Invigorating. Refreshing. Stimulating. These are the first three words that come to mind when I think of Rosemary Essential Oil. When I was first exploring aromatherapy back in the 1990s, Rosemary Oil took me by surprise. I was expecting it to smell closely to the freshly cut herb, but Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosmarinus officinalis var camphor) smells much more camphorous. As with other oils that contain camphor, Rosemary is helpful in massage and arthritis blends and can help improve circulation. It is useful for respiratory issues and makes a good expectorant/decongestant.

Rosemary has an excellent reputation for oily skin/acne, scalp and hair care, and I have repeatedly read that Rosemary Oil can be helpful with alopecia (hair loss).

Rosemary is quite stimulating and is heralded for help in memory retention and staying focused and alert. Rosemary is a good choice for blends for driving long distances and for long study sessions.

Several important Rosemary chemotypes are worth paying close attention to:

Rosemary Verbenone Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis var verbenoneaka Rosmarinus officinalis ct. verbenone) contains less camphor. The aroma is more herbaceous and is preferred by many.

Rosemary Cineole Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis var cineoleaka Rosmarinus officinalis ct. cineole) is sometimes preferred for use in respiratory and circulatory issues.

Aids in Digestion

Rosemary oil is often used for curing indigestion, relieving flatulence, stomach cramps, constipation, and bloating. This essential oil is also thought to relieve symptoms of dyspepsia and is an appetite stimulant. Furthermore, research has shown the essential oil to be detoxifying for the liver, and it also helps to regulate the creation and release of bile, which is a key part of the digestive process. It also stimulates blood flow and improves circulation, which can benefit the absorption of nutrients from food. Rosemary leaves are often added to meat dishes because it is particularly helpful in digesting meat, lamb, beef, and pork.

Hair Care

Rosemary oil and rosemary teas are widely used for hair care in shampoos and lotions. Regular use of rosemary oil helps stimulate follicles, making hair grow longer and stronger. It is also believed that rosemary oil slows down premature hair loss and graying of the hair. Therefore, it is an excellent tonic for bald people or for those who are beginning to show signs of male pattern baldness.

Rosemary essential oil is also beneficial for dry and flaky scalps. Regular massaging of the scalp with rosemary oil nourishes the scalp and removes dandruff. Furthermore, it is often mixed with tea tree oil and basil oil to alternately treat scalp problems. For many years, Rosemary has been combined with olive oil as a way to darken and strengthen hair by using hot oil treatments.

Improves Oral Health

Rosemary essential oil is a disinfectant and is often used as a mouthwash. It also helps in removing bad breath. By removing oral bacteria, rosemary essential oil can prevent gingivitis, cavities, plaque build-up, and other damaging dental conditions.

Skin Care

Rosemary essential oil is not used in skin care as extensively as it is used in hair care, but it does have antimicrobial and antiseptic qualities that make it beneficial in efforts to eliminate eczema, dermatitis, oily skin, and acne. Topical application of the essential oil or a regular massage with the oil helps in toning the skin and removing dryness. It can also give your skin a healthy, even glow when regularly applied or when it is the main component of your moisturizer and other creams.

Improves Cognitive Function

Rosemary essential oil is an excellent brain and nerve tonic. It is often used by students during exams because it increases concentration and helps in studying efficiently. It stimulates mental activity and is a good remedy for depression, mental fatigue, and forgetfulness. Inhaling rosemary oil seems to lift your spirits immediately. Whenever your brain is tired, try inhaling a little rosemary oil to remove boredom and renew your mental energy.

In a 2003 study, researchers found that of 144 test participants who inhaled rosemary oil during an exam displayed significantly higher cognitive function. This is why some researchers are beginning to explore the options for using rosemary oil as an alternative treatment for slowing down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in certain patients because of this apparent connection between boosted neural activity and the essential oil.

Relieves Stress

Apart from the relaxing nature of aromatherapy and general inhalation of rosemary essential oil, it has been proven to decrease the level of cortisol in the saliva. Cortisol is one of the main stress hormones that are released during the “flight or fight” response of the body to stress. Excess cortisol in the blood that may occur due to chronic stress can wreak havoc on the body, including its hormonal balance and the efficiency of the metabolism. A study released in 2007 said that inhaling rosemary oil and lavender oil for five minutes significantly reduced the levels of cortisol in the test subject’s saliva, which could decrease the inherent dangers of chronic stress.

Boosts Immune System

Antioxidants are some of the most valuable defensive weapons we have in our body for fighting off infection and diseases, so any food or essential oil that either adds to or stimulates the activity of antioxidants is a huge benefit to overall health. The same study which found that cortisol levels decreased after simultaneous massage and inhalation of rosemary essential oil also found that the scavenging free radical activity in the test subjects’ bodies also increased significantly. This means that a regular use or inhalation of rosemary essential oil in aromatherapy sessions or in other ways can increase the strength of the immune system and help combat all the diseases associated with free radicals, including cancer and heart diseases.

Relieves Pain

The ability of rosemary essential oil to relieve pain has resulted in its extensive use in treating headaches, muscle pains, rheumatism, and even arthritis. Massaging the affected area that is in pain with rosemary essential oil can quickly relieve the pain. Vapor baths with rosemary oil are also found to be effective in the treatment of rheumatism. It has certain anti-inflammatory qualities as well, which makes it very good for relieving the pain from sprains and joint aches. Furthermore, it is known to stimulate blood circulation, which can reduce pain and also aid in coagulation of wounds for faster healing.

Removes Bad Odor

Rosemary has a mesmerizing aroma, which makes rosemary essential oil an excellent inhalant. The oil is used in room fresheners, cosmetics, beauty aids, foods, bath oils, candles, and perfumes because of its unique and intoxicating aroma. When the oil is inhaled, it can boost mental energy and is also known to clear the respiratory tract. Many people use a mixture of rosemary essential oil and water as an air freshener to remove bad odor from the house.

Prevents STDs

Recent research suggests that the antimicrobial qualities of rosemary essential oil can help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and recurring inflammation of the herpes virus. The herpes virus can quickly develop immunity to normal antiviral medication, so alternative methods are always being explored. A number of studies have now shown the essential oil of rosemary to be an effective option for reducing the symptoms of the Herpes virus in test subjects, and even affects the level of contagiousness of the virus.

Treats Respiratory Problems

The benefits of rosemary essential oil in treating respiratory problems are well-researched and supported. The scent of the oil has been shown to give relief from throat congestion, and it is also used in the treatment of respiratory allergies, colds, sore throats, and flu. Since rosemary oil also has antiseptic qualities, it is also effective for respiratory infections. The oil is antispasmodic and is, therefore, used in treatments for bronchial asthma.