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Rosemary – [Rosmarinus Officinalis]

Rosemary was one of the earliest plants to have been used in medicine and also in cooking and religious rites. For example, in ancient Greece, it was believed that Rosemary strengthened the memory and brain. Greek students would braid Rosemary into their hair to help them with their exams. Rosemary was also recognized as the herb of remembrance, it was placed on the graves of English heroes.

Rosemary is produced mainly in France, Portugal and Spain, and the "former Yugoslavia."

When talking about Aromatherapy, Rosemary is probably one of the most important plants of the Labiatae family, second only to Lavender.

The medium to strong medicinal aroma of Rosemary makes it suitable for respiratory problems such as the common cold, catarrh, sinusitis or asthma. For these ailments it is best used as a steam inhalation – its ability to “clear the head” works on a physical and mental level.

The stimulant effect of Rosemary on the central nervous system is very marked and for this reason Rosemary is used where there is loss or reduction of functions such as loss of smell or for temporary paralysis where the motor nerves are affected.

Rosemary – general uses:

Aching muscles, arthritis, dandruff, dull skin, exhaustion, gout, hair care, muscle cramping, neuralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism.

Rosemary helps to lower cholesterol levels in the blood and is an excellent tonic for the heart, liver and gallbladder.

It is a good painkilling essential oil and useful in baths, compresses or massages to relieve pain from rheumatism or arthritis.

If you are planning to run a marathon massage your legs with a diluted solution of Rosemary before you go and afterwards to help those poor tired muscles.

Rosemary has been traditionally used in skin and hair care for hundreds of years. It is used in rinsing water for dark hair, and as a scalp friction, which is valuable for excessive hair loss or poor condition, especially when these follow a period of illness or convalescence.

Rosemary – exaggerated claims

It is reputed to restore colour to grey hair and even to cure baldness BUT before you rush out to buy gallons of it I think these claims are actually mythical – it has never been proved!!

Safety Data from Holistic Therapies Spain. Do not use during pregnancy, if you are epileptic or suffer from high blood pressure.