The herb is seen by many as a gift by the gods and as a symbol of love, friendship, and trust. In modern times rosemary is grown throughout the world and is widely used as a medicinal herb and to season food. It is most known as the Longevity herb and used in wreaths for hundreds of years for remembrance.
The two primary active ingredients found in the herb are carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. Carnosic acid is a preservative and antioxidant found in both rosemary and common sage. The compound has demonstrated its ability to prevent damage to skin cells by UV-A radiation and is accepted as a very powerful antioxidant. Studies have also shown that carnosic acid offers protection against harmful carcinogens. Rosmarinic acid is found in a variety of herbs other than rosemary, these include thyme, oregano, and peppermint. The compound exhibits properties as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial.
The most prominent modern use of rosemary is as an antioxidant. The primary goal of the herb in this use is to prevent the damage caused by oxidative stress that occurs during many diseases. The brain is particularly susceptible to the effects of oxidative stress, as demonstrated by the condition's role in diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that the antioxidants in rosemary, such as the carnosic and rosmarinic acids, are highly effective in combating this problem.