Herbs and spices have been used by different cultures all throughout history.
And while most of them were used extensively because of their unmatched value in the kitchen, many herbs and spices were also celebrated for their medicinal properties.
One such herb is rosemary.
Rosemary: A wonder herb
A woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves, rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) has been held in high esteem since ancient times, used as a culinary and medicinal herb by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. [1]
In fact, Pedanius Discorides, a Greek physician, pharmacologist and a botanist, as well as a contemporary of both Pliny the Elder and Galen, wrote about the properties of the rosemary herb in his De Materia Medica, a five-volume encyclopedia regarding the use and identification of medicinal herbs. [2]
Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary was believed to possess several health-supporting properties, the most notable of which was its ability to support healthy memory and cognitive function. In fact, this property was deemed so potent that the scholars of ancient Greece often wore wreaths of rosemary on their heads in order to help them recall important points when studying for their exams. [3]
It wasn’t just the Greeks and Romans who took note of this herb’s benefits, however.
According to the tenets of Ayurveda – an ancient holistic healing practice that originated on the Indian subcontinent 5,000 years ago – rosemary has a warming and relaxing effect on the body, which means that it can help address issues brought about by an imbalance in one’s kapha dosha, or water element. [4]
Because of this, rosemary – whose name literally means dew of the ocean – is often used as an ingredient in many Ayurvedic healing solutions, such as teas and liniments.
These practices have since been carried over to modern times – no surprise, given that the powerful properties attributed to the herb by the ancients may actually have scientific basis.
What’s inside the rosemary plant?
Rosemary, along with many other herbs, such as oregano, thyme, basil and lavender, is a member of the mint family or Lamiaceae.
Noted for its energizing aroma, the rosemary plant, much like its relatives, contains many powerful compounds called polyphenols. One of these polyphenols is rosmarinic acid, which is said to possess powerful antioxidant properties. [5]
Aside from rosmarinic acid, other compounds that can be found in rosemary are camphor, caffeic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, carnosic acid and carnosol – all of which exhibit powerful health properties. [6]
Traditionally, rosemary was used by healers and herbalists in the form of infusions, decoctions, poultices and steam treatments. Modern science, however, has allowed this herb’s potent properties to be condensed into one convenient form: organic essential oil.
Essential oils: A primer
Essential oils are substances that capture the unique aromatic compounds that give plants – such as rosemary and other herbs – not just their distinct scent, but also their health-supporting properties. It is for this reason that essential oils are extensively used in the practice of aromatherapy, a form of alternative, holistic medicine that uses organic plant extracts to support one’s health and well-being. [7]
Essential oils are usually obtained through two processes: distillation via steam and water, and mechanical extraction, such as cold pressing. [8]
Once the plants’ aromatic chemicals have been extracted, they are then combined with a neutral carrier oil in order to create a product that's ready for use.
A word of caution: Most essential oils, despite being organic, are not meant to be ingested, and should only be applied topically or vaporized using a scent diffuser.
How do essential oils work?
According to naturopathic physicians, as well as other holistic health practitioners, inhaling the aromas produced by essential oils can support the body’s limbic system, which is the part of your brain that plays a role in emotions and behaviors, as well as its sense of smell and long-term memory. [9]
Aside from these, the limbic system is also heavily involved in several of the body’s unconscious physiological functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Because of this, some people claim that essential oils can exert a positive physical effect on your body. [10]
What do you get from Organic Rosemary Essential Oil?
As it is basically a liquid, distilled form of the herb, organic rosemary essential oil possesses all of the health benefits associated with the actual plant.
Similar to its unprocessed form, organic rosemary essential oil contains potent plant-sourced compounds such as α-Pinene, eucalyptol and rosmarinic acid. However, one major difference is that the essential oil contains these compounds in a much higher concentration.
According to holistic and naturopathic physicians, these components – as well as their pure and concentrated nature – are the main source of organic rosemary essential oil’s purported health benefits,** some of which are listed below:
Organic Rosemary Essential Oil can help ease stressful feelings**
If you’re feeling stressed, you might have to stop for a bit and take the time to inhale organic rosemary essential oil. This is because rosemary essential oil has been shown to help ease one’s stressful and anxious feelings.
