1. Short description
Rosemary, also known as Rosmarinus Officinalis, is very popular in the Mediterranean region as a culinary herb. Many dishes are cooked with rosemary oil and freshly plucked rosemary leaves.
2. Long description
Rosemary has been extensively used since ancient times for a variety of purposes. The Romans gave special importance to rosemary plant and used it in religious ceremonies. Its use extended to wedding ceremonies, food, cosmetics, and herbal care. Rosemary plant and its extract were also used in the ancient Egyptian civilization as incense.
Rosemary essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis, and over 68 pounds of leaf material is needed to create one pound of pure Rosemary essential oil.
- Scent: Rosemary essential oil has a fresh, piercing scent that is mildly pine-like but sweeter.
- Color and Body Grade: Rosemary is a clear essential oil that has middle note properties making it an essential oil that blends very well with others.
- Essential Oil Chemical Content: The main essential oil constituents of rosemary essential oil are: pinene, cineol, camphor, camphene, bornyl acetate, borneol and verbenon.
Properties
Rosemary essential oil has an overall stimulating and invigorating effect that works on both mental and physical levels.
Origin
it is a shrubby evergreen bush that grows up to 1.5 meters (4 feet) high with green-gray needle-shaped leaves and pale blue/lilac flowers that bees just love and is originally from Asia, but is now cultivated in France, Tunisia and Yugoslavia.
The name is derived from the Latin 'Rosmarinus' or 'sea dew', as it is rather fond of water. The Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks and Romans considered the herb as sacred and even in the Middle Ages it was used to ward off evils spirits and used as a protection against the plague. It was burnt in French hospitals during epidemics.
Extraction
Rosemary oil is extracted from the fresh flowering tops by steam distillation. It yields 1.0 - 2.0 %.
Chemical composition
The main chemical components of rosemary oil are: a-pinene, borneol, b-pinene, camphor, bornyl acetate, camphene, 1,8-cineole and limonene.
Precautions
Rosemary oil should not be used during pregnancy and is unsuitable for people with epilepsy or high blood pressure.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of rosemary oil are: analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic.
Uses
Rosemary oil has a pronounced action on the brain and the central nervous system and is wonderful for clearing the mind and mental awareness, while having excellent brain stimulant properties, as well as improving memory.
It helps with headaches, migraines, neuralgia, mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion and the antiseptic action of rosemary oil is especially suitable for intestinal infections and diarrhea, easing colitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, hepatic disorders and jaundice and relieving pain associated with rheumatism, arthritis, muscular pain and gout. It also helps for arteriosclerosis, palpitations, poor circulation and varicose veins.
The diuretic properties of rosemary oil are useful with reducing water retention during menstruation, and also with obesity and cellulite.
On the respiratory system, it is effective for asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, sinus and whooping cough. Because of its astringent action, it is also effective for countering sagging skin. Its stimulating action benefits scalp disorders and encourages hair growth.
On the skin, it helps to ease congestion, puffiness and swelling and can also be used for acne, dermatitis and eczema, but a very popular use of this oil is the use in hair care products, as it has a pronounced positive effect on the health of the hair and scalp. It increases the circulation to the scalp and is therefore also effective for promoting hair growth.
Physical Benefits and Effects
- Muscle Relief, Aches and Pains - Increasing circulation can help relieve excess muscle tension.
- Hair Care and Dandruff Control - Rosemary's stimulating effect helps control dandruff and boost shine.
- Cough and Cold Symptoms - Several compounds in rosemary essential oil help alleviate cold symptoms and loosen chest congestion.
- Adrenal Gland Stimulation - Rosemary has strong effects on the adrenal and other glands of the body.
- Room Freshener - The anti-parasitical, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties of rosemary make it a popular choice for room diffusers to control mold and uplift spirits.
Mental/Psyche Effects
- Increasing Memorization - Recent studies of Harvard college students proved that using aromas during study time increased the student's ability to memorize key facts and concepts and increased test performances.
- Mental Concentration and Stimulation - Rosemary helps boost recall and mental clarity by working directly on the central nervous system.
- Decreases Fatigue and Mild Depression - Fatigue and depression brought on by weariness or feeling "run down" are relieved by the stimulating and energizing effects of rosemary essential oil.
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