Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – we source this one from a South African producer.  Certainly you can see that we are so proud to have this oil as part of our repertoire. It has a sharp camphor-like fragrance. This herb is often used, fresh or dried, in culinary recipes on meat such as Lamb and Chicken. Rosemary essential oil is a warm oil and also a middle note. You can take it internally, if done responsibly. Please read our cautionary segment at the bottom of this page. See our responsible usage guide here. Do not put the oil directly in your mouth – it will burn – it is very potent.  It does, in a carrier oil, have a strong herbaceous taste.

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About Rosemary essential oil

Firstly, Rosemary oil is known to be a natural preservative, due to being an anti-oxidant and anti-microbial.  Other properties this oil has is that it is known to be an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent. In light of that it is great to help with these conditions: reduce stress levels and tension, relieve fatigue, and support respiratory function.

Rosemary is, secondly, known to help decrease cortisol levels. It was found that the cineole compound slows the breakdown of neurotransmitters involved in memory and mental processes. It is used to improve alertness, eliminate negative moods, and increase the retention of information by enhancing concentration. This is the reason we used it in our Focus Blend.

Furthermore,it helps with poor circulation, sore muscles, nerve pain, rheumatism, and even cellulite. It raises low blood pressure and treats high cholesterol, lung congestion, sore throat, and canker sores. It has even been found to be hepatoprotective (against liver-related damage). Rosemary oil is a hair strengthener and a potent insect repellent. This makes it a great oil to help keep headlice away. We’ve used it in our BugShield blend for this reason.

Lastly, Rosemary essential oil is even known to have a positive impact on gastrointestinal (GI) health. It does this because it decreases oxidative stress and inflammation in the GI tract. It can help ease indigestion and diseases such as IBS.

Main Chemical Compounds

The main chemical compound found in Rosemary is 18-cineole at about 43.77%, camphor at about 12.53% and α-pinene at about 11.51%. These compounds are responsible for making this oil such a strong anti-microbial oil.  Cineole, as seen before, helps with memory and better brain function. Champhor is the one we can thank for these properties: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipruritic (used to relieve itching), antiseptic and being an expectorant. α-pinene is a strong bronchodilator, analgesic, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and can even help with short-term memory impairment.

How do I use Rosemary

Culinary recipes with meats such as chicken and lamb. Use the herb but add a drop or two Rosemary essential oil to your Olive oil when adding it to your pan. Rub that oil over your meat before you bake it. Use a drop in your home-made salad dressing.  You can even use it in baked goods such as savoury muffins. Add a drop of Rosemary oil to the sunflower oil that goes into your recipe and enjoy the extra strong flavour. Refer to our responsible usage guide to see how to use essential oils responsibly internally.

When you use this oil topically for something like muscle pain, always dilute it in a carrier oil such as Sweet Almond. To ease indigestion, make a blend for tummy help in Avocado oil in a roller bottle.  Moreover, you can diffuse it in your aroma diffuser as is, if you love the smell. Warning: it might make your home smell like food so get ready to use it in all your best recipes!

Add one to 3 drops max to your children’s current shampoo and conditioner.  Not only will it help with shine and strength, but it will also keep headlice at bay.

Blends well with

Don’t know how to make a blend? Keep an eye out on our Facebook page to see when the next Masterclass will be presented.  However, here is a list of single pure natural oils that blends well with Rosemary:

• Cypress
• Bergamot
• Black Pepper
• Oregano
• Basil
• Cedarwood
• Frankincense oil
• Geranium
• Ginger
• Grapefruit
• Lavender
• Lemongrass
• Lime
• Sweet Orange

Cautions

• Always consult your medical practitioner before using essential oils you are unsure of or if any side effects are experienced because of its use.
• Do not use topically or diffused around children under the age of six unless very diluted.
• Keep away from the eyes.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Store in glass, in a cool dry place away from sunlight to preserve longer.
• Do not use during pregnancy since it might cause uterine contractions resulting in miscarriage or preterm labor.
• Do not ingest undiluted. Can be taken orally – 1 drop mixed with honey to emulsify properly, added to a jug of tea or lemon water.
• People with high blood pressure, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis should not take pure rosemary essential oil internally. It can be toxic to these people if ingested and should never be taken orally.  Applicable for pure Rosemary oil ONLY.  When incorporated into the OilGrow blends, it is diluted enough to negate such threats.
• Again, see our responsible usage guide here