Rosemary Study Activity for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Rosemary is one of the oldest known herbs and has been used to treat everything from lack of focus to indigestion. Rosemary was first used as an herbal remedy in Roman times when it was thought to be effective against fever and has since been used in many different ways.

Although alternative herbal therapies do not fall within the FDA’s guidelines, many herbalists say that rosemary has health benefits such as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Many of these practitioners also believe that the full spectrum of benefits of Rosemary have not been completely identified as some of its properties are still unknown. 

There has been some promising evidence to support claims made by many people that Rosemary can benefit health and wellbeing. For example, studies are currently being conducted on the efficacy of rosemary in fighting certain cancers. There is also some research indicating that Rosemary has some health benefits that can help with Alzheimer’s Diesease.

The health benefits of Rosemary are thought to extend beyond consumption. Used for its scent, it has been indicated that rosemary could help improve cognition by assisting with focus, memory, and mood. Rosemary has also been used in the treatment of skin irritations such as dermatitis, eczema, and bug bites.

Rosemary Study

Rosemary’s official scientific name is rosmarinus officinalis, and it hails from the mint family. Not only can you smell, feel, and taste raw rosemary, but you can also cook with it for an entirely different sensory experience.

A plant study is an activity that has the ability to engage many of the senses. You can use any edible herb for sensory activities. To fully study a plant, it’s best to use it in every way you can. For instance, the Garden Club here at Stephen’s Place takes turns to smell and feel rosemary from our garden. They have also infused hot water with some sprigs of rosemary to make rosemary tea. 

If you’re a caregiver of someone who has intellectual and developmental disabilities, a Rosemary study could be a great way to spend an afternoon learning something new. To study rosemary, you can start by taking sprigs of it and pass it around to be smelled, felt, and viewed. You can also make tea, use the sprigs to make little trees for arts and crafts, learn about the scientific properties of the herb, or even crush it with a mortar and pestle and use it as ink. It’s such a versatile herb!

As with any herbal remedy, there may be side effects associated with using Rosemary so you should consult with your doctor before trying anything. 

About Stephen’s Place

Stephen’s Place is an independent apartment community for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, located in Vancouver, WA (7 minutes from Portland, OR).

If you have a loved one with developmental or intellectual disabilities, who is looking for a community to live in, please contact us for more information. 

Stephen’s Place is a private-pay apartment community due to our state-of-the-art amenities and programs. We are a nonprofit and do not profit from our community. We are private pay because we spend more than some housing communities to ensure that our residents are comfortable and can safely live their lives with independence and dignity.