Scientists claim rosemary can help wounds heal faster, without scars

Have you been following the social media beauty hacks with rosemary? The viral skincare trend may actually work. According to new research, this unlikely viral favourite might be far more than a passing fad.

At the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine, researchers have found something rather extraordinary: a compound inside rosemary, called carnosic acid which appears to help wounds heal more cleanly, and, remarkably, with minimal scarring. When tested on mice, a cream containing this antioxidant encouraged the regeneration of hair follicles, oil glands and even tiny bits of cartilage, instead of leaving behind the usual patchwork of scar tissue.

The whole process began not with a seasoned scientist but with two curious students, who noticed that their feeds were flooded with influencers rubbing rosemary serums into their cheeks with almost evangelical devotion. Wondering if there was any truth behind the trend, they teamed up with dermatologist and senior researcher Dr Thomas Leung.

Also read | 7 ways to use rosemary oil to get long hair, stop breakage, keep scalp healthy

What started as a casual question, “Is rosemary really doing anything?” soon evolved into a clean study uncovering how the herb interacts with the skin’s natural healing machinery.

Why the herb works:

It activates the body’s hidden healing switch

Carnosic acid triggers a nerve receptor called TRPA1, known for its role in regenerative, scar-free healing. When this switch is flipped, wounds appear to heal more like they did when we were children — cleanly and seamlessly.

It is potent yet gentle

Other ingredients, such as mustard oil and the skin drug imiquimod, also stimulate TRPA1, but they’re notorious for irritation. Rosemary, by contrast, showed strong healing potential without the angry redness or inflammation.

Also read | From kitchen to cure: How rosemary supports mental and emotional health

Thyme and oregano are good, but rosemary wins

Some other herbs like thyme and oregano showed mild activity, but none matched rosemary’s potency or safety in the lab tests.

Works only where applied

The cream had to be placed directly on the wound. Using it elsewhere on the body did nothing, a reminder that this isn’t a magic pill but a targeted boost to the skin’s own repair work.

It's a low-cost option

With rosemary inexpensive and widely available, scientists hope this research inspires gentler, regenerative approaches to wound care, especially for people prone to heavy scarring.