Rosemary Essential Oil

Latin name Rosmarinus officinalis – Family species Labiatae (Labiaceae)

Rosemary, also referred to as R. coronarium, Compass Plant, and Incensier, has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes. Rosemary essential oil blends well with many oils and has many applications.

Note, rosemary oil from Spain is said to not be as high of quality due to the distillation of the entire plant versus just the flowering tops.

Oil Selection Guide

Color – Clear (colorless) to pale yellow
Viscosity – Watery
Scent – Herby, strong, camphoraceous, refreshing with woody undertone
Perfume Aroma – Middle / top note

Oil Source Information

Plant Type – Herb
Parts Used – Leaves, twigs, flowers
Countries of Origin – Morocco, Spain, France, Tunisia, Japan, Italy, North Africa
Extraction Method – Steam distillation

Known Chemical Constituents

1,8-cineole, beta pinene, camphor, camphene, borneol, bornyl acetate, limonene, linalool, terpineol, octanone

Applications and Uses

Rosemary is used in aromatherapy and in the production of cosmetics, perfumes, detergents, soaps, and other household products. Found commercially in food, drinks, pharmaceutical, and veterinary products. Anecdotal information is that rosemary essential oil helps with memory and many people use it prior to exams and tests where recall is especially important. With its pleasant and refreshing scent, rosemary essential oil is a favorite around herbBee for meditation exercises and mindfulness practices in general.

Rosemary blends well with

Recipes and Ideas

Precautions / Contraindications

Sources recommend using rosemary oil only in moderation.
Rosemary essential oil can cause irritation to sensitive skin.
It has been stated that rosemary oil should not be used if epileptic, and that those suffering from high blood pressure should avoid rosemary essential oil.
See also Essential Oils Safety and Usage.

References and Resources

See Aromatherapy References and Resources page.