Rosemary uses, benefits and risks

In this Article (Index)

Coping with Anxiety and Stress

• Rosemary
• Chemical composition
• Rosemary essential Oil
• Polyphenols
• Health benefits of Rosemary
• Traditional medicine uses of Rosemary
• Anti-cancer agent
• Anti-depressive
• Hair Growth Promoter
• Anti-inflammatory
• Topical use for wounds, eczema, muscle and joint pain
• Digestive uses
• Mood and Memory
• For rheumatic conditions
• Rosemary Tea
• Rosemary Oil
• Make your own rosemary infused olive oil
• Risks and Side effects

Rosemary

The plant

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly named Rosmarinus officinalis Linn) is a perennial shrub-shaped plant that originally grew in the Mediterranean region. It can grow to a height of almost 7 feet (2 m).

It is an aromatic plant, with a special fragrance, and it has been used as a spice to flavor food, as a food preservative, and in traditional medicine for thousands of years. (1)

Its Health Promoting Properties

Rosemary's medicinal properties include cancer prevention, liver protection and potential uses to treat Alzheimer's disease. (1); it is also antidiabetic and has anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. (5)

Chemical composition

Essential Oil

Rosemary leaves contain 0.5% to 2.5% of a volatile oil, Rosemary Oil an essential oil that has been used in traditional medicine in the Mediterranean region and across Europe. It is listed in the European Pharmacopea as Rosemary Oil (Ph. Eur., 01/2008: 1846).

This essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of rosemary leaves. It is composed of a mix of fragrance-producing chemicals that vary depending on the plant and its origin. These compounds give it is fragrance and also account for its bioactive effects as an antioxidant and antimicrobial. (3), (4)

Main components of Rosemary Oil

Other components ranging from 0.4% to 5% include &beta-myrcene, limonene,borneol, verbenone and α-terpineol.

Polyphenols

Roughly 5% of the dry weight of rosemary leaves is made up of carnosol and carnosic acid; and these two compounds account for over ninety percent of its antioxidant activity. (2),(3).

• Carosic acid. Makes up 1.5 to 2% of the dried leaves. It is unstable and oxidizes to form carnosol and rosmanol.
• Carnosol. This polyphenol has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties.
• Rosmarinic acid. A phenolic acid derivative, it is a potent antioxidant.
• Caffeic acid
• Ursolic acid Ursolic acid is a triterpenoid compound that has an anti-inflammatory and even an anti-depressant effect (6). It also has anti-cancer properties (lung cancer). (8)

Among the polyphenolic compounds, rosemary also contains flavonoids like homoplantaginin, cirsimaritin, genkwanin, gallocatechin, nepetrin, hesperidin, and luteolin derivatives. (5)

Health benefits of Rosemary

• Anti-cancer agent
• Anti-depressive
• Hair Growth Promoter
• Anti-inflammatory
• Topical use for wounds, eczema, muscle and joint pain
• Digestive uses
• Mood and Memory
• For rheumatic conditions

Reduces risk of cancer

Epidemiological studies suggest a reduced risk of prostate cancer in patients consuming rosemary (6).

As mentioned, rosemary contains polyphenolic diterpenes, in particular carnosic acid and carnosol. These are sold as rosemary extract dietary supplements that mention their composition in both compounds. Research shows that "carnosic acid is also cytotoxic against various cancer cell lines derived from human leukemia, breast, lung, and liver malignant tissues." (2).
Another polyphenol, Ursolic acid is also an anti-cancer agent.

Effective against depression

Rosemary is traditionally used as a a herbal tea to treat neuropsychiatric diseases like anxiety and depression. (7) Ursolic acid found in rosemary has antidepressive properties.

A small scale trial using 22 healthy volunteers measured the effect of consuming once a day, for ten days, rosemary tea infused from 5 g of dried rosemary in 100 ml of boiled water. (9)
The study found that drinking rosemary tea increased the concentrtion of a chemical synthesized by neurons known as BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor). Low levels of BDNF are linked to increased depressive symptoms and loss of neurons. Antidepressive therapy is shwon to help restore BDNF levels. The fact that rosemary boosted BDNF levels shows its potential as an antidepressive agent.

