Understanding How People Use and Feel About Rosemary

Greg Howard
27th August, 2024

Understanding How People Use and Feel About Rosemary

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study, conducted in Jordan, surveyed 407 participants about their knowledge and use of rosemary
  • Younger participants had higher knowledge scores about rosemary, with a mean score of 2.96
  • Nearly half of the participants used rosemary for medical purposes, mainly for hair improvement and gastrointestinal issues
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) has been historically valued for its various beneficial properties, such as stimulating hair growth, providing antioxidant and antibacterial effects, and functioning as a skin conditioner and fragrance enhancer. In Jordan, the use of rosemary is becoming increasingly popular among the population. A recent study conducted by the Applied Science Private University aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of rosemary use among Jordanians[1]. The study was a cross-sectional survey targeting at least 385 participants, conducted via social media platforms. The questionnaire was validated by independent researchers and covered demographics, knowledge, and attitudes toward rosemary use. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple linear regression. The study involved 407 participants with a mean age of 30.98 years. The knowledge scores ranged from -5 to 7, with a mean of 2.96, and younger participants exhibited higher knowledge scores regarding rosemary. Approximately 48.2% of the participants reported using rosemary for medical purposes, with about three-quarters using rosemary oil and a higher percentage using the leaves. Most participants administered it either orally or topically, obtaining rosemary mainly by growing it at home or from herbalists. Family and friends were the primary influencers for rosemary users. Notably, 94.4% of participants strongly agreed or agreed that plants possess healing power. The most common reasons for using rosemary were improving hair condition (82.1%) and addressing gastrointestinal problems (67.9%). This study highlights the widespread use of rosemary for various purposes and through different methods of application. It underscores the need to address misconceptions and enhance knowledge dissemination to enable informed decision-making and promote the safe and effective use of herbal therapies. The findings of this study are consistent with previous research on the use of medicinal plants and herbs in Jordanian society. A study conducted in 2020 revealed that 70% of Jordanians reported using medicinal plants, with a significant portion believing in their ability to treat diseases[2]. However, the same study found that knowledge about food, beverage, and herb-drug interactions was generally poor, indicating a need for increased community awareness. Furthermore, another study investigating the prevalence and factors predicting the use of herbal medicine among Jordanian adults found a high rate of herbal medicine use, especially among hypertensive patients[3]. This aligns with the current study's findings that a significant portion of the population uses rosemary for medical purposes. The current study also ties into research on the antibacterial properties of essential oils. A study demonstrated the effectiveness of basil and rosemary essential oils against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains, suggesting potential applications in treating and preventing resistant bacterial infections[4]. This adds another layer of understanding to the medicinal value of rosemary, reinforcing its antibacterial properties. In conclusion, the study conducted by the Applied Science Private University provides valuable insights into the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of rosemary use among Jordanians. It emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making and the safe use of herbal therapies, building on previous research that highlights the widespread use and potential benefits of medicinal plants in Jordanian society.

Herbs

References

Main Study

1) Investigation of the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding the utilization of rosemary among the population in Jordan.

Published 26th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307575

Related Studies

2) The perception of Jordanian population towards concomitant administration of food, beverages and herbs with drugs and their possible interactions: A cross-sectional study.

https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13780

3) Herbal medicines: a cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of use among Jordanian adults.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40545-019-0200-3

4) The potential of use basil and rosemary essential oils as effective antibacterial agents.

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18089334


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