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Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis

Benefits | Preparation | Medicinal Uses | Side Effects | Plant | Folklore | Buy Bulk |


Common Names
Rosemary ,
Botanical Name
Rosmarinus officinalis
Family
LAMIACEAE or LABIATAE Mint Family
Rosemary Medicinal Properties & Benefits
Common Uses: Aches & Pains * Anxiety/Panic * Aromatherapy Air Fresheners * Arthritis * Asthma * Botanical Hair Care * Brain/Memory/Focus * Bronchitis * Cellulite Reduction * Cholesterol Control * Chronic Fatigue * Colds * Culinary * Dysmenorrhea * Facial and Skin care * Gout * Heart Tonics/Cordials * IBS * Insect Repellent * Lungs/Respiratory * Lupus * Scabies/Lice *
Properties: Antispasmodic* Astringent* Carminative* Cephalic* Cisatrisant* Cardic tonic Cordial* Digestive* Diuretic* Emmenagogue* Hepatic* Hypertensive* Nervine* Rubefacient* Stimulant* Stomachic* Diaphoretic* Skin tonic* Vermifuge* Analgesic* Antirheumatic* Muscle Relaxant* Repels Insects* COX-2 Inhibitor* Circulation* Antioxidant* AntiViral*
Parts Used: Leaves, stems and flowers
Constituents:Volatile oils: cineole and borneol, camphor, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, salicylates

Rosemary is an extremely useful herb, with many culinary, medicinal and aromatherapy attributes. Rosemary stimulates the central nervous system and circulation making it beneficial for low blood pressure and sluggishness. The essential oil can be diluted for topical use to alleviate the pain of sprains, arthritis, sciatica and neuralgia.

annie Every good kitchen witch has a rosemary bush outside her door. I use this amazing herb in some form almost every day. A few drops of rosemary essential oil on my hairbrush, rosemary vinegar on my salad, rosemary infused oil to massage my sore shoulders after digging in the garden - the fresh, uplifting scent of rosemary is a constant friend.

How to Use: Rosemary
Preparation Methods :infusions, oil infusions, essential oil, fresh and dried herb, tincture
remedyRemedies using : Rosemary
Certified Organic Rosemary essential oil
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Certified Organic Rosemary Leaf
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Certified Organic Rosemary Herbal Oil
This versatile oil has many uses; as a rub for muscular pain, gout, rheumatism and it is excellent for scalp problems like dandruff and itchiness.
buyOrganic Rosemary Herbal Oil

Contains certified organic Rosemary leaf infused in certified organic Olive Oil with a pinch of Vitamin E oil

Certified Organic Rosemary hydrosol
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Certified Organic Aromatherapy Oils: 100% pure steam distilled plant oils with an unsurpassable fragrance, exceptional depth, magnificent keynote.
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Essential Oils and Carrier Oils
aromatherapy Both a physical and mental stimulant, it enhances a morning bath, and being also excellent in the treatment of sore muscles it is the perfect oil for the evening bath too. The oil is considered a mental stimulant and is wonderful for long hours of study and mental fatigue, and keeping alert at work. It adds a warm and stimulating quality to blends and is indicated in formulas where a circulatory tonic is needed.
Quick Tips
Apply a compress of Rosemary to relieve sore muscles, stiff joints, and rheumatic pains.
Diffuse rosemary essential oil in your workspace to maintain your focus, and try a cup of rosemary tea instead of coffee to perk up.
For sluggishness try a brisk rosemary rubdown in the shower. Add 2 to 3 drops to a washcloth along with shower gel and massage over the body.
referencesRosemary Medicinal Uses & Benefits
Asthma and allergies
This common culinary herb has been used traditionally to ease asthma. Rosemary's essential oils can block the airway constriction induced by histamine, the chemical culprit of both asthma and allergies.

Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Cancer prevention
Laboratory studies suggest that rosemary contains compounds that prevent carcinogenic chemicals from binding to and inducing mutations in DNA.
Poor memory
Called "the herb of remembrance" ,rosemary has a long history as a memory-enhancing herb. I think rosemary shampoo, rosemary tea and rosemary in the bathwater would have anti-Alzheimer's activity similar to that of tacrine or huperzine due to it's potent antioxidant, rosemarinic acid. Rosemary also contains a half-dozen compounds that are reported to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain, which reportedly slows progression of the disease.

James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Hair Tonic
Rosemary is the queen of the herbal hair tonics. Brings out the warmth of darker-colored hair. Rosemary is also known for its ability to stimulate the scalp. A few drops of essential oil of rosemary can quickly condition dry, fly away hair.
Cellulite, Liver, water retention
Rosemary essential oil helps alleviate water retention increases circulation when used in massage blends. Rosemary herb is also useful in promoting the flow of bile which clears liver congestion and jump starts the metabolism.
Depression, sluggishness
Rosemary is beneficial for low blood pressure, or when a person has cold extremities, is sluggish, and is in a deficient condition. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia lists rosemary as a specific for depressive states with general debility and cardiovascular weakness.

Marlene Ericksen, Healing with Aromatherapy (2000)

Muscle, joint pain, circulation
Applied topically, rosemary oil relieves the pain of aching muscles and joints. It is a warming and stimulating circulatory tonic.

Marlene Ericksen, Healing with Aromatherapy (2000)

Uterine spasms,menstrual cramps
Antioxidant compounds in rosemary prevent uterine spasms and menstrual cramps - use either rosemary infused oil, or the essential oil in massages and baths
Side Effects:
Do not use in excessive doseage. Avoid in cases of epilepsy. Chemotype verbenone should not be used in children or pregnant women.
Plant Description

Koehler's Medicinal-Plants 1887
Koehler's Medicinal-Plants 1887

Rosemary originated in the Mediterranean, and now is grown worldwide. The plant is shrublike and bushy with small, blue flowers, the whole plant is strongly aromatic. The essential oil is distilled from the fresh flowering tops and the upper part of the herb.

Folklore, Myths and Legends
History and Traditions
history Rosemary was an essential part of the apothecary's repertoire during the Renaissance. The French regarding it as a cure-all, Hippocrates, Galen, and Dioscorides all prescribed rosemary for liver problems. Walji, H.Ph.D.,126
Astrology:
folkloreThe Sun claims dominion over it. It helps a weak memory, and quickens the senses. The leaves are used much in bathings and made into ointments or oil are god to help cold benumbed joints, sinews, or members. Nicholas Culpeper
folkloreGreek students would braid Rosemary into their hair to help them with their exams. Also known as the herb of remembrance, it was placed on the graves of English heroes.
References:
(1)Tillford, "Herbs for Pets", 205-207
mountain rose herbs

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Certified Organic Rosemary essential oil
buyOrganic Rosemary essential oil

Certified Organic Rosemary Leaf
buyOrganic Rosemary Leaf

Certified Organic Rosemary Herbal Oil
This versatile oil has many uses; as a rub for muscular pain, gout, rheumatism and it is excellent for scalp problems like dandruff and itchiness.
buyOrganic Rosemary Herbal Oil

Contains certified organic Rosemary leaf infused in certified organic Olive Oil with a pinch of Vitamin E oil

Certified Organic Rosemary hydrosol
buyOrganic Rosemary hydrosol

Certified Organic Aromatherapy Oils: 100% pure steam distilled plant oils with an unsurpassable fragrance, exceptional depth, magnificent keynote.