Hair Growth Promoter

A random trial compared the effects of rosemary oil versus minoxidil 2% in two groups of 50 men, each using only one of these products over a period of 6 months. The subjects suffered from androgenetic alopecia (AGA) also known as pattern hair loss.

Rosemary oil performed as well as minoxidil 2% and "both groups experienced a significant increase in hair count at the 6-month endpoint." Furthermore, the rosemary oil group had a lower frequency of scalp itching than the minoxidil group. The authors concluded that "the findings of the present trial provided evidence with respect to the efficacy of rosemary oil in the treatment of AGA." (11)

Traditional Medicinal Uses

Rosemary oil was used as a cosmetic and as medicine in ancient Greece and Rome.
Pliny the Elder(AD 23 ⁄ 24–79) reports the use of rosemary use as follows:

The root, applied fresh, effects the cure of wounds, proapsus of the rectum, condylomata, and piles. The juice of the plant, as well as of the root, is curative of jaundice, and such diseases as require detergents; it is useful also for the sight. The seed is given in drink for inveterate diseases of the chest, and, with wine and pepper, for affections of the utreus; it acts also as an emmenagogue, and is used with meal o darnel as a liniment for gout. It acts also as a deterget upon freckles, and is used as an application in diseases which require calorifics or sudorifics, and for convulsions. The plant itself, or else the root, taken in wine, increases the milk, and the leaves and stem of the plant are applied with vinegar to scrofulous sores; used with honey, they are very useful for cough. Pliny the Elder, (The Natural History)

Other uses in folk medicine

Different ways of using rosemary

Rosemary is used as an infusion or tea, made with the dry leaves; as a tincture (placing the leaves, and flowers in alcohol), in baths, or as an essential oil mixed with other oils for topical use on the skin. It served as an insecticide, as an antioxidant and preservative for fats and food as well as having medical uses.

Anti-inflammatory

In traditional Chinese medicine, rosemary extracts containing diterpenes and triterpenes are used to treat inflammatory conditions. (6)

The European Medicines Agency reports its use during the late twentieth century as follows. (4)

Topical use for wounds, eczema, muscle and joint pain

Due to its antimicrobial properties it was used as a dressing for healing eczema and wounds.

In Germany and Western Europe for muscle and joint pain as an ointment containing 6 g of rosemary oil per 100 g of ointment. 3 cm of the ointment 2 to 3 times per day.

It has been shown in animal and humans to be effective in aiding wound healing; one randomized trial using a cream for episiotomy wound healing found "a higher rate of episiotomy wound healing in the group of rosemary cream compared to placebo." It used an alcoholic extract from crushed rosemary leaves, from which the solvent was evaporated; the dry extract was mixed in a 3% concentrarion in a base cream. (13)

Digestive uses

As a powdered herbal medicine in capsules containing 250 mg, two capsules, 3 times per day. Spain and Turkey.

Rosemary leaf tea is is used in Spain and Turkey to improve digestion (1-2 g in 250 ml of water, 2 to 3 times per day); and also in Poland and Turkey, to improve liver and gallbladder function, and dyspepsia (2 g, 1 to 2 times per day).

For rheumatic conditions

As a decoction in therapy for rheumatic affections and peripheral circulatory disorders. Adding 1 liter of a 1:20 decoction to bath water, twice a week (Poland and Turkey).

Rosemary Essential Oil and Rosemary Tea

Rosemary Oil

The essential oil of rosemary is used in aromatherapy, inhaling it by placing a few drops of this oil into a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam. Studies show it has an impact on both mood and memory.

Mood and Memory

A study evaluated the impact of essential oils on mood and cognitive performance in healthy volunteers. The 140 subjects were split into three groups, one exposed to lavender oil, another to rosemary oil, and the control group with no odor. They completed tasks to asses mood and memory. The results showed that rosemary performed better than lavender and enhanced performance of overall memory quality and secondary memory factors but slowed memory speed in comparison to the control group. The control and lavender groups "were significantly less alert than the rosemary condition; however, the control group was significantly less content than both rosemary and lavender conditions." (12)

Skin use

For topical application on the skin, it should be diluted with other oils (EOs are very concentrated). You can use almond, olive or coconut oil as a carrier. Test it on a small patch of skin to see if you are sensitized before using it.

