Rosemary

Rosemary

 Rosemary

 
Rosemary in flower
Conservation status

Safe
Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Lamiales

Family: Lamiaceae

Genus: Rosmarinus

Species: R. officinalis

Binomial name

Rosmarinus officinalis
L.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a plant disease and pest resistant, which can be grown by grafting. Rosemary tea can help overcome the problem of rheumatism and flu symptoms. These plants are usually suitable for use as a tea or food.
This herb contains calcium, iron, and Vitamin B6.

Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis

This page contains information on rosemary and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and problems. It is used to treat circulation problems, in hair care and to prevent premature baldness.

Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.
Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.

Botanical Classification

Family	Lamiaceae
Genus and specie	Rosmarinus officinalis

Other names

Rosemarine, incensier and garden rosemary.

Description of the herb rosemary

Rosemary is a hardy bushy perennial shrub with aromatic, evergreen leaves and pale-blue flowers around the stem.

Parts used

The leaves and flowers as well as the essential oil are used.

Properties

Rosemary is a tonic, astringent, restorative herb that relaxes spasm and increases the rate of perspiration, while stimulating the liver and gall bladder. It improves digestion and circulation and controls pathogenic organisms.
It has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, spasmolytic, antioxidant, smooth muscle modulating, analgesic, venotonic, as well as anti-inflammatory properties.
It contains phenolic acids (rosmarinic acid), bitter diterpenes (carnosol, rosmanol) triterpenes (oleanic and ursolic acid), triterpene alcohols and flavonoids. The essential oil contained in the plant contains 1,8-cineole, a-pinene, camphor, b-pinene, borneol, iso-bornyl acetate, limonene, linalool, 3-octanone, terpineol and verbinol.

Therapeutic uses

• Internal use
• It is used with great success for dyspeptic complaints, flatulence and to stimulate appetite and the secretion of gastric juices.
• It is also used as supportive therapy for rheumatism and circulatory problems.
• In herbal preparations it can be included to ensure proper circulation to the penis.
• Furthermore it is used for headaches, as well as for nervous complaints.
• Rosemary is used widely in Mediterranean cooking and the fresh or dried leaves are used to flavor meat (especially lamb and kid), sausages, stuffing, soups, stews and to make tea. The flowers can also be added to salads.
• External use
• Externally, rosemary helps to increase circulation and is very often used in hair care products and lotions as it stimulates the hair follicles to renewed activity and prevent premature baldness.
• It has two important properties – it is an outstanding free radical scavenger and therefore has amazing antioxidant properties, and secondly has an remarkable stimulating effect on the skin.
• Apart from this, it has good antiseptic properties and is traditionally used for hair and scalp stimulation, as well as anti-aging products.
• It has rubefacient properties and therefore is most useful when an increase of blood flow is required or when below-par circulation needs to be rectified.
• Rosemary is an effective treatment against scurf and dandruff.
• It can also be used in mouth rinses and gargles; and is applied topically to stimulate circulation.
• It has analgesic as well as antibacterial, antifungal and anti-parasitic properties.
• Aromatherapy and essential oil use
• This essential oil helps to clear the mind, sharpen the memory and boost the central nervous system. In the body it helps to clear respiratory congestion, including sinuses and relieving catarrh and asthma.
• Its analgesic properties are useful for treating rheumatism, arthritis and sore stiff muscles.
• Furthermore, it stimulates the liver and gall bladder and helps to lower high blood sugar.
• On the skin, it has a tightening effect and reduces bloating and puffiness. In hair care, it stimulates hair growth and fights scalp problems.
• It has analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic properties.