Actually, Rosemary

More than just a kitchen herb

Herbs & Essential Oils

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Think you know rosemary? Think again! Best known as a food seasoning, Rosemary is a herb with a rich history of medicinal benefits, promoting hair growth, alleviating muscle pain as well as increasing blood flow and circulation.

Enter into the world of rosemary and discover how this humble herb can enhance your health and well-being in ways you never imagined!

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A Rich History

Rosemary has been used for medicine, cooking, and religious rituals for a very long time. In ancient Greece, people burned Rosemary on their shrines when they couldn’t get incense, earning it the nickname “incense bush.”

Romans also thought it was sacred, and it’s even been found in Egyptian tombs. Its strong, penetrating smell is similar to Frankincense.

During the Middle Ages, people burned rosemary to chase away evil spirits and to disinfect sickrooms. This practice continued in French hospitals well into the 20th century, proving what modern research has validated in demonstrating Rosemary has antiseptic properties.

Known by its scientific name Rosmarinus Officinalis, is a powerhouse plant in the aromatherapy world. Second only to lavender in its popularity this plant has silver-green, needle-like leaves and light blue flowers, growing all over Europe, especially near the sea.

Its name comes from Latin words meaning “dew of the sea,” because it is also common wild plant of the Mediterranean hillsides, growing as far north as southern England. There’s even a legend that says its flowers turned blue when the Virgin Mary hung her cloak on a rosemary bush during the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt.

Plant Information

Plant/Part: Herb/Flowering Tops and Leaves
Source: France, Mediterranean, Tunisia

Latin Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Extraction Method: Distillation

Aroma: Strong, clear, and penetrating with a refreshing herbal fragrance.

Chemical Constituents

Borneol, Camphene, Camphor, Cineol, Linalool, Pinene, Terpineol.

Blends Well With

Lavender, Citronella, Thyme, Basil, Peppermint, Labdanum, Elemi, Cedarwood, Petitgrain, and Cinnamon.

Precautions

Avoid using rosemary essential oil if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, or suffer from epilepsy. It may also cause skin irritation.

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In Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” Ophelia mentions rosemary as a symbol of remembrance.

Health Benefits

Rosemary is great for the heart, liver, and gallbladder and can help lower cholesterol. It’s especially beneficial for middle-aged people, but it’s important to also consider diet and lifestyle. The strong aroma of rosemary makes it useful for respiratory problems like colds, sinusitis, and asthma. It’s best used as a steam inhalation to clear both physical and mental congestion.

Digestive Benefits

Rosemary essential oil is a powerful aid for digestive health. Its properties stimulate the production of gastric juices (carminative) and bile (cholagogue), which are essential for digestion and overall stomach health:

• Aids Digestion: By stimulating gastric juices, rosemary helps break down food more efficiently, reducing discomfort and promoting better nutrient absorption.
• Tones the Stomach: Its carminative properties help to relax the digestive tract muscles, preventing bloating and gas.
• Liver Health: Rosemary tones and decongests the liver (hepatic), which is vital for detoxifying the body and processing nutrients.
• Treats Digestive Disorders: It is effective in treating conditions like dyspepsia (indigestion), flatulence, diarrhea, intestinal and gallbladder infections, stomach pains, and colic.
• Liver and Gallbladder Support: By stimulating bile production, rosemary aids in breaking down fats and supports liver and gallbladder function, helping to prevent and treat liver disorders.

Genito-Urinary Benefits

Rosemary also provides significant benefits for the genito-urinary system:

• Diuretic Properties: It stimulates urine production, helping the body eliminate excess fluids and toxins, which can reduce bloating and prevent urinary tract infections.
• Menstrual Flow Stimulation: As an emmenagogue, rosemary helps stimulate menstrual flow, which can be beneficial for women with irregular periods.
• Menstrual Cramp Relief: Its analgesic and antispasmodic properties provide relief from painful menstrual cramps.
• Leucorrhoea Treatment: Rosemary can help treat leucorrhoea, a condition characterized by white vaginal discharge.