Never drink an essential oil.

In Germany and Turkey it is used as a bath additive (1.35 g every 100 l of water) to treat the skin. Used up to once a day in 35-39°C water for 10 to 30 minutes.

Rosemary Tea

As a a herbal tea it is used to treat respiratory or neuropsychiatric diseases, and also against inflammatory, cardiac and digestive disorders. (7)

Rosemary tea contains phytochemicals belonging to six groups: flavonoids, phenolic acids, phenolic terpenes, jasmonate, phenolic glycosides, and lignans.

Rosmarinic acid was the main compound with almost 160 μg⁄g of dried leaves, followed by feruloylnepitrin (100 μg⁄g) and luteolin-3′-O-(2″-O-acetyl)-β-d-glucuronide (44.04 μg⁄g). (10)

Make your own rosemary infused olive oil

Rinse the fresh sprigs (1 or 2 of them) and dry them with a paper towl. If using dry leaves, you will need 1 to 2 tablespoons.

Place 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan and add the rosemary and stir. Heat until it is warm, it shouldn't get too hot as it will evaporate the volatile components of the leaves. When you smell the rosemary it is time to turn off the heat. Strain the leaves, place the oil in a bowl to cool. Once it is cold, strain it through a fine mesh or cheescloth to remove any impurities, and bottle.
Shelf life. 1 -2 months. Store in a dark cool place.

Use it in marinades and salad dressings.

Risks of Rosemary Oil

Never ingest rosemary oil

As with all essential oils, rosemary oil should be used with care.
As essential oils are "natural" products with a botanical origin many people believe that they are "safe to consume" but this is not true, they are skin irritants and poisons; they can cause serious effects if ingested. Toxic: Essential Oils are poisonous and irritant.

Accidental oral ingestion of essential oils can cause severe poisoning, coma or even death. Children are especially at risk of being poisoned by ingesting essential oils, so store them in child-proof containers and keep them out of the reach of children.

Rosemary Oil has been reported to cause Hypersensitivity: asthma and contact dermatitis. (4)

Safety concerns and risks

Rosemary leaves

Don't use in children under 12 years of age either as an infusion or as an additive in baths.

Rosemary Oil

Don't use in children or teenagers under 18 years old or in people who are hypersensitive to its components.

Don't use it on damaged, broken, or irritated skin as it may cause allergic reactions.

Avoid contact with the eyes and don't apply it near mucous membranes.

Rosemary as a herb

Total daily intake should not exceed 4 to 6 grams of the dried herb. (14)

Remember that herbs can interact with other herbs, medicine, supplements and can trigger adverse reactions. They should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.

Intake of Rosemary extracts

Regarding rosemary extracts, they are used in foods and beverages as preservatives up to levels of 400 mg/kg (sum of both carnosol and carnosic acid). the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) concluded that the higher daily intake ranges from 0.09 mg⁄kg for the elderly to 0.81 mg⁄kg for children (sum of carnosol and carnosic acid). (5)

Rosemary Oil

The Fragrance and Essence Manufacturers Association of the USA (FEMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have listed it rosemary oil as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for food use. In 1970 the Council of Europe included rosemary oil in the list of substances, spices and seasonings deemed admissible for use, with a possible limitation of the active principles in the final product. (15)

Although rosemary is generally considered safe when taken in recommended doses. However, there have been occasional reports of allergic reactions.

The leaves contain a high level of volatile essential oil, so if used in large quantities they can provoke vomiting, spasms, pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), and even coma. content, large quantities of rosemary leaves can cause serious side effects, including vomiting, spasms, coma and, in some cases, pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).
Rosemary is a diuretic so it can dehydrate you.

Pregnant women, and those who are breastfeeding should not use rosemary supplements. However, it is safe to use it as a spice in food.

People with ulcers, hypertension (high blood pressure), ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease should avoid rosemary.

It can interact with blood thinners (anticoagulants), high blood pressure medications and diuretic drugs. It may also alter blood sugar levels so people suffering from diabetes should avoid it. (14)