READING SLIP · 2012

The paper on the table

Short-term study on the effects of rosemary on cognitive function in an elderly population

Pengelly, A., Snow, J., Mills, S. Y., Scholey, A., Wesnes, K., & Butler, L. R. · 2012

Abstract-based reading · consulted October 17, 2026. A selected teaching example, not a systematic review or dietary recommendation. Full-text methods, funding, registration and risk of bias have not been assessed.

Study design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
Who took part
28 older adults; mean age 75.
Studied preparation
Dried leaf powder at four doses, including 750 mg and 6,000 mg.
Compared with
Placebo; participants received multiple conditions.
Time frame
Testing at 1, 2.5, 4 and 6 hours; seven-day washouts.
What was measured
Performance on cognitive tasks, including speed of memory.
Reported finding
The 750 mg dose improved speed of memory versus placebo; 6,000 mg impaired it. Other detrimental task findings were less consistent.
Uncertainty
The abstract does not provide effect-size confidence intervals. Results differed by dose and task.
What this cannot tell us
Acute task performance does not establish lasting memory protection or dementia prevention. Study doses are descriptions, not serving advice.
Read the source abstract ↗Bring rosemary to the study table →All research-reading cards →

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Sources & further reading

  1. Pengelly, A., Snow, J., Mills, S. Y., Scholey, A., Wesnes, K., & Butler, L. R. · 2012

    Journal of Medicinal Food, 15(1), 10–17. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in 28 older adults. Acute cognitive measurements differed across doses: the lowest tested dose improved memory speed and the highest impaired it. Other results were less consistent. This small, short-term experiment does not establish dementia prevention, lasting benefit, or a recommended culinary amount.

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