The beneficial effects of rosemary are used internally against digestive problems and externally against rheumatism and circulatory problems. Read more about rosemary and rosemary essential oil, its action, application and side effects.
The traditional use of rosemary is medically recognized for the following ailments:
Dyspeptic symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, gas, and bloating (for internal use)
For supportive care, rheumatic disorders and circulation problems (external use).
Medicinal active substances are found in rosemary leaves essential oil (with the main components 1,8-cineole, camphor, terpineol, and α-pinene) as well as other ingredients such as tannins (such as rosemary acid), diterpene phenols (such as rosmanol), and flavonoids. Overall, the medicinal plant shows the following effects:
- antispasmodic
- stimulation of bile flow (cholagogue, choleretic)
- effective against liver toxins (anti-hepatotoxic)
- effective against ulcers (antiulcerogenic)
- stimulates blood circulation
Weak antimicrobial and antiviral effects (directed against microorganisms and viruses) have also been described.
In empirical medicine, rosemary is also recommended for various female ailments such as whitish discharge (fluorine albus), nervous symptoms, menopause, and menstrual cramps. It should also help with poor memory, headaches, migraines (internal use), sciatica, poorly healing wounds, and bruises (external use). Also, rosemary is sometimes said to work against sexual aversion in women.
How is rosemary used?
Dried leaves (rosemary folium), essential oil obtained from them and various ready-made preparations are used.
Rosemary as a home remedy
Rosemary tea: pour a teaspoon of dried leaves with a cup of boiling water, cover, and let stand for ten minutes, then strain the plant parts. You can make such a cup of rosemary tea several times a day. Use a daily dose of four to six grams of leaves.
For rheumatic pains in muscles or soft tissues, as well as problems with circulation, a bath with rosemary is recommended twice a week: for that, you can pour 50 grams of leaves with one liter of water, boil briefly, let it stand for 15 to 20 minutes, strain and add in bathing water.
Home remedies have their limitations. If symptoms persist for a long time and do not get better or worse despite treatment, always consult a doctor.
Rosemary in aromatherapy
The following formulas apply to healthy adults unless otherwise indicated. In children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly, and people with certain underlying diseases (such as asthma, epilepsy), the dosage often has to be reduced, or some essential oils have to be eliminated. Therefore, discuss the use of essential oils in such groups of patients first with an aromatherapist (e.g., a physician or alternative physician).
When rosemary oil is used, aromatherapy differs from which so-called chemotype oil is obtained: Depending on the location and climatic conditions, rosemary plants grow in different variants, which differ slightly in terms of the composition of ingredients, and thus their effects. The most common of these chemotypes is the rosemary (CT) form of 1,8-cineole. This type has a strong stimulating effect, speeds up blood circulation, and relieves pain.
Therefore, this form of rosemary is suitable, for example, to support low blood pressure. A fragrant bottle with rosemary oil and other essential oils is recommended here as a quick help for everyday life: five drops of rosemary CT cineole, four drops of bergamot, and six drops of lime are placed in a clean 5 ml amber glass bottle. Smelling this stimulant mixture can help you if you feel weak due to low blood pressure.
Shower salt with rosemary oil can also start the circulation with low blood pressure: Pour 200 grams of fine sea salt into a clean jar and add a tablespoon of sesame oil. Now come the essential oils: ten drops of lime-centric oil, eight drops of rosemary CT cineole, and two drops of silver fir oil. Mix everything well. You can rub damp skin with a teaspoon of this shower salt before taking a shower. Keep in mind that sesame oil can make a bathtub slippery!
Use 30 milliliters of St. John’s wort as a fatty base oil for a massage oil that speeds up blood circulation for muscle pain. Add the following essential oils to the base: ten drops of pine and five drops of juniper berries, eucalyptus radiata, and CT cineole rosemary. You can rub sore muscles with this mixture several times a day.
Finished preparations with rosemary
Various ready-made preparations are available, for example, cardiovascular tea mixtures with rosemary leaves and other medicinal plants and ointments, creams, massage oils, and oil baths based on rosemary or rosemary oil. Use these preparations by the instructions provided or as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.
What side effects can rosemary cause?
Allergic reactions to rosemary are known as possible side effects.
What to look out for when using rosemary
In case of liver disease and biliary tract problems (such as gallstones, bile duct obstruction, gallbladder inflammation), you should use rosemary and rosemary oil only under medical supervision.
Do not use rosemary for bathing if you have major skin injuries, open wounds, fever, acute inflammation, severe infections, or severe cardiovascular disease (such as high blood pressure or heart failure).
Rosemary should not be used during pregnancy. As a precaution, ask your doctor or pharmacist before use during breastfeeding and in young children.
The following applies to rosemary oil and other essential oils: Use only 100 percent natural essential oils – preferably those obtained from organic plants or wild specimens of the plant.
Before using rosemary oil (and other essential oils), you should always check the tolerance with a test’s help: Put a drop of essential oil on your hand and rub it gently. If the affected area of skin turns red, it starts to itch. In the next few hours, you can not tolerate the oil. Then you shouldn’t use it!
Avoid applying an essential oil to the eyes, mucous membranes, or irritated skin.
How to get rosemary and its products
Dried rosemary leaves, rosemary oil, and various ready-made preparations such as baths, ointments, or creams based on medicinal herbs are available in pharmacies and many drugstores. Always use it according to the instructions or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
You can also collect rosemary leaves yourself, dry them and use them to make tea (alone or in combination with other herbs).
Interesting facts about rosemary
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a magnificent plant, up to one meter tall and an aromatically fragrant, evergreen shrub from the mint family (Lamiaceae). It grows in sunny, warm locations throughout the Mediterranean. In our country, medicinal and aromatic plants are often grown in pots.
The plant’s aromatic scent exudes coniferous leathery leaves with a shiny surface, especially when rubbed between the fingers. The typical scent comes from the essential oil (rosemary oil). The leaves grow close on very branched, bulky stems. From May to June, this plant releases flowers from light blue to light purple.
The Latin name of the rosemary species (Officinalis) comes from the old term “Offizin,” a pharmacy salesroom. This indicates that rosemary has long been valued as a medicinal plant.
