Rosemary
Salvia Rosmarinus, Rosmarinus OfficinalisHistory
Rosemary is a garden herb in the mint family with characteristic narrow leaves and small blue flowers. Depending on the variety, Rosemary can grow up to 6 feet tall or more. It originated in the mediterranean region (and indeed, it got its name from because it was usually found growing next or close to the sea: “ros”, meaning dew, and “marinus”, meaning sea). Rosemary can now be found in many regions with temperate climates in dry and sandy soil.
Rosemary has long been more than just a culinary herb or an ornamental garden plant. It has been used for hundreds and hundreds of years. Ancient Greeks and Romans regarded it as a sacred plant, and Egyptians buried sprigs of Rosemary in the Pharaoh’s tombs, perhaps already aware of Rosemary’s memory-enhancing properties and in a desire to be remembered even after death.
Rosemary was also symbolic of fidelity, and as such several ancient cultures included Rosemary in their courtship and wedding rituals. According to English folklore if a girl placed a plate of flour under a Rosemary bush on midsummer’s eve, her future husband’s initials would be written in it. Other’s believed that to see one’s love in a dream one should put Rosemary under their pillow. Sprigs of Rosemary were also given out to guests as wedding favors or placed in the cups of the married couple as they drank their wedding toasts.
Rosemary was used to ward against evil and disease. Rosemary branches were burnt in medieval hospitals to protect patients from infection and even from pests. Rosemary was planted around a house to protect it from witches and was burned along with charcoal and other herbs to purify and cleanse the air in closed spaces.
One final bit of trivia is that Napoleon was obsessed with Rosemary. It is said that he went through over one hundred bottles of Rosemary water in just a few months, and even as he lay dying, he was surrounded by the scent of Rosemary in his bedchamber. Rosemary water became so popular during and after his time that it became one the first herbal products to be commercially produced and marketed.
Throughout history, Rosemary has been used in treatments for a variety of ailments. It is found as a main ingredient in tonics, liniments, and beauty preparations in ancient as well as medieval medicinal books. Though the chemical constituents of the plant have been identified and studied only in recent years, there is significant anecdotal evidence that it acts as an excellent repellent, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent with memory-enhancing and even tumor-inhibitory properties.
“Pray you, love, remember”
Rosemary essential oil, much like the sea from which it derives its name, has a sharp, fresh, and stimulating aroma and has long been associated with the ability to improve memory
USE: Topical | Diffusion
Rosemary oil: Not all Rosemary Essential oils are the same. It is possible that the chemical makeup and even the scent of the oil distilled from a perfectly good Rosemary plant may vary significantly from that distilled from another perfectly good Rosemary plant. This is due to chemotypes.
A chemotype (ct) is a chemically distinct component of the plant that reflects the environment in which it grows (altitude and climate), what plant parts are distilled (flowers, stems, leaves, roots, or a combination of these), and whether the plant material is fresh or dried when distilled. The designation of chemotypes is necessary because not only is the scent going to be different but also each chemotype will have different applications, key benefits, and safety warnings. If a vendor does not identify Rosemary chemotype, then the essential oil is more than likely adulterated and should not be used.
See Rosemary Chemotypes box at the bottom of the page for distinctions and best uses for each chemotype.
Blends Well With
- All citruses
- Basil
- Bergamot
- Black Pepper
- Cedarwood
- Fir
- Grapefruit
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Peppermint
- Pine
Key Benefits
- is tasty (in herb form. DO NOT INGEST ESSENTIAL OIL!!)
- astringent (tones and tightens facial skin)
- anti-microbial
- anti-bacterial (use in treating acne, dermatitis, eczema, and athlete’s foot)
- anti-oxidant action
- anti-inflammatory
- analgesic (eases pain by numbing nerves)
- enhances memory
- improves alertness and focus
- stimulant (helps with poor circulation and low blood pressure as well as quickens function of glands)
- relieves muscle aches and pains (use as a massage oil for arthritis, rheumatism, stiff and sore muscles, gout)
- soothes respiratory conditions (works as an experctorant and aids in treating asthma, bronchitis, colds and cough)
- aids in detoxing
- is said to help with diabetes
- promotes liver and gallbladder health
- promotes digestive health
- promotes hair health (increases hair growth, treats oily, dandruff-y sclaps)
Safety
Do not apply on or near the face of babies or children, especially if using cineole.
Limit use during pregnancy, or avoid altogether, as some chemotypes have not yet been studied for use in pregnancy.
Avoid if you have high blood pressure.
Avoid if you suffer from epilepsy. High camphor content could cause seizures.

