Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil is one of the most popular of all the essential oils out there. That is mostly because of the health benefits that it offers and as people have learned more and more about this particular herb, the popularity has grown. Rosemary has been used for thousands of years with records dating back to Roman times for everything from culinary uses to medicinal, just like it is today. Rosemary was a favorite oil used by the ancient Egyptians in ceremonies as well. Today, it is used throughout the Mediterranean in a huge number of culinary dishes. The botanical name of the plant used to create Rosemary essential oil is called Rosmarinus Officinalis, and is a member of the mint family.
How is Rosemary Essential Oil Manufactured?
Like so many other essential oils, Rosemary oil is extracted through the process of steam distillation. The rosemary leaves are the primary source of this oil. There are a few other ways that you can make your own essential oil at home such as soaking the leaves of the plant in some type of carrier oil such as olive oil. However, if you want high-quality essential oil, you’re probably going to have to buy it commercially.
Types of Rosemary Essential Oil
There really is only one plant that Rosemary essential oil is based upon. It is the aforementioned plant Rosmarinus officinalis, but there are different chemotypes with the essential oil. In simple terms, chemotype refers to the differences in the chemical composition of a particular plant, based upon the area that it grows in. This means that two plants from the same genus and species can be markedly different if they are grown in different environments. Aromatherapists often end up choosing a particular chemotype because of personal preference.
How to Use Rosemary Essential Oil
There are a few different ways that you can use Rosemary essential oil. Obviously, aromatherapy is one of the preferred ways for using this particular oil, but using it topically is another popular option. You can mix it with carrier oils such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil and massage it onto areas that you’re trying to treat. You can also diffuse this oil and get the benefits from inhalation. You can ingest Rosemary essential oil if you dilute it first, but only a few drops should be used.
Composition of Rosemary Essential Oil
- a-pinene
- borneol
- b-pinene
- camphor
- bornyl acetate
- camphene-1
- 8-cineole
- limonene
Aromatic Description of Rosemary Essential Oil
You may be wondering what Rosemary essential oil smells like. Many people describe this essential oil is refreshing and cool. It is a stimulating fragrance that revitalizes body and mind and surprisingly, it is a scent that is quite different from the herb itself. It smells much more camphorous than you would expect you and it can easily be combined with other oils to create very pleasing fragrances. Rosemary essential oil can easily be added to carrier oils for massages to combine the healing benefit with the pleasing and beneficial fragrance.
Precautions & Side Effects of Rosemary Essential Oil
There are a few things that you want to keep in mind when it comes to Rosemary essential oil, if you want to be healthy. Although this particular essential oil is extremely safe you still should take precautions with any essential oil that you’re using. You should test a patch of skin before uses topically because it there is a chance of an allergic reaction. As always, you should avoid taking or using essential oils if you are pregnant or nursing and they should never be given to children without direction of your pediatrician. In addition, many essential oils are toxic to cats so keep them out of reach of pets.
