What is rosemary?

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with narrow needle-like leaves, reaching a height of 1 m. The bright green leaves have rolled-in margins. During spring and summer it forms small bluish flowers. Rosemary produces an aromatic, somewhat pungent odour.

Parts used

The rosemary leaves are used to make tea. Rosemary shoots are used to produce essential oil.

Phytochemicals

These are typical phytochemicals found in rosemary: rosemary contains many phytochemicals including tannic acid, borneol, iso-bornyl acetate, carnosol, cineole, pinene and camphor, linalool, rosmanol, terpeniol and verbinol, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids, limonene.

Benefits of rosemary

Rosemary is used as stimulant, general tonic, diaphoretic, antimicrobial and spasmolytic.

Rosemary is applied externally in hair-lotions to prevent premature baldness. Rosemary oil is used in bad oils and ointments to stimulate the blood circulation and as disinfectant. Rosemary tea is used against headaches, nervous complaints and colds.

Rosemary seems to have also anti-cancer properties. Researchers at the Rutgers University have demonstrated that rosemary oil can prevent the development of tumors in animals. When applied externally, rosemary oil reduced the risk of skin cancer and when taken internally it reduced the incidence of colon and lung cancer. However, rosemary oil should never be taken internally by humans because it can cause irritation and poisoning.

Rosemary helps to relax the muscles of the digestive tract and uterus. Rosemary will relieve stomach cramps and flatulence.

Other facts

Other names

Polar plant, compass plant, wild rosemary