭香可能理論上刺激子宮收縮，因此孕婦應避免高劑量使用。由於迷迭香能與某些藥物（如抗凝血劑）互相作用，服用迷迭香補充劑前最好諮詢醫療專業人員。

迷迭香不僅是一種廚房香料，也是根植古老傳統並獲現代科學支持的天然療方。隨著對新化合物（如diAcCA）的持續研究，迷迭香未來或將在阿茲海默症及其他慢性疾病的治療中扮演關鍵角色。

在此之前，無論是在一頓美食、一杯茶，或是吸入清香的迷迭香精油中，將迷迭香融入生活，都可能是一個微小但帶來巨大健康益處的選擇。

關於作者

Dipa Kamdar 是金斯頓大學（Kingston University）藥學實務的高級講師。

本文依《創用CC授權條款》（Creative Commons License）轉載自《The Conversation》。可閱讀原文。

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英文原文：

The herb linked to better memory, lower anxiety and Alzheimer’s protection

Rosemary is more than just a kitchen staple. It’s a natural remedy with ancient roots and modern scientific backing

Dipa Kamdar The Conversation

Thursday 09 April 2026 15:19 BST

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), the aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean, has long been treasured in kitchens around the world. But beyond its culinary charm, rosemary is also gaining recognition for its impressive health benefits, especially when it comes to brain health, inflammation and immune function.

Research suggests rosemary may even hold promise in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, the leading cause of dementia worldwide.

Historically, rosemary has been linked to memory and mental clarity. In ancient Greece and Rome, students and scholars used rosemary in the hope of sharpening concentration and recall.

Modern science is finding there may have been something in this: in one study, people who inhaled rosemary’s scent performed better on memory tasks compared to those in an unscented environment.

So, how does rosemary work on the brain? There are several mechanisms at play.

For starters, rosemary stimulates blood circulation, including to the brain, helping deliver more oxygen and nutrients, which may improve mental clarity. It also has calming properties; some studies suggest its aroma can reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Lower stress can mean better focus and memory retention.

Rosemary contains compounds that interact with the brain’s neurotransmitters. One such compound, 1,8-cineole, helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical essential for learning and memory. By preserving acetylcholine, rosemary may help support cognitive performance, especially as we age.

Another bonus? Rosemary is packed with antioxidants, which help protect brain cells from damage caused by oxidative stress – a major factor in cognitive decline.

Rosemary is rich in phytochemicals, plant compounds with health-enhancing effects. One of the most powerful is carnosic acid, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that helps shield brain cells from harm, particularly from the kinds of damage linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

In 2025, researchers developed a stable version of carnosic acid called diAcCA. In promising pre-clinical studies, this compound improved memory, boosted the number of synapses (the connections between brain cells), and reduced harmful Alzheimer’s related proteins like amyloid-beta and tau.

What’s especially exciting is that diAcCA only activates in inflamed brain regions, which could minimise side effects. So far, studies in mice show no signs of toxicity and significant cognitive improvements, raising hopes that human trials could be next.

Researchers also believe diAcCA could help treat other inflammatory conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Beyond brain health

Rosemary’s benefits could extend well beyond the brain. It’s been used traditionally to ease digestion, relieve bloating and reduce inflammation.

Compounds like rosmarinic acid and ursolic acid are known for their anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body. Rosemary may even benefit the skin – a review suggests it can help soothe acne and eczema, while carnosic acid may offer anti-ageing benefits by protecting skin from sun damage.

Rosemary oil also has antimicrobial properties, showing promise in food preservation and potential pharmaceutical applications by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi.

For most people, rosemary is safe when used in food, teas or aromatherapy. But concentrated doses or extracts can pose risks. Consuming large amounts may cause vomiting or, in rare cases, seizures – particularly in people with epilepsy.

There’s also a theoretical risk of rosemary stimulating uterine contractions, so pregnant people should avoid high doses. Because rosemary can interact with some medications – such as blood thinners – it’s best to check with a healthcare provider before taking large amounts in supplement form.

Rosemary is more than just a kitchen staple. It’s a natural remedy with ancient roots and modern scientific backing. As research continues, particularly into breakthrough compounds like diAcCA, rosemary could play an exciting role in future treatments for Alzheimer’s and other chronic conditions.

In the meantime, adding a little rosemary to your life – whether in a meal, a cup of tea, or a breath of its fragrant oil – could be a small step with big health benefits.

About the author

Dipa Kamdar is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.