Attributes of Rosemary Essential Oil
Attribute | X | Definition |
analgesic | X | Reduces pain in muscles and joints |
anti-arthritic | Reduces arthritis symptoms | |
anti-infectious | X | Prevents infection |
anti-inflammatory | Reduces inflammation | |
antibiotic | Keeps biotic infections from developing | |
antidepressant | X | Helps to alleviate depression |
antiemetic | Prevents nausea and vomiting | |
anti-galactogogue | Reduces milk supply in the body | |
antifungal | Kills harmful fungal life forms | |
antimicrobial | Kills microbial life forms that cause disease | |
anti-neuralgic | Counteracts nerve pain | |
anti-rheumatic | Counteracts pain from rheumatism | |
antiseborrhoeic | Keeps the body from making an unhealthy amount of sebum | |
antiseptic | X | Prevents growth of organisms which cause disease |
antispasmodic | Prevents spasms from occurring | |
antiviral | Kills viral agents | |
aperient | Relieves constipation | |
aphrodisiac | Increases sexual desires | |
astringent | Causes skin tissue to contract – to counter lines and wrinkles | |
bactericidal | Kills bacterial agents | |
carminative | X | Prevents formation of gas in the GI tract |
cholagogue | Assists with the discharge of bile | |
cicatrisant | Assists in the formation of healthy scar tissue | |
circulatory | X | Promotes healthy circulatory system function |
diaphoretic | Induces perspiration | |
decongestant | Reduces or eliminates congestions of nasal cavities | |
deodorant | Eliminates and prevents body odor | |
depurative | Helps to detoxify the body | |
Digestive | Helps with the digestion of food | |
diuretic | Removes excess water from the body | |
expectorant | Loosens mucous and helps clear it from the body | |
emenagogue | Promotes healthy menstrual discharge | |
febrifuge | Aids in the reduction of fever | |
hepatic | X | Promotes healthy liver function |
hypotensive | Helps to lower blood pressure | |
Insecticide | Kills certain types of insects or pests | |
muscle relaxant | Relaxes tight muscles and prevents muscle spasms | |
nervine | Reduces anxiety and calms the nerves | |
sedative | Aids in calming or induces sleepiness | |
stimulant | X | Increases physiological or nervous system activity |
stomachic | Aids in a healthy appetite or digestion | |
sudorific | Promotes or aids in activation of sweat glands | |
tonic | X | Tones the skin or muscles |
vermifuge | Kills parasitic worms | |
vulnerary | Promotes rapid healing of wounds |
What is Rosemary Essential Oil Used For?
Rosemary essential oil is quite beneficial and there are a lot of medical benefits that you get when you use Rosemary. In fact, many medications today contain rosemary oil, both alternative and conventional. The first major benefit of Rosemary is that it is used for indigestion and all sorts of gastrointestinal problems. It can treat dyspepsia, promote healthy release of bile, stimulate blood flow, promote nutrient absorption and relieve stomach cramps caused by gas, as well as relieve flatulence, constipation and more. Rosemary essential oil is also an effective pain reliever and it is often used to treat headaches or other pain caused by inflammation, as well as rheumatoid arthritis and muscle pain.
Rosemary essential oil is also really great at skin care and making your hair healthy. Rosemary is found in many different lotions and shampoos because of the fact that it stimulates hair follicles and strengthens it as well as helping to reduce signs of aging like hair loss and gray hair. It is also a great essential oil from the scalp and can be an effective treatment for dandruff. In addition, the disinfectant properties of Rosemary essential oil make it the perfect oil to be used with some type of carrier oil appropriate for mouthwash. This combination can help to eliminate halitosis and keep teeth and gums healthy, preventing gingivitis and cavities.
In addition, Rosemary essential oil is fairly unique among oils because it helps to boost energy levels, increase brainpower, helping to improve memory and much more. There are a lot of mental benefits that come with using Rosemary essential oil and it is used in colleges and universities all over the country and throughout the world. In fact, there have actually been research studies conducted on the effectiveness of Rosemary essential oil on studying and focus and it was found to have significant results on cognitive function. Rosemary essential oil is also a great stress reliever and it can reduce anxiety. Finally, Rosemary essential oil can protect against many sexually transmitted diseases including herpes. It is also been shown to be helpful with respiratory problems.
Recommended Combinations Involving Rosemary Essential Oil
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- clary sage
- Cedarwood
- Basil
- Thyme
- Citronella
- Lemongrass
- Elemi
- Geranium
- Chamomile
- Peppermint
- cardamom
The Final Word on Rosemary Essential Oil
When it comes to essential oils, you want something that has terrific overall health benefits but you also want to make sure that the essential oils that you are choosing have something unique to offer. That is exactly why Rosemary essential oil it such an important one to have in your alternative health arsenal. Rosemary essential oil has a number of unique benefits that nothing else out there has and it is a very effective aromatherapy tool and something that everyone who cares about good health should be using regularly.