Diffusing Blends
Spic-N’-Span
- 3 drops Lemon
- 2 drops Lavender
- 1 drop Rosemary
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
- 4 drops Geranium
- 3 drops Rosemary
- 2 drops Peppermint
Good Vibes Only
- 7 drops Grapefruit
- 5 drops Rosemary
- 4 drops Peppermint
Ivy League (Study Time)
- 3 drops Peppermint
- 3 drops Rosemary
- 1 drop Orange (optional)
Invigorated Mind
- 4 drops Rosemary
- 4 drops Grapefruit
- 2 drops Peppermint
Breathe Your Name
(Good to aid respiratory system)
- 3 drops Frankincense
- 2 drops Eucalyptus
- 1 drop Cedarwood
- 1 drop Rosemary
Focus 1
- 2 drops of Cedarwood
- 2 drops of Rosemary
- 1 drop Peppermint

Topical Application
Headache
Migraine Headache Roll-On #2: Mix 4 drops peppermint, 3 drops sweet Marjoram, 2 drops Basil, 2 drops helichrysum, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops rosemary with 10 mL carrier oil (5% dilution rate). Massage onto temples, nape, back of the neck, jaw.
Cramping My Style
Massage oil for cramps. 3% dilution:
- 3 drops Geranium
- 3 drops Rosemary
- 2 drops Marjoram
- 1 drop Black Pepper
- 2 tsp (10 mL) carrier oil
Sore muscles
3% dilution:
- 4 drops of Peppermint
- 1 drops of Lavender
- 2 drops of Roman Chamomile
- 2 drops of Rosemary
- 2 tsp (10 mL) carrier oil
Painful back
4% dilution:
- 2 drops Rosemary
- 2 drops Peppermint
- 2 drops Basil
- 1 tsp (5 mL) carrier oil
Colds & Sinus Relief Massage
4% dilution:
- 3 drops Rosemary
- 2 drops Eucalyptus
- 1 drop Lemon
- 1 tsp (5 mL) carrier oil
Massage around the chest, neck, and the sinuses.

DIYs
Hair Growth Shampoo
For a 1% dilution, set aside 3 oz of your regular shampoo and add the following…
- 9 drops Cedarwood
- 9 drops Lavender
- 9 drops Rosemary
Mix ingredients. Store in a small bottle and use 2 or 3x a week. You can use your regular shampoo but if you want to do better use unscented shampoo that is sulfate and paraben free.
Rapunzel Hair
2% dilution. Massage some of this oil into scalp. Leave in overnight or 1-6 hours before rinsing off. PS: If you already have oily hair, you might want to use the shampoo recipe instead.
- 3 drops Cedarwood
- 3 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Rosemary
- 2 tsp (10 mL) Castor Oil
- 1 tsp (5 mL) Argan Oil
Restore Normal Oil Production
Apply to face and neck in upward motions at night after washing skin. Avoid exposure to the sun for 12 hours after using. <1% dilution:
- 4 drops Tea tree
- 2 drops Lemon
- 2 drops Cedarwood
- 1 drop Rosemary
- 2 tbsp (30 mL) Grapeseed oil
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) Jojoba
Flowers n Such Facial Serum
1% dilution for face & neck:
- 3 drops Geranium
- 2 drops Jasmine
- 2 drops Lavender
- 1 drops Roman Chamomile
- 1 drops Rosemary
- 2 tbsp (30 mL) carrier oil
Mix ingredient and store in a dark colored, glass bottle. Massage a small amount of blend into your face, wipe off excess with a tissue and leave on overnight.
Chemotypes
The benefits of Rosemary essential oil depends on its chemical compositions, and at least 13 different rosemary oil chemotypes have been previously identified based on the relative percentages of the following compounds: α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, camphor, borneol, verbenone, and bornyl acetate. The following are among the most notable chemotypes and their characteristics.
Rosemary ct. Cineole (aka 1,8 Cineole)
- Strong expectorant
- Helps open airways and clear congestion
- Stimulates digestive system
- Helps increase bile production
- Helps hair growth
- Good for the nerves
- Calms muscle spasms
- Antibacterial
- Mildly anesthetic
How does it compare to others? Highest cineole conent. Most common and one of the less expensive forms of Rosemary essential oil. Has least skin benefits. Great for respiratory conditions. Best used to fight bacteria and fungus.
Safety Avoid use on small children, elders, pregnant/nursing women.
Rosemary ct. Camphor
- Stimulates circulation
- Promotes liver and kidney health
- Eases muscle aches
- Eases pains due to colds and flu
- Helps you breathe better, helps open airways and clear congestion
- Helps with bladder infections
- Helps with gallstones
- Helps with menstrual irregularities (lack of menstruation, cramping, and heavy or long periods)
- Invigorates the mind.
How does it compare to others? Highest camphor content (up to 30%). Effective with promoting hair growth, best for treating respiratory conditions.
Safety Higher camphor oils may be neurotoxic and should be used with care. May have an adverse effect to homeopathic remedies because of the high camphor content. NEVER ingest essential oil as it may make you ill or kill you. Camphor containing products are also unsafe when applied to broken or injured skin as camphor is easily absorbed through broken skin.
Rosemary ct. Verbenone
- Clears mucus (decongestant)
- Treats sinus infections
- Antibacterial
- Promotes skin healing
- Hormone-balancing
- Regulates endoctrine system
- Calming
- Helps with depression
How does it compare to others? Contains least camphor. Is more beneficial for skin than ct. Cineole or ct. Camphor. Has a more floral scent (similar to lavender).
Safety Safe and non-irritating. Acceptable for use with children over the age of 2.
Rosemary ct. Bornyl Acetate
- Joint and muscle pain relief
- Sedative effect
- Calms anxiety
- Eases stress
- Antifungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic
- Soothes rashes
- promotes skin cell regeneration
- Helps with bronchitis
- Eases breathing
How does it compare to others? Especially good for aches and pains and to treat arthritis and rheumatism