Rosemary, Rosmarinus Officinals

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis

warm, dry, tonifying

Taste: pungent, aromatic, slightly bitter, resinous, astringent

Family: Lamiaceae

Medicinal parts: aerial parts; leaves and flowers

Actions: nervine, circulatory stimulant, cardiac tonic, digestive, hepatic, choleretic,

alterative, antimicrobial, diuretic, expectorant, antidepressant, 

Affinities: circulatory and digestive systems

Notable constituents: volatiles (borneol, camphor, carvacrol, cineole, fenchol,

humulene, limonene, sabinene, pinene, terpinene, thujone, thymol)

Medicinal Applications

• Rosemarys potent aromatic profile contains a variety of volatile oils, each with its own medicinal properties. Pinene and Borneol are dominant components of this profile. Pinene has exhibited antitumor, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. Research also demonstrates that Pinene could improve and repair memory. Borneol has been cultivated in Chinese medicine for thousands of years for its neuroprotective properties and for preventing and treating strokes. 

• Rosemary oil is mood boosting and uplifting with antidepressant and antianxiety properties. The compounds that compose rosemarys essential oil, carnosol, urusolic acid, betulinci acid and 1,8-cineole, have demonstrated significant antidepressant results. In addition, one of rosemary's aromatic oils, limonene, is a natural antidepressant and research demonstrates that it has a profound impact on reducing anxiety. 

• Rosemary has cognitive enhancing properties that are particularly helpful for an aging brain. Oxidative stress is thought to harm memory and age the brain, contributing to diseases like Alzheimer's. Rosemary extracts contain antioxidant ingredients that help heal damaged cells from oxidative stress. A 2016 study demonstrated that 90 days of an antioxidant rosemary extract repaired memory recall and learning. 

• Rosemary is a cardiac tonic, stimulating the circulatory system and moving blood upward and towards the extremities. This increased circulation helps bring oxygen to nervous tissue. This circulatory action is the mechanism that makes rosemary oil an effective topical for relieving muscular pain. Research indicates that rosemary's circulatory and stimulating properties can support hair growth. Rosemary can be considered an alternative herb because it promotes overall vitality and health with its circulatory action.

• Research demonstrates that rosemary and its constituents may have anticancer effects. Two of its known anticancer mechanisms are apoptosis and inhibition of tumor formation.

• Rosemary is known to have hepatoprotective and choleretic properties, toning and strengthening the liver. This mechanism could be related to rosemarys antioxidant properties. 

• Rosemary is a digestive herb, it stimulates digestive juices and relaxes the muscles of the intestine. Rosemary is particularly supportive in cases where poor digestion causes headaches.

• Rosemary is a diuretic herb. Rosemary’s circulatory properties support moving stagnant fluids upward and to the extremities of the body, this action also increases urine. 

In Practice

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• Rosemary’s essential oil has potent antimicrobial properties. Research shows that rosemary’s constituents, rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and carnoso, have antibacterial effects. For an effective cleaning method, try diluting rosemary essential oil in water to make an aromatic cleaning spray. 

• The most effective method of applying rosemary's volatile oils is a steam because it directly contacts tissue. A rosemary steam is an effective preventative method for cold and flu season as well as fighting off daily pathogens . The volatile oils in rosemary stimulate immune responders supporting the body to fight off viruses . For cold and flu, treat with rosemary steam at least twice a day. It's important to keep in mind that rosemary is warming and it is preferable to treat a cold and stagnant condition with rosemary. I recently came down with covid and I experimented with implementing a rosemary steam twice daily for five days and it provided potent relief from headaches and respiratory discomfort. Try adding dried rosemary to a steam for relief from cold and flu. 

• Steam applications of rosemary are helpful relief from tension headaches as rosemary promotes blood flow and circulation. Rosemary can be a supportive herb for constrictive, dull and draining headaches. Try adding rosemary in a steam or an antispasmodic headache formula for relief from tension headaches.

• There has been research demonstrating that rosemary essential oil extracts can support hair growth by stimulating follicles and increasing circulation in the scalp when topically applied. For new hair growth, add rosemary essential oil into your routine. It is suitable to add into a scalp oiling routine, dilute 5 drops into your 10ml of carrier oil of your choice or dilute a few drops into your shampoo and conditioner bottle. 

• Steam applications of rosemary are antimicrobial and an effective method for treating acne. Steam once or twice a day with dried rosemary to relieve acne.

• Rosemary is a crucial ingredient in herbal remedies like fire cider and thieves vinegar because it is aromatic, antimicrobial and an expectorant. Consider adding rosemary to a cold and flu syrup, it is most suitable for stagnant and cold conditions. 

• Rosemary is aromatic and antimicrobial, making it suitable to add to a dried herb bundle for performing a smoke cleanse. Incense and smoke bundles have been traditionally used for reducing pathogens in the air and preventing sickness. Try a smoke cleanse with rosemary or add it to a fire to benefit from its antimicrobial and aromatic properties. 

Folklore, Traditions and History

• The etymology of rosmarinus comes from latin for “dew of the sea” which is fitting as it often grows near the sea and blooms light blue flowers.   Rosemary was a symbol of the love cult of aphrodite in ancient Greece and the meaning “dew of the sea” could also be a description for the goddess. 

