Rosemary essential oil
Element - Fire
Property - refreshing
Note - Head
Group - Essential oil
Synonym - Spanish rosemary, Moroccan rosemary
Botanical name - Rosmarinus officinalis
Plant family - Lamiaceae (labiates)
Contents
Botany
Botanical name
Rosmarinus officinalis
Plant family
Lamiaceae (labiates)
The labiate family (bot. Lamiaceae) includes 240 genera with around 7,200 species. Well-known species include mint, white deadnettle, lavender and sage. The plants are rich in essential oils and many species are used as aromatic plants or for medicinal purposes. Characteristic of the Lamiaceae family is the zygomorphic formation of the flowers in the upper and lower lip. Within the family, annual or perennial herbaceous plants are more common, some of which grow woody. They are distributed worldwide and grow in highly diverse locations.
Further information about the labiate plant family can be found at → at the Horstmann tree nursery
Origin & distribution
species of the family can be found all over the world. They live in almost all habitats, from lowlands to mountainous regions. In the Mediterranean region, the Lamiaceae have developed an extremely species-rich population. They are less common in tropical regions. They prefer an open location with plenty of sunshine in exposed locations.
Origin for the production of the oils
Depending on the chemotype, the plants originate from different areas. From the Mediterranean region of Spain, Bosnia, Italy, Corsica, Croatia to Spain, Tunisia ...
Plant part used
Rosemary essential oil is extracted from the tips of the plant's twigs.
Ingredients Rosemary essential oil
- Monoterpenes
- Sesquiterpenes
- Monoterpenols
- Phenols
- Ketones (Borneon - Camphor), (Verbenone)
- Ester
- Oxides (cineole)
- more
Warnings Rosemary essential oil
Chemotype Borneon
Internal use:
Do not use on pregnant women, infants and small children due to the possible high camphor content.
External application:
Use only the lowest concentrations (<0.5%) for infants.
It may possibly act as an antidote to homeopathic treatment.
Chemotype Cineol
The oil may only be used during pregnancy under expert supervision. Not for infants and small children and not for the Internal use suitable.
External application:
Use only the lowest concentrations for infants. And only carefully and under expert supervision.
Contraindication:
The use of rosemary is contraindicated in cases of high blood pressure, both internally and externally. Especially when used as a bath oil, the absorption through the skin and the increase in blood circulation and blood pressure is extremely high. Epileptics should also refrain from using rosemary essential oil.
Chemotype Verbenone, Bornyl acetate
Do not use during pregnancy due to the ketone content, not for children under 12 years of age, not for the Internal use suitable for pregnant women, infants and small children.
External application:
Use only the lowest concentrations for infants.
Background
The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the leaves and flowers of Rosmarinus officinalis. The chemotype cineole is commonly referred to as rosemary. The herb was sacred to some Mediterranean peoples and was used as incense in religious ceremonies. It was also used as protection against evil spirits. Rosemary is also an important spice in the preparation of fatty dishes and vegetable stews.
Rosemary essential oil can be divided into 3 groups according to the predominant chemotype.
The Borneon chemotype is particularly suitable for use with nerve and muscle complaints.
The chemotype cineole is the essential oil, which is generally referred to as rosemary oil.
The chemotype verbenone, bornyl acetate is very often used in aromatherapy. It has strong regenerative properties
Aroma
Grade
The perfumery counts rosemary essential oil among the Top notes.
Top notes
The top note describes aromas that are perceived immediately after opening the container. The top note conveys the first and often the decisive impression of a fragrance composition. They are often citrusy, green, fresh and Airy fragrances. The volatile fragrance molecules that open the door to the next fragrance phases evaporate very quickly. Already 10 - 15 minutes After application, there is hardly anything left of the top note fragrance.
You can find more interesting information on this in the article "→ World of fragrances".
Fragrance
woody, camphoraceous, herbaceous
Mixes well with...
Carrier oils
Possible carrier oils depend on several criteria such as skin type and effect. Below I list some neutral carrier oils that can be used well because they are odorless and generally well tolerated.
You can find a wider selection of carrier oils in the → Aromatrix
Body, mind & soul
In the Body, Mind & Soul section, a possible therapeutic use of essential oils is described. An attempt is made to make both the Western and the Eastern perspective transparent.
The Western approach can be found under Effect and use differentiated according to body and mind & soul. For comparison, the Eastern approach describes the chakras and functional areas.
