Analysis of the use of rosemary for cortisol levels and sleep quality among nursing professionals

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of 1 g of dry rosemary extract on sleep quality and hair cortisol concentration in emergency nursing professionals. Method: Intervention, quasi-experimental, before-and-after study, carried out between September and November 2022 with nursing professionals from a hospital emergency room and an Emergency Room in Rio Grande do Sul. A sociodemographic/occupational questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and hair samples were used. The intervention involved taking 500 mg capsules of dry rosemary extract twice a day for 56 days. Descriptive and analytical analysis, with association and correlation tests (p < 0.05) were used. Results: Thirty-five workers participated. Poor sleep quality and high levels of hair cortisol concentration predominated. The intervention significantly improved sleep (p = 0.039), without reducing cortisol levels. Conclusion: The rosemary intervention improved sleep quality, but was not sufficient to reduce hair cortisol concentrations, with other strategies that contribute to the worker’s health being required.