There’s so much more to rosemary than using it as a seasoning for roast chicken and potatoes. The herb has now joined the ranks of essential oils for health and wellness.
People are using rosemary essential oil for the variety of mental and physical benefits it appears to provide, from boosting your memory to reducing pain. So we had to dig into the topic a little more, and share with you what we found out all about rosemary essential oil.
"I wanted to let you know I used the (Rosemary Mint Shampoo) because I had weight loss surgery 3 years ago and my hair thinned out so much and your shampoo is a game changer. My hair feels fuller, feels healthier and the grey that was showing up because my hair wasn't healthy seems to have lessened." - Kim C. |
How is Rosemary Essential Oil Created?
Rosemary essential oil is made directly from the plant’s essence, or its core components.
The essential oil is made by harvesting the plant, and extracting the oil by distilling the plant’s leaves and flowering tops with steam. After distillation, the oil looks pale yellow or colorless, and has a watery viscosity.
Rosemary essential oil has a powerful yet refreshing herbaceous scent. It’s similar to mint (it’s actually a member of the mint family), with a woodsy and balsamic undertone.
"I purchased the Rosemary Mint deodorant. It is clean, fresh, and very long lasting scent. I love this product. It contains natural ingredients that are good for my skin." - Jamey H. |
What is the History of Rosemary Essential Oil?
Rosmarinus officinalis, aka rosemary, is an evergreen perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean area and Western Asia. It tolerates heat and drought, and for this reason, it has been cultivated around the world.
Rosemary’s history goes back more than 5,000 years, when the first references to it were made in cuneiform writing on stone tablets. In Ancient Egypt, bouquets of rosemary were placed in tombs to scent the departed individual’s journey to the afterlife.
The Greeks used rosemary, too: as an aphrodisiac and by weaving the stems into crowns they would wear on their heads to increase their memory.
Rosemary was also popular among pilgrims in the Middle Ages, who used it for its soothing properties after walking for miles.
Since then, rosemary has been used in folk medicine to alleviate:
- Epilepsy
- Agitation
- Depression
- Hysteria
- Headaches
- Stomach aches
- Menstrual cramps
- Rheumatic pain
- Physical and mental fatigue
"Smooth, lovely scent and a deep clean without drying out my hands. (Rosemary Mint Liquid Goat Milk Soap)" - Jane F. |
What are the Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil?
Rosemary essential oil is made up of many chemical compounds that may help boost your mood, fight bacteria, and inhibit oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals in your body.
Here are a few of its main compounds:
- 1,8-cineole: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
- α-pinene: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
- β-pinene: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
- Carnosol: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogen
- Caffeic acid: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
- Ursolic acid: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant
Let’s take a closer look at specific benefits now.
- Rosemary essential oil may enhance memory. Rosemary essential oil has been associated with improved cognition when it’s inhaled. One study evaluated the cognitive function of 144 participants after they used rosemary oil as aromatherapy. The study’s results suggest rosemary significantly enhanced the quality of memory, and increased mental alertness.
- Rosemary essential oil may enhance hair growth. If you’re struggling with thinning hair or male pattern baldness, rosemary essential oil may be an option for you. Results of a six-month study suggest rosemary may be as effective as a popular hair growth treatment when it’s applied topically to grow scalp hair.
- Rosemary essential oil may reduce pain. When used by itself and with other analgesics, rosemary essential oil has been shown to decrease pain. It appears to alleviate specific kinds of pain, such menstrual cramps, pain related to osteoarthritis, and neurologic pain in people living with diabetes.
- Rosemary essential oil may repel insects. Insect repellents are great because they do keep insects away, but what’s no so great is the ingredient some of them contain: DEET. This ingredient is toxic if it’s ingested. The good news is, rosemary essential oil is a non-toxic alternative for keeping bugs at bay.
- Rosemary essential oil may alleviate stress. Tough day at work? Deadlines piling up? Reach for rosemary essential oil. Research suggests that inhaling it promotes antioxidant activity and lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol. You can inhale rosemary essential oil by simply opening the bottle and breathing in, or by using an essential oil diffuser.
