This crisp
and clean smelling essential oil is great for stimulating the brain, improving
memory and mental clarity, while helping with a variety of congested
respiratory tract problems, stiff muscles, coldness as well as boosting the
liver and gall bladder. It is also used for improving hair and scalp health.
Oil
properties
Rosemary oil
has a clear, powerful refreshing herbal smell, is clear in color and watery in
viscosity.
Origin of
rosemary oil
it is a
shrubby evergreen bush that grows up to 1.5 meters (4 feet) high with
green-gray needle-shaped leaves and pale blue/lilac flowers that bees just love
and is originally from Asia, but is now cultivated in France, Tunisia and
Yugoslavia.
The name is
derived from the Latin 'Rosmarinus' or 'sea dew', as it is rather fond of
water. The Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks and Romans considered the herb as sacred
and even in the Middle Ages it was used to ward off evils spirits and used as a
protection against the plague. It was burnt in French hospitals during
epidemics.
Extraction
Rosemary oil
is extracted from the fresh flowering tops by steam distillation. It yields 1.0
- 2.0 %.
Chemical
composition
The main
chemical components of rosemary oil are a-pinene, borneol, b-pinene, camphor,
bornyl acetate, camphene, 1,8-cineole and limonene.
Precautions
Rosemary oil
should not be used during pregnancy and is unsuitable for people with epilepsy
or high blood pressure.
Therapeutic
properties
The
therapeutic properties of rosemary oil are analgesic, antidepressant,
astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic,
emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific
and tonic.
Uses
Rosemary oil
has a pronounced action on the brain and the central nervous system and is
wonderful for clearing the mind and mental awareness, while having excellent
brain stimulant properties, as well as improving memory.
It helps
with headaches, migraines, neuralgia, mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion and
the antiseptic action of rosemary oil is especially suitable for intestinal
infections and diarrhea, easing colitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, hepatic
disorders and jaundice and relieving pain associated with rheumatism,
arthritis, muscular pain and gout. It also helps for arteriosclerosis,
palpitations, poor circulation and varicose veins.
The diuretic
properties of rosemary oil are useful with reducing water retention during
menstruation, and also with obesity and cellulite.
On the
respiratory system, it is effective for asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, sinus and
whooping cough. Because of its astringent action, it is also effective for
countering sagging skin. Its stimulating action benefits scalp disorders and
encourages hair growth.
On the skin,
it helps to ease congestion, puffiness and swelling and can also be used for
acne, dermatitis and eczema, but a very popular use of this oil is the use in
hair care products, as it has a pronounced positive effect on the health of the
hair and scalp. It increases the circulation to the scalp and is therefore also
effective for promoting hair growth.
Summary
Rosemary oil
is effective for mental fatigue, circulation problems, pain relief for the
muscular system, decongests the respiratory tract and is a skin and hair
booster.
•
Burners
and vaporizers
In vapor therapy, rosemary
oil can be helpful for congestion, alcohol over-indulgence, overwork, sinusitis
and mental and physical tiredness. It furthermore stimulates the brain, improves
memory and promotes clear thinking.
•
Blended
massage oil or in the bath
As a blended massage oil or
diluted in the bath, rosemary oil can assist with liver and gall problems,
mucus congestion, muscular aches, cramps, pains and spasms, stiff neck,
overwork, rheumatism, arthritis, colds, constipation, diarrhea, coughs,
bronchitis, back pain, scalp disorders, sinusitis, mental fatigue and physical
tiredness.
•
Cream
or lotion
In a cream or lotion it is
most beneficial for improving blood circulation and decongesting the skin.
•
Shampoo
When added to shampoo it not
only increases the circulation to the scalp and thereby improving hair growth,
but also acts as a general conditioner and tonic for the hair and scalp.