“Rosemary”
Rosemary is an excellent tonic and all-round stimulant that has always been regarded as uplifting and energising. Gerard said that it “comforteth the harte and maketh it merie”.
Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Common name: Rosemary
Family: Lamiaceae
Parts Used: Aerial Part – Harvest fresh all year round
Active Constituents:
- Phenolic acids
- Bitter substances
- Triterpenoid acids
- Flavonoids
- Volatile oil
Actions: 
- Carminative
- Spasmolytic, digestive / aromatic
- Antioxidant
- Antimicrobial
- Hepatoprotective
- Cholagogue
- Circulatory stimulant
- Stimulant – nervous & circulatory
- Thymoleptic?
- Cognition enhancer?
- Rubefacient
- TOPICALLY – Analgesic
“If thou be feeble boyle the leaves in cleane water and washe thyself and thou shalt be shiny… smell it oft and it shall keep thee youngly” – Banckes’ Herbal, 1525
Indications:
- Increasing mental alertness and memory
- Enhancing phase 1 and 2 detoxification by the liver
- Circulatory weakness
- Hypotension
- Headache
- Depression
- Debility
- Topical treatment for myalgia, sciatica
- Wound healing
- Locally hair wash and dandruff
- Traditionally prescribed to stimulate the mind, memory and senses
Hoffman suggests rosemary has a toning and calming effect on digestion along with being a circulatory and nerving stimulant. This indicates use in cases where psychological tension is present – flatulent dyspepsia, headache or depression associated with debility.
Contraindications: None Known
Cautions:
- Caution for women wishing to conceive, based on the cineole content in its essential oil
-
Potential interaction for concomitant administration of rosemary during iron intake – Separate doses
Dosage: 15-30ml of 1:2 FE per week
OTHER USES:
- INFUSION: Take a hot infusion for colds, influenza and indigestion. Also can be used as a stimulating drink for fatigue or headaches
- COMPRESS: Soak pad in hot infusion and use for sprains. Alternate 2 or 3 minutes of the hot compress with 2 or 3 minutes of applying ice pack to the injury
- HAIR RINSE: Use infusion as the final rinse for dandruff
- ESSENTIAL OIL: Add 10 drops in bath to soothe aching limbs or act as stimulant in nervous exhaustion
- MASSAGE OIL: Dilute 1ml Rosemary oil in 25ml almond oil and massage into aching joints and muscles or into scalp to stimulate hair growth. Use on temples for headaches.
- Combine with Oats, Skullcap or Vervain for depression/nervous exhaustion (Ody)
References & Links to Articles:
Ody, Penelope (1998). The Herb Society’s Complete Medicinal Herbal. Milan: Dorling Kindersley
Hoffman, D. (1990). Holistic Herbal. London: Thorsons
Materia Medica 