Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis

Other Names : Rosmarinus officinalis, Rosmarinus coronarium, compass plant, incensier

• Botanical Name :Rosmarinus officinalis var verbenone : This chemotype is high in ketones.
• Botanical Name :Rosmarinus officinalis var cineole : This chemotype is high in oxides.
• Botanical Name :Rosmarinus officinalis var verbenone : This chemotype is high in ketones as well as monoterpenes. Contains less camphor and is widely regarded as being safer to use within topical applications.

Special Precautions of Rosemary

• Rosemary essential oil should not be taken internally without the supervision of a health professional. Internal use of rosemary essential oil may have toxic effects.
• Young Children : Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary essential oils should be avoided in younger children because they contain a chemical constituent called 1,8- cineol and menthol. Peppermint can cause choking in children and infants due to the menthol. in young children. Peppermint is safe to use at 6+ years, but ALL eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils should be avoided until 10+ years of age.
• High doses of rosemary are contraindicated during pregnancy.
• Rosemary might stimulate menstruation or affect the uterus, causing a miscarriage.
• Rosemary oil may cause skin allergic reaction.
• In toxic doses, rosemary has been found to cause kidney dysfunction, and might exacerbate existing neurological conditions like epilepsy, neuroses, seizure disorders,...
• potentially neurotoxic, depending on the level of camphor present in the oil.
• Not to use on or near the face of infants and children.
• Recommended dermal maximum of 16.5% for Rosemary Camphor and 6.5% for Rosemary Verbenone.

Health Benefits and Uses of Rosemary

This pine-like herb does more than just spice up a roast of beef,

• it offers anti-inflammatory protection to the delicate human brain. Research proves rosemary’s ability to increase blood flow to the head and brain, thereby improving concentration.
• Memory and mood : Rosemary is shown to enhance memory through the herb's culinary use; its extract by means of reducing acetylcholinesterase; and by inhalation of its oil vapors. One interesting study verified that olfactory stimulation of rosemary increased saliva free radical scavenging activity and decreased saliva cortisol levels. A waft of rosemary may even elevate your mood.
• Anxiety : Breathing in the scent of rosemary essential oil may help relieve anxiety, according to a study published in Holistic Nursing Practice in 2009. In an experiment involving a group of nursing students, researchers found that use of sachets containing lavender and rosemary essential oils helped reduce anxiety associated with test-taking.
• Stress : In a 2007 study published in Psychiatry Research, scientists found that inhaling the aroma of rosemary essential oil may help lower stress levels. For the study, 22 healthy volunteers sniffed the aroma of lavender and rosemary essential oils for five minutes. Results revealed that both essential oils caused a decrease in levels of cortisol (a hormone released as part of the body's stress response).
• Nerve pain (sciatica or neuralgia) : Rosemarinus officinalis ct cineole
• Macular Degeneration (AMD) : Carnosic acid doesn’t only protect against retinal damage. Past studies have found it also protects against oxidative stress in the brain.
• In England, rosemary’s memory strengthening ability was translated to mean that it would improve fidelity. As a result it was often given as a gift for the bride or groom as part of their wedding ceremony. Perhaps the gift-giver thought the herb would help the newlywed remember his or her vows.
• Curb cancer : When it comes to cancer, rosemary extract proves promising for colon, stomach, breast, liver, ovary, melanoma, and leukemia. Carnosic acid, derived from rosemary, stimulates cancer cell apoptosis (cell death), and down regulates cancer cell COX-2 expression. It is also is found to be anti-angiogenic, slowing tumor growth and metastasis.
• Alzheimer's Disease : Rosemary essential oil may be of some benefit to people with Alzheimer's disease, according to a small study published in Psychogeriatrics in 2009. In tests on 28 older adults (including 17 Alzheimer's patients), researchers found that one month of aromatherapy involving rosemary, lemon, lavender, and orange essential oils helped enhance cognitive function, especially in participants with Alzheimer's.
• anti-inflammatory : Rosmarinic acid increases the production of prostaglandin E2 (substances that help in contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle, the dilation and constriction of blood vessels, control of blood pressure, and modulation of inflammation) and reduces the production of leukotriene B4 involved in inflammation.
• insect repellent : Rosemary oil or rosemary extract may be natural repellent solutions, with borneol and camphor as the active components. One study that demonstrates rosemary's effectiveness uses approximately 2 tablespoons of freshly minced rosemary leaves to about 1 cup of water. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours and filter out the leaves. Pour the water into a spray bottle and use on the skin as necessary. This cheap, natural alternative was found to provide better protection time and repellency than that of two other natural based brands.
• Rosemary extract may optimize cholesterol levels
• Diabetes : Rosemary modulate blood sugar levels. Researchers found that rosemary extract can affect crucial insulin target tissues in fat, muscle and the liver and directly cause anti-diabetic effects. The carnosic acid in rosemary has significant anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic properties. The review also discovered that rosemary extract had insulin-like effects on insulin target cells, and it shows a strong potential as a means of managing blood glucose levels as well as diabetes.
• help to promote weight loss.
• The ethanol extract can be used topically for pain. The oil is shown to be antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and supportive of wound healing.
• Rosemary oil and extract may also be useful in balding, maintaining youthful looking skin.
• reducing heterocyclic amines when cooking food at high temperatures.
• Carnosic acid, a component found within Rosemary, inhibits HIV-1 protease.

Main Combinations

• Intestinal spasm : Turmeric + Garden Angelica + Rosemary
• Stomach cramps : Garden Angelica + Rosemary

References

Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 407-409.