Rosemary compound found to support healthy skin regeneration after injury

Medical Xpress / Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania / JCI Insight ^ | Nov. 5, 2025 | Emmanuel Rapp et al

[ConservativeMind]

The social media trend touting rosemary and rosemary extract as part of skincare routines is now backed by science. A compound found in rosemary leaves may significantly improve the healing of skin wounds and reduce scarring, according to research.

Said Thomas Leung, MD, Ph.D., "Our findings suggest that rosemary extract, and specifically the antioxidant, carnosic acid, can shift the healing process from scarring to healthy skin regeneration. We don't have proven ways to consistently do that in humans."

Conducting the research in mice, the researchers made a cream with carnosic acid, a naturally occurring antioxidant mostly existing in rosemary, to accelerate wound closure and restore hair follicles, oil glands, and cartilage. They also found that a particular nerve sensor in the skin previously identified as essential to scarless healing, TRPA1, was critical for stimulating the healing in this instance, too.

When tested in mice without the TRPA1 sensor, which previous research from Leung showed is responsible for scarless healing, carnosic cream lost its impact.

"We also identified other herbs, such as thyme and oregano, that may activate TRPA1. But rosemary stood out for its potency and safety," said Rapp Reyes, co-lead author of the study.

"Other natural ingredients, such as mustard oil, or the topical medication imiquimod are known to also stimulate the TRPA1 receptor, but unlike rosemary, those can cause irritation and inflammation,"

The researchers also found a localized effect from rosemary; scarless healing only occurred when carnosic acid cream was applied to the site of the injury but not when it was applied to skin far from the wound.

Nevertheless, given rosemary's accessibility and low cost, the researchers hope their findings will inspire further investigation into its use in human wound care, especially for patients at risk of excessive scarring.

---

TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:

[ConservativeMind]

Scarless skin healing from applying carnosic acid from rosemary extract.

[ConservativeMind]

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List
This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

[metmom]

People could make a poultice of rosemary and apply that.

[Roos_Girl]

The article said it helped regrow hair follicles at the would so I wonder if it would be helpful for people who are baldin.

[Dr. Sivana]

Might be counterindicated if you have high blood pressure.

[Red Badger]

Skin grows where my ROSEMARY goes!.....................

[Red Badger]

Ping!............

[tired&retired]

Per AI

Carnosic acid is a natural compound found in rosemary and sage with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has shown potential in protecting nerve cells, improving memory, and reducing inflammation in studies, particularly in models of Alzheimer’s disease. While pure carnosic acid is unstable, researchers have developed stable derivatives that may be used therapeutically for neurodegenerative conditions.

Carnosic acid is a diterpene, a type of natural compound, found in the Lamiaceae family of plants, most notably rosemary and sage.

It is a lipid-soluble antioxidant with a high capacity for scavenging free radicals.

It is one of the main compounds responsible for the antioxidant activity of rosemary extracts.

Potential benefits
Neuroprotection: It protects neurons from damage through several mechanisms, including reducing oxidative stress and preventing the buildup of harmful proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Anti-inflammatory effects: It can reduce inflammation in the brain and other tissues.

Cognitive function: In mouse models of Alzheimer’s, a stable derivative of carnosic acid improved memory and increased the number of synapses, which are connections between nerve cells.

Antioxidant activity: It can protect against oxidation in lipids, such as in lipoproteins and fatty acids of rosemary extracts.

[tired&retired]

“Skin grows where my ROSEMARY goes!......”

I don’t think that Rosemary Oil is a good sexual lubricant.

[Red Badger]

Rosemary oil can be used as a natural bug repellent..............

[Red Badger]

Rosemary oil can be used as a natural bug repellent..............

[tired&retired]

You can say that again. 😁