- Rosemary essential oil may reduce Alzheimer’s disease. Initial studies suggest rosemary essential oil may help prevent or improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. One study looked at a compound in rosemary, phenolic diterpenes. The results of that research suggest it prevents the death of neurons and may guard against Alzheimer’s disease. Yet another study, which examined the effects of rosemary oil aromatherapy on 28 patients living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, found its properties may prevent and slow the progression of the disease.
"My skin is sensitive and I break out easily. This includes my scalp. The Rosemary Mint Shampoo lathers beautifully and my scalp is not only clean, but no breakout." - Patricia B. |
What Goat Milk Products Contain Rosemary Essential Oil?
If you don’t like using essential oils straight out of the bottle, good news: you can still enjoy the benefits of rosemary essential oil, incorporated in goat milk products.
Rosemary essential oil is added to Rosemary Mint Goat Milk Soap. Lather up with rich and creamy goat milk soap filled with good-for-you ingredients that will replenish your skin, not irritate it. Inhale the fragrance of rosemary and mint to feel like you’re at the spa.
"This soap (Rosemary Mint) leaves me feeling clean, smelling great, and even cools my body with a tingly mint feel. I love it!" - Denise S. |
Rosemary essential oil is added to Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar. We already mentioned how rosemary may aid hair growth, and what better way to use rosemary to achieve that goal than with a Rosemary Mint shampoo bar? Made with natural ingredients to leave your hair fresh and clean, you get the benefit of a lively and uplifting scent that blends fresh spearmint with tinges of peppermint, as well as rosemary.
"This is the only shampoo I’ve used for years (Rosemary Mint). Amazing smell and long lasting bars. Leaves my head squeaky clean and moisturized." - David S. |
Rosemary essential oil is added to Rosemary Mint Natural Deodorant. Keep feeling and smelling fresh all day with a deodorant made with simple, natural ingredients. Rosemary Mint Natural Deodorant works to minimize odors caused by sweat instead of acting as a pore-clogging antiperspirant. Derive the full benefits of this natural deodorant by reapplying it after a few hours during a hot or physically demanding (i.e., sweaty) day.
"I love this scent (Rosemary Mint)! It has a slight cooling feeling when I put it on. It keeps me dry all day." - Sally E. |
Rosemary essential oil is added to Rosemary Mint Liquid Goat Milk Soap. Wash away dirt and grime and leave your hands feeling soft and smelling great with Rosemary Mint Liquid Goat Milk Soap. Foamy and gentle on your skin, this liquid soap is safe for your face, hands, and body. It’s made with natural ingredients that provide a bright and refreshing scent.
"I love this liquid soap (Rosemary Mint). It smells so good and feels so soft on my hands after rinsing it off. No lotion needed. It’s a great alternative to the bar soaps at any sink in the house." - Debra W. |
Is Rosemary Essential Oil Safe to Ingest?
When it comes to ingesting rosemary essential oil, you’re probably better off not doing so, even if the product label says it’s safe to consume.
When ingested, rosemary essential oil may cause uterine bleeding, an upset stomach, increased sensitivity to sunlight and other allergic reactions, and it may irritate your urinary system.
If you’re on blood thinners or medication for diabetes or blood pressure, please talk to your doctor first, since ingested rosemary essential oil may interact with certain medications.
Use only a few drops of rosemary essential oil at a time, since it’s very concentrated. If you’re applying it to your skin, dilute it with a neutral carrier oil, like coconut oil, to avoid irritation.
Adults can use three to six drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil. Rub it into the areas that need relief, but avoid applying it to damaged skin, which can cause irritation.
Is Rosemary Essential Oil Safe to Use on Your Skin?
When used topically, or inhaled as aromatherapy, rosemary essential oil is generally safe. Just like any product you apply to your skin, however, it’s possible you may experience an allergic reaction, so start with a small amount at first to see how you react to it. If you have an adverse reaction, stop using it.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use rosemary essential oil on their skin.
"All the products I used so far are just amazing. The Rosemary Mint is by far one of my favorites." - Terry B. |
Research has suggested that rosemary essential oil may provide a variety of benefits, from pain relief to promoting hair growth. It smells good, too, so it’s easy to see its appeal.
The only way to determine if it works for you is to try it, and now that’s easier than ever with our products made with rosemary essential oil. No need to track down a carrier oil to dilute its concentration, these products made with natural ingredients do the work for you as they cleanse, soothe, and provide an uplifting scent.