Rosemary Essential Oil Profile
Properties, Characteristics and Uses of Rosemary EO in Aromatherapy
Dec 1, 2007
Essential Oil Botonicals: 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.
Rosemary Properties: Rosemary essential oil has an overall stimulating and invigorating effect that works on both mental and physical levels.
Rosemary 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.
Rosemary 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.
Therapeutic Essential Oil Combinations: Rosemary essential oils combine well with mint, bergamot, lavender, basil, lemon, eucalyptus, and clary sage.
Precautions for Using Rosemary: Rosemary essential oil has a stimulating effect on the body so care should be taken with epileptics. Heavy overuse could result in nervous twitches or muscle spasms. While there are warnings about use during pregnancy there is little empirical evidence of these dangers and the warnings stem from effectsof one of the hundreds of chemical compounds in the oil. If there is concern about using essential oils contact a health care practitioner trained in their use.
A word about essential oils: All essential oils are highly concentrated and very few are suitable for undiluted (neat) use on the skin. Only the highest quality essential oils should be used. Dilute essential oils in carrier oils such as olive, apricot kernel, jojoba, or other natural oils; put a few drops in a cup of Epsom salts and dissolve in a bath tub of water or use a few drops in a diffuser, vaporizer or humidifier. Please consult your health care professional with any questions or concerns about your natural health care program.
Sources:
- Tappan's Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques by Tappan and Benjamin. 4th Edition.
- Aromatherapy Massageby Clare Maxwell-Hudson
- Aromatherapy: Scent and Psyche by Peter and Kate Damian
- Aromatherapy for Health Professionals by Len Price and Shirley Price