Western approach
This section is written for the aroma therapy expert:
Effect
BODY
Chemotype Borneon
astringent, stimulating, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, expectorant, antiflatulent, antihypertensive, circulatory stimulant, decongestant, stimulating bile production and flow, heart-strengthening, antispasmodic, lung-strengthening, stomach-strengthening, menstruation-inducing, menstruation-regulating, neuromuscular-stimulating, expectorant, pain-relieving, diaphoretic
Chemotype Cineol
astringent, sexually stimulating, antibacterial (Staphylococcus aureus), antifungal, antiseptic, aquaretic, expectorant, antiflatulent, hypertensive, circulatory stimulant, detoxifying, fungicidal (Candida albicans), bile flow stimulant, diuretic, heart stimulant, immune booster, tonic, antispasmodic, liver stimulant, stomach stimulant, menstrual stimulant, prevents scarring, strong expectorant, analgesic, diaphoretic, stone dissolving, digestive stimulant, wound healing
Chemotype Verbenone, Bornyl acetate
antibacterial, expectorant, decongestant, bile stimulant, liver strengthening, heart strengthening, antispasmodic, expectorant, cell renewing
Mind & Soul
Chemotype Borneon
strongly stimulating, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, invigorating, strengthening
Chemotype Cineol
promotes concentration, strengthens nerves, invigorating
Chemotype Verbenone, Bornyl acetate
refreshing, invigorating, promotes concentration
Use
BODY
Chemotype Borneon
Acne, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, respiratory diseases, flatulence, low blood pressure, bronchitis, chronic gallbladder inflammation, gallbladder weakness, inflammation of the colon mucosa, colds, gout, flu, hair growth promotion, oily and sagging skin, skin problems, cardiac arrhythmia, sciatica, headaches, varicose veins, circulatory disorders, liver weakness, lung problems, tonsillitis, muscle cramps, muscle pain, sinusitis, neuritis, oedema, rheumatism, colds, dandruff, tendinitis, digestive disorders, dyspersia, sprains, cuts
Chemotype Cineol
Prevention of respiratory diseases, arteriosclerosis, asthma, flatulence, low blood pressure, acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, diarrhea, inflammation of the large and small intestine, colds, physical exhaustion, flatulence, gallstones, jaundice, joint pain, gout, flu, greasy hair, hair loss, urinary bladder inflammation, skin care, palpitations, cough, whooping cough, headaches, scabies, liver complaints, nerve pain, ear inflammation, rheumatism, chills, dandruff, scalds, indigestion, injuries, wounds
Chemotype Verbenone, Bornyl acetate
Acne, angina pectoris, respiratory diseases, spider veins, low blood pressure, bronchitis, couperose (enlarged pores and veins in the skin), physical exhaustion, gallbladder weakness, dry hair, dry skin, skin care, chronic skin problems, heart palpitations, cardiac arrhythmia, viral infections, headaches, liver weakness, migraines, scars, sinusitis, ear infections, colds, wounds
Mind & Soul
Chemotype Borneon
Lack of motivation, mental exhaustion, memory problems
Chemotype Cineol
Mental exhaustion, hysteria, fatigue, nervous disorders, fainting, weakness, stress-related complaints
Chemotype Verbenone, Bornyl acetate
Depression, mental exhaustion, fatigue
Eastern approach
This section is written for the TCM expert:
Rosemary essential oil tonifies the heart yang and connects with the higher self.
5 elements
Element fire
Rosemary essential oil is associated with the element of fire.
The element assignment of an essential oil is determined by the →Aroma profile and the direction of action. Rosemary essential oil has mainly yang components. It is used as Yang classified.
Chakras
Several chakras (3rd, 6th and 7th chakra)
Rosemary essential oil is associated with the navel, forehead and cone chakra (3rd, 6th and 7th chakra).
A detailed explanation can be found in the following article: → Etheric oils & chakras
Functional areas
Qi deficiency
- tonifies the Qi, especially the Qi of the ancestors, and promotes perspiration: Colds and flu with fatigue, pain, fear of colds and coughs, blocked sinuses, chronic bronchitis, asthma, catarrhal cough, bronchitis
- tonifies the yang, tonifies the blood: poor eyesight, weak knees, lumbar pain, low sexual energy, impotence, infertility, scanty or copious clear urine, amenorrhea, PMS
- rectifies the joints: Muscle stiffness, cramps and pain, cold, cramping joints, pain that does not move
- reduces infections and promotes tissue repair: General infections, chronic candidiasis, lice, scabies, tissue trauma, wounds, burns
- normalizes the intention, strengthens the memory, liberates and awakens the spirit: Lack of concentration, poor memory, absent-mindedness, lack of self-esteem and self-confidence, shyness, complacency, mental dullness, apathy
- tones the heart: Mental and physical pain of the heart, heart fatigue, palpitations, anemia, low blood pressure, chills, cold hands and feet, hypothermia
- strengthens the stomach and spleen: Loss of appetite, dyspepsia, flatulence, bloating, indigestion, gurgling stomach, colitis, blood sugar disorders, hyperglycemia
Main use:
lethargic, pale, sweaty, sad
Psycho-emotional representation:
feeling uncomfortable and unable to connect with others, sad, unhappy and disappointed
Sources:
Icon by Olena Panasovska from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
Texts are based on the following publications:
Pocket dictionary of aromatherapy by Dietrich Wabner, Verlag Systemisch Medizin, 2013
Aromatherapy with Chinese Medicine by Dennis Willmont, Willmountain Press, 2003
Applications
Warming rosemary massage oil
5 ELEMENTS APPLICATION
Warming massage oil with rosemary essential oil to relieve pain and detoxify.
