By Ashima Sharda Mahindra

Copyright timesnownews

It is normal for your memory to fade a little as you age. But if you are worried, you are not alone. However, experts have come up with a rather simple but enjoyable 60-second task you can do every morning right after waking up to enhance your overall cognitive health and strengthen your memory. According to various studies, you can enhance your memory power in just a minute – and this low-risk habit can support daily cognition – especially when you combine it with social interaction, a healthy diet, and a lifestyle which includes exercise and proper sleep. Experts recommend smelling rosemary, a flavourful and fragrant herb from the Mediterranean region, to help you do that. In a controlled experiment conducted by Northumbria University, a group of adults was placed in a rosemary-scented room. A few others were sent to a non-scented room. According to experts, the end of the experiment revealed that those in the rosemary room performed significantly better on prospective-memory tasks where they had to remember something later. Researchers said the same experiment was then conducted on school-going kids, and again the results were similar. How does rosemary help boost memory and brain health? Rosemary is packed with compounds that increase acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is crucial for learning and memory. Experts say it boosts cognitive performance by improving brain blood flow and contains antioxidants like carnosic acid that protect brain cells from damage. Also, rosemary’s aroma improves alertness, reduces mental fatigue, and enhances mood by lowering the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Rosemary is also a powerhouse of phytochemicals – plant compounds with health-enhancing effects. The herb helps shield your brain cells from any kind of harm – especially those linked to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. And so, you can keep a small sprig of fresh rosemary on your bedside table and inhale gently for 30 to 60 seconds after you wake up and feel better. Other health benefits of rosemary Apart from helping regulate your brain health, rosemary’s benefits extend to other areas as well. According to experts, the herb is used traditionally to ease digestion, relieve bloating, and reduce inflammation. Packed with compounds like rosmarinic acid and ursolic acid – known for their anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body – rosemary also benefits your skin, as it can soothe acne and eczema, while carnosic acid may offer anti-ageing benefits by protecting skin from sun damage. Rosemary oil is also loaded with antimicrobial properties, which show promise in food preservation and have potential pharmaceutical applications by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi.