There are many uses for the herb rosemary. Chefs may use it to add flavor to their dishes, while others simply grow it in their garden because they like the look of its purple, pink, blue or white flowers. Based on new research, rosemary may serve another purpose – boosting IQ.

Researchers from Northumbria University’s Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre set out to see what effect rosemary had on cognitive performance through a recent experiment. Their findings, which appear in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, reveal that the herb is indeed linked to improved neurological performance.

A total of 20 subjects were exposed to different levels of rosemary aroma, and then had their blood tested to see how much 1,8-cineole, an herb component, they had absorbed into their blood. Those who took in higher amounts saw improvements in mental speed and accuracy.

Due to these findings, individuals who use rosemary in their cooking or grow the herbs may want to take an IQ test to see if there have been any changes to their cognitive abilities.