• Scientific research demonstrates rosemary's support for brain health and memory but it has also traditionally been associated with remembrance. Famously in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia mentions, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance,”.

• In some European cultures it was a practice to carry rosemary in weddings as a symbol for love. 

• Historically smoke cleanses with rosemary have been a popular way to purify the air, many believing it would ward off evil spirits and sickness.  Research now shows that rosemary does have many antimicrobial properties that decrease pathogens in the air. It is an old French custom to cleanse the air with a blend of rosemary and juniper and the ancient Greeks made smoke bundles of rosemary to cask away sickness and evil. There are also traditions where it is believed to stop nightmares if one places a fresh twig of rosemary under their pillow. 

• Rosemary has also been seen as a symbol of grief and has been used symbolically in funerals. There are traditions where the guests hold twigs of fresh rosemary and leave them on top of the casket. 

• Rosemary has been associated with the Virgin Mary, perhaps because of the rosemary's blue flowers and European traditions of painting the Virgin Mary in a blue robe. Rosemary's name in Spanish means  “pilgrims flower” because of a story where the Virgin Mary hid in a rosemary bush on her flight to Egypt. 

• In pagan witchcraft rosemary's correspondence are the sun, air and fire. The sun relates to rosemary being a full sun plant but also having a bold flavor and prominent aromatic profile. In this tradition, fire is often related to purification and air is often associated as wisdom, fitting for a plant with antimicrobial actions and properties that support brain health and memory. 

Cautions:

Rosemary is warming and drying and it is best suited for stagnant and cold conditions

Plant alleys : sage, damiana, ginkgo, gotu kola, yarrow, st. john's wort

This is for research purposes and should not be taken as medical advice.

Works Cited

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Asada, H., et al. “Limonene Has Anti-Anxiety Activity via Adenosine A2A Receptor-Mediated Regulation of Dopaminergic and GABAergic Neuronal Function in the Striatum.” Phytomedicine, Urban & Fischer, 21 Jan. 2021, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711321000167#:~:text=Our%20results%20suggest%20that%20limonene,DAergic%20and%20GABAergic%20neuronal%20activity. 

Creightmore, Richard, and Jewels Rocka. “Elemental and Magical Associations of Plants.” Land and Spirit , Land and Spirit, www.landandspirit.net/html/elemental_properties_of_herbs.html. Accessed 24 Jan. 2024.

De Macedo, Lucas Malvezzi, et al. “Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L., Syn Salvia Rosmarinus Spenn.) and Its Topical Applications: A Review.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 21 May 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7284349/. 

Gruben, Michelle. “Magickal Properties of Rosemary.” Grove and Grotto, Grove and Grotto, 11 Nov. 2016, www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/magickal-properties-of-rosemary. 

Hashemi, Paria, and Shamseddin Ahmadi. “Alpha-Pinene Moderates Memory Impairment Induced by Kainic Acid via Improving the BDNF/Trkb/CREB Signaling Pathway in Rat Hippocampus.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 9 June 2023, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2023.1202232/full.

Hilal, Donia. “Rosemary Oil for Hair: Benefits & Uses: Holland & Barrett.” Rosemary Oil For Hair: Benefits & Uses | Holland & Barrett, Holland & Barrett, 21 Aug. 2023, www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/natural-beauty/aromatherapy/rosemary-oil-uses-and-benefits/#:~:text=They%27re%20called%20carrier%20oils,fingertips%20or%20a%20scalp%20massager. 

Lorigooini, Zahra, et al. “Limonene through Attenuation of Neuroinflammation and Nitrite Level Exerts Antidepressant-Like Effect on Mouse Model of Maternal Separation Stress.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 29 Jan. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7864762/. 

Ma, Rong, et al. “L-Borneol Exerted the Neuroprotective Effect by Promoting Angiogenesis Coupled with Neurogenesis via ANG1-VEGF-BDNF Pathway.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 25 Jan. 2021, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.641894/full. 

Mena, Pedro, et al. “Phytochemical Profiling of Flavonoids, Phenolic Acids, Terpenoids, and Volatile Fraction of a Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.) Extract.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 19 Nov. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6273513/#B11-molecules-21-01576.

Oliveira, Jonatas Rafael de, et al. “Rosmarinus Officinalis L. (Rosemary) as Therapeutic and Prophylactic Agent - Journal of Biomedical Science.” BioMed Central, BioMed Central, 9 Jan. 2019, jbiomedsci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12929-019-0499-8. 

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Salehi, Bahare, et al. “Therapeutic Potential of α- and β-Pinene: A Miracle Gift of Nature.” PubMed Central, National Center for Biotechnology Information, The National Library of Medicine , PubMed Central, 14 Nov. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6920849/. 

Sayorwan, Winai, et al. “Effects of Inhaled Rosemary Oil on Subjective Feelings and Activities of the Nervous System.” Scientia Pharmaceutica, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 23 Dec. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3700080/. 

Swift, Katja, and Ryn Midura. “Herbal Actions Glossary” Accessed 10 Jan. 2024. https://online.commonwealthherbs.com/courses/take/materia-medica/pdfs/15818248-herbal-actions-glossary

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Ulbricht, C, et al. “An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.” Journal of Dietary Supplements, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 Dec. 2010, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22432564/.