In a clinical study, researchers found that inhaling rosemary oil helped soothe stressful feelings in nursing students. [11]
Organic Rosemary Essential Oil helps relieve discomfort**
A poultice of rosemary, in folk medicine, is usually used to bring relief to people who are experiencing minor aches associated with non-disease states such as strenuous exercise. The same effect has been observed with organic rosemary essential oil.
In a two-week study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, test subjects who underwent 20 minutes of acupressure with organic rosemary essential oil twice daily experienced greater shoulder comfort than those who only received acupressure. [12]
Organic Rosemary Essential Oil supports healthy cognitive function**
Rosemary, according to the ancient healers of Greece and Rome, allegedly has the ability to support one’s memory. Today’s science says they may have been on to something.
According to modern research, this could be linked to rosemary oil’s ability to help support the healthy function of the brain chemical acetylcholine, which is important for thinking, concentration and memory. [13]
Organic Rosemary Essential Oil supports healthy circulation**
If you’re experiencing cold hands and feet, some organic rosemary essential oil might be of help.
This is because compounds in rosemary oil may help maintain optimal blood circulation. This means a couple of minutes spent massaging your extremities with rosemary oil can help warm them up with little effort. [14]
Organic Rosemary Essential Oil can help shake off drowsiness**
Rosemary used to be applied as a traditional remedy for drowsiness – a property that can be attributed to the plant’s natural ability to restore mental alertness. And as it turns out, it’s a property that can also be found in rosemary essential oil. [15]
Feeling drowsy at the office? Add a few drops to your scent diffuser, or rub a couple of drops – diluted with jojoba or avocado oil – on your temples to banish that dreaded afternoon slump.
How to use Organic Rosemary Essential Oil
As mentioned before, organic essential oils such as Health Ranger's Organic Rosemary Essential Oil can be used topically or as part of an aromatherapy session. As essential oils are very concentrated, only a few drops are needed at a time.
Here are some guidelines on their use:
Topical application
Topical application remains one of the most popular ways to use organic essential oils. This is because rosemary and other essential oils can be readily absorbed into your bloodstream when applied to the skin.
When applying essential oils such as that of organic rosemary, however, care must be taken to dilute it with a neutral carrier oil in order to avoid undue irritation.
Also, one must make sure not to apply the oil on broken or irritated skin, or near the eyes.
Inhalation
Inhalation, by far, is the simplest way to use organic rosemary oil. There are three ways in which one can inhale its beneficial properties. The simplest of this is to open the bottle and just breathe the scent in. Another method is to simply put a few drops on a cloth, which you can then hold near your face.
The most popular way to use this oil however, is through the use of aromatherapy diffusers, which are capable of distributing the essential oil’s scent and benefits into the surrounding air.
How to choose the best Organic Rosemary Essential Oil
Given that essential oils are very popular as of this writing, buying a bottle can be quite overwhelming for the first-time consumer.
The following must be kept in mind when buying essential oils:
- Purity: The best essential oils on the market are those that are made without any fillers or additives. To check the oil’s purity, take a look at the ingredients list on the label: only the plant’s name should be listed.
- Quality: High-quality essential oils are those whose components have not been changed or destroyed by the extraction process. When buying a bottle, make sure that what you’re getting is one that has been extracted through distillation or mechanical cold pressing.
- Brand Reputation: Purchase oils only from brands with a reputation for producing high-quality products, such as the Health Ranger Store.
Personal Care Recipe: Organic Rosemary Essential Oil-Infused Sugar Scrub
A simple and natural way to facilitate exfoliation, this simple sugar scrub contains no artificial ingredients, and is guaranteed to make your skin feel soft, supple and energized. Best of all, it only uses three ingredients!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Health Ranger Select Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
- 2 cups organic brown sugar
- 15 drops Health Ranger's Organic Rosemary Essential Oil
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, combine the coconut oil and sugar. Stir to combine.
- Add 15 drops of essential oil. Stir well.
- Check the texture of the sugar scrub: its texture must be moist and grainy. If the scrub is too wet, add additional sugar until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Pack the finished scrub in glass jars. Store in a cool, dry place.
Do you know of any other ways organic rosemary essential oil can support your health? Do you know of other ways to use organic rosemary essential oil? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
**These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
