The essential oil of rosemary, one of the most popular and well-known essential oils, is extracted from Rosmarinus officinalis, from the flowering tops in the process of steam distillation. This wooded evergreen shrub is native to the mediterranean region and it is part of the mint family, with a woody, evergreen-like scent.

Rosemary was actually considered sacred and highly valuable amongst the Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks and the Romans as they believed it could ward off evil spirits and protect against the plague.

Today, its benefits extend to skin and hair care products and it is full of antioxidants, thus it is also known for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, making this oil a powerful one. Read on to find out more about the health benefits of the wonderful and magical rosemary essential oil!

Health Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil:

1. To Promote Hair Health

Rosemary oil is widely used for hair care because it helps to stimulate the hair follicles to promote hair growth and it strengthens the hair. It is also widely believed to be able to prevent hair loss and prevent balding as well as the greying of hair, thus serving as an excellent hair tonic.

Additionally, it can also be used to treat dandruff and dry, flaky scalp as it moisturizes the hair and nourishes the scalp.

How to Use it: You can combine rosemary oil with equal parts of olive oil and massage onto the scalp and hair to promote hair growth, strengthen hair and to prevent dry scalp. You can even mix it with tea tree and basil essential oils, together with olive oil to treat scalp problems.

2. Improves Memory

Rosemary oil has been used by Greek scholars to enhance and boost their memory levels while they were taking exams. As such, rosemary oil is also a potent tool to help improve memory levels and boost concentration as well as focus, perfect for those who need to take important exams or carry out important tasks/decisions.

A 2003 study published in The International Journal of Neuroscience found that rosemary actually produced a significant enhancement of performance for overall quality of memory factors and it boosted alert levels in the volunteers who took part in the study.

In fact, its effects on memory are quite far-reaching in that it also helps patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. A 2009 study published in Psychogeriatrics: The Official Journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society found that a mix of rosemary lemon, lavender and orange essential oils resulted in significant improvement in cognitive function and mental orientation.

As such, it can be an efficacious tool to strengthen memory levels and help treat as well as prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as aromatherapy can have great potential in improving cognitive function.

How to Use it: You can either diffuse rosemary oil in your diffuser or vaporizer and place it in your room, inhale it directly from the bottle in small dosages or rub over your temples. However, if you wish to rub it over your temples, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil first. You can also mix 3 drops of rosemary oil with ½ tablespoon of coconut oil and rub on upper neck area.

3. Boosts Immunity Levels

Due to the rich presence of antioxidants in rosemary oil, it helps to boost immunity levels as it helps fight off free radical damage and any infections or diseases. A 2007 study carried out by researchers from the School of Dentistry in Meikai University in Japan found that both lavender and rosemary essential oils are able to decrease cortisol levels, which is the primary stress hormone in the body, thus protecting the body from oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance and improper metabolism levels too! This helps protects the body from chronic diseases.

How to Use it: You can diffuse the oil in your diffuser or vaporizer regularly as regular inhalation can help you reap the immunity benefits of rosemary oil. You can also add about 4-5 drops of it into a tub of warm, bathing water to soak inside for you to reduce stress, thus strengthening your immune system in the process as well.

4. Promotes Detoxification

Rosemary oil is also an effective detoxifying agent. Rosemary stimulates the flow of bile, thus ensuring that the gallbladder is functioning properly. As such, proper peristaltic activity is facilitated and when this happens, it boosts proper breakdown of foods and nutrient absorption into the bloodstream.

With a detoxification process, it also helps to prevent the buildup and accumulation of toxic substances, thus maintaining the smooth functioning of the bodily processes in your body.

How to Use it: You can actually perform a relaxing and cleansing lymphatic massage using rosemary essential oil because our lymphatic system is the one that helps clear our body of waste. Dilute a few drops of rosemary oil with a carrier oil (such as grapeseed, olive, jojoba or sweet almond oils) in a 1:1 ratio and rub your arms to the lymph nodes located in your armpits. Also, from the chest area, rub towards the armpits and then to the neck area. You can also massage your legs from your feet to the groin area. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of the oil in a tub of warm, bathing water to soak inside.

5. Provides Pain Relief

Rosemary essential oil is also a great pain relief agent, perfect for those who are experiencing sore, stiff joints and painful muscle aches brought about by a strenuous workout session, arthritis or rheumatism. With anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to soothe inflamed muscles. Furthermore, it can stimulate blood circulation to these affected areas, thus helping to relieve the pain associated from such conditions.

How to Use it: You can mix 2 drops of rosemary oil with 2 drops of peppermint oil and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Gently massage this mixture on sore muscles and painful joints.

6. As a Potent Insect Repellent

With its sweet and fragrant scent that is able to repel off insects, bugs and other unwanted creepy crawlies, rosemary essential oil makes for an effective insecticide agent and room freshener! This is especially useful and a much better alternative than synthetic and commercial pesticides available in stores, because those are harmful not only for our health, but also to the environment!

Rosemary can effectively ward off insects and other parasites away from our houses, thus maintaining a clean and fresh home environment. Not only that, it can help get rid of foul smells and odours that are lingering, replacing it with a fresh, rejuvenating and welcoming scent instead.

How to Use it: For an all-natural insect repellent, you can mix 10 drops of rosemary, peppermint, thyme and clove essential oils each in a spray bottle containing water. Spray on your garden to prevent and ward off insects and fungus. If you do not have the other oils, you can also choose to add rosemary essential oil into a spritz bottle containing water, and it’ll do the trick too!

Safety Precautions:

• Rosemary oil should not be ingested because it is volatile in nature, thus it can cause vomiting and spasms.

• Pregnant and nursing women should avoid using rosemary essential oil.

• Do not use rosemary essential oil on children under 4 years of age.

• Be sure to dilute the oil with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio before topical application onto the skin.

• Perform a skin patch test first to ensure there are no sensitive or allergic reactions.

• Always check with your doctor first before using essential oils to alleviate Alzheimer’s disease or dementia as using the oil without professional advice and supervision might lead to some serious consequences.

Rosemary oil blends well with basil, frankincense, thyme, citronella, chamomile, lemongrass, lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils.

References:

Moss M, et al., “Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults”, The International Journal of Neuroscience (2003); 113(1)

Jimbo D, et al., “Effect of aromatherapy on patients with Alzheimer’s disease”, Psychogeriatrics (2009); 9(4)

Toshiko Atsumi, Keiichi Tonosaki, “Smelling lavender and rosemary increases free radical scavenging activity and decreases cortisol level in saliva”, Psychiatry Research (2007); 150(1)