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Circulatory Benefits

Rosemary is highly beneficial for the circulatory system:

• Stimulates Circulation: It improves blood flow throughout the body, ensuring that nutrients and oxygen reach all tissues efficiently.

Pain Relief and Muscle Care

• Raises Blood Pressure: For those with low blood pressure (hypotension), rosemary can help raise and stabilize blood pressure levels.
• Heart Health: It tones, warms, and stimulates the heart, making it stronger and more efficient.
• Cholesterol Management: Rosemary helps normalize cholesterol levels, which is crucial for preventing cardiovascular diseases.
• Treats Circulatory Disorders: It is used to treat conditions like arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and palpitations.

Rosemary is an excellent choice for pain relief and muscle care:

• Effective Painkiller: Unlike some other oils, rosemary provides pain relief without sedative effects, making it suitable for daily use.
• Muscle Relief: It is used in massages, baths, and compresses to relieve pain from conditions like rheumatism and arthritis.
• Overworked Muscles: Ideal for athletes, rosemary helps soothe tired, stiff, and overworked muscles. It is often used before training to prepare muscles and combined with lavender and marjoram for post-training massage to aid recovery.
• Reduces Swelling: Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and promote healing in muscles and joints.Skin and Hair Care

Respiratory Benefits

Rosemary essential oil is a powerhouse for respiratory health. Thanks to its antispasmodic, antiseptic, expectorant, and mucolytic properties, it offers several benefits:

• Asthma Relief: The antispasmodic properties help relax the muscles in the airways, making it easier to breathe and providing relief from asthma symptoms.
• Cough Treatment: As an expectorant, rosemary oil helps clear mucus from the lungs and airways, making it an effective remedy for persistent coughs.
• Bronchitis Aid: Its antiseptic qualities help fight infections in the bronchial tubes, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
• Sinusitis Solution: Rosemary oil can reduce sinus congestion and inflammation, making it easier to breathe and alleviating pressure and pain.
• Whooping Cough Help: The mucolytic properties break down mucus, easing the severe coughing fits associated with whooping cough.

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Skin and Hair Benefits

Rosemary isn’t just for respiratory health; it also offers significant benefits for your skin and hair:

• Wound and Scar Healing: Rosemary oil assists in the healing process of wounds and scars, thanks to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Oil Regulation: It helps balance oil production in the skin, making it beneficial for both oily and dry skin types.
• Circulation Stimulation: By boosting blood flow, rosemary oil helps deliver essential nutrients to the skin, promoting a healthy and glowing complexion.
• Acne and Dermatitis Treatment: Its antimicrobial properties help fight acne-causing bacteria, while its anti-inflammatory effects soothe dermatitis.
• Varicose Veins and Cellulite Reduction: Enhanced circulation helps reduce the appearance of varicose veins and cellulite.
• Hair Growth Promotion: Rosemary oil is a well-known tonic for the scalp, encouraging hair growth and strengthening hair follicles.
• Dandruff and Hair Loss Remedy: It helps treat dandruff and various conditions leading to hair loss, like seborrhea and alopecia areata.

Emotional and Mental Benefits

Rosemary isn’t just good for the body; it’s also beneficial for the mind and emotions:

• Adrenal Cortex Stimulation: By stimulating the adrenal cortex, rosemary oil helps regulate stress hormones and improves overall energy levels.
• Relief from Nervous and Emotional Exhaustion: Its energizing properties can help alleviate feelings of fatigue and burnout.
• Depression and Stress Reduction: Rosemary oil has a positive effect on mood, helping to reduce symptoms of depression and stress.
• Mental Clarity and Memory Improvement: It clears the mind, enhances concentration, and improves memory, making it a popular choice for students and professionals.
• Headache Relief: Its ability to improve circulation and reduce tension helps combat headaches, especially those linked to mental fatigue.

Use with Caution

While rosemary has many benefits, it should be used carefully. In large amounts, it can cause toxicity.

*As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

• *I am Elle, a Physician Assistant, Global Health Consultant and Founder of BHive Management Co, a personal health management medical practice in New York, NY.
• Looking for a personal health advisor? Let’s connect at www.bhivetherapy.com
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