Brides wore rosemary wreaths and carried rosemary bouquets to show that they would always remember their families...

Rosemary is a stimulating, soothing and uplifting oil with a strong, fresh, minty-herbaceous scent.

Nature: uplifting, stimulating, soothing  

This warming and purifying oil improves circulation, digestion and helps remove cellulite and lymphatic deposits from the body.

Ideal as a hair and scalp tonic; when added to shampoo it stimulates the circulation to the scalp.

Principal Actions:  Diverse uses for skin, scalp and hair care; stimulant for circulation, adrenal glands and nervous system; purifying for fluid retention.

Practical Uses

Methods of Use: skin oil/lotion, aroma lamp, bath, cold compress, diffuser, inhalation, massage, mist spray, steam inhalation, steam room and sauna

Skin Care with Rosemary

Rosemary has strong astringent properties that are purifying for all skin and hair types; it is especially helpful for oily skin and hair, dandruff, head lice and as an insect repellent. It promotes growth of healthy hair and can be used in rinse water for dark hair.  

Astringent blend for Acne: Mix 2 drops rosemary, 2 drops juniper berry, 2 drops patchouli, 2 drops thyme into 20ml/4tsp of grapeseed carrier oil. Apply to freshly cleaned skin. Alternate oils that have astringent properties are: benzoin, cedarwood, clove bud, rose, sandalwood and vetiver.

Add shine to your hair: Mix 5 drops rosemary, 5 drops lemon into 20ml/4 tsp cider vinegar and work thoroughly through the scalp and hair.

Rosemary stimulates the scalp, promotes hair growth, controls dandruff and regulates seborrhea.

To Promote Hair Growth: Mix 3 drops rosemary, 4 drops geranium, 4 drops lavender, 2 drops ginger, 4 drops cypress into 50ml warm water and rub this gently on to the scalp. Repeat daily. Alternative oils are: basil, juniper berry and neroli.

For Dandruff: Mix 5 drops rosemary, 3 drops sage and 5 drops thyme into 20ml/4tsp grapeseed oil and rub this gently into the scalp. Repeat daily. Alternative oils are: cypress, lemon and lime.

For a Beard:  Mix 5 drops rosemary, 5 drops lemon, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops  thyme into 20ml/4 tsp either sweet almond or jojoba oil and massage gently through the  beard.

Circulation, Muscles and Joints

Rosemary oil is warm and penetrating for massage to ease muscular aches and pains, poor circulation rheumatism and painful menstruation.  

The anti-inflammatory actions of rosemary are useful in cases of gout, muscular pains, otitis (infections of the outer ear canal) and rheumatism.

For Gout: Mix 4 drops rosemary, 4 drops Roman chamomile, 2 drops Scots pine in a bath, or into a bowl large enough to set the affected foot comfortably in. Soak for 15 minutes.  Alternate oils that can be used:  basil, cinnamon leaf, cajeput, fennel, lemon, thyme.

For Rheumatism: (to ease the pain and swelling) Mix 2 drops rosemary, 4 drops Roman chamomile, 2 drops coriander 2 drops cypress in 20ml/4tsp sunflower or borage seed carrier oil. Note: in cases of nut allergies, do not use sunflower carrier oil.

For Tired, Aching or Cramping Muscles: Mix 3 drops rosemary, 3 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops thyme, 2 drops cypress in 20ml/4tsp carrier oil and massage into the affected muscles.

For Muscle Fatigue: Mix: 10 drops rosemary, 10 drops grapefruit, 5 drops thyme, 5 drops cypress into a small glass bottle. Add 5 drops of this blend into a bath. Soak for 15 minutes. Add 10 drops of this blend into 20ml/4tsp carrier oil for massage. Alternate oils that could be used: nutmeg or eucalyptus.  

Rosemary is a strong decongestant (venous), particularly helpful for arteriosclerosis, fluid retention, migraine, headache, poor circulation, and bruises.

Arteriosclerosis: Note: the oils with the desired properties are specified here using both their common and Latin names.  Mix 4 drops rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. cineole, ct. camphor) [venous decongestant], 2 drops basil (Ocimum basilicum) [cardiotonic], 2 drops Atlas cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) [a noted arterial regenerator] and 2 drops juniper twig (Juniperus communis ram) in 20ml/4tsp sunflower carrier oil. Use in full body massage.

Cellulite:  Mix 5 drops rosemary, 5 drops juniper berry, 10 drops lemon, 10 drops geranium into a small glass bottle. Add 5 drops of this blend into a bath. Soak for 15 minutes. Add 10 drops of this blend into 20ml/4tsp carrier oil and massage into the affected areas regularly.

Rosemary is a noted cardiotonic for palpitations and a weak heart.

For Palpitations: Mix 4 drops rosemary, 4 drops peppermint, 10 drops neroli, 4 drops sweet marjoram into a small glass bottle. Use the blended oils as an inhalant. Add 10 drops of this blend to 20ml/4tsp carrier oil and massage into the chest area. Alternate oils that can be used: orange, fennel, melissa or aniseed.

Respiratory System

Rosemary is effective for asthma, bronchitis and whooping cough.

To ease coughs (including whooping cough): Note: the oils with the desired properties are specified here using both their common and Latin names.  Mix:  5 drops rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. cineole, ct. camphor), 5 drops ravensara (Ravensara aromatic), 5 drops sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana), 2 drops cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), 5 drops immortelle (Helichrysum angustifolium) and 5 drops elecampane (Inula graveolens)

Digestive System

Rosemary is detoxicant and diuretic, with an affinity for supporting functions of the liver and gallbladder. It is particularly helpful for hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, enlarged liver and gallbladder malfunction.

Rosemary is a digestive, helping to ease discomfort from indigestion, painful digestion, sluggish digestion, colitis, constipation, and diarrhoea; the carminative properties of rosemary aid in flatulence.

To ease flatulence and/or constipation: Mix 3 drops rosemary, 3 drops ginger, 2 drops dill, 2 drops fennel into 20ml/4tsp carrier oil and gently massage abdomen using clockwise strokes.  Alternate oils that could be used: basil, garden savory or spearmint.

Genito-urinary System

The anti-inflammatory actions of rosemary are useful in cases of cystitis, and the analgesic action is helpful in painful menstruation.

For Cystitis: Mix the following oils and use in a sitz bath: 5 drops rosemary, 5 drops hyssop, 5 drops savory.

Immune System

Rosemary has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties that can be included in blends for colds, flu and infections.

Nervous System

The stimulating and uplifting qualities of rosemary help with mental fatigue / strain and depression. It gives strength and power to our thinking, sight, memory and speech while enhancing creativity.

A brief inhalation of rosemary helps clear the mind and strengthen the memory before an exam.

Rosemary in Aromatherapy  

Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis    

Note: Middle - 21    

Parts Used: entire herb that grows above ground

Source: steam distillation of the fresh, flowering tops of the shrubby evergreen herb native to the Mediterranean region. The main oil producing countries are France, Spain and Tunisia.    

Description and Odor Effect: a colorless or pale yellow liquid with a piercing, fresh herbaceous scent. Poor quality oils smell camphoraceous, like eucalyptus. Its odor effect is refreshing, and mentally stimulating, but with a warming quality.

Blends well with: basil, bergamot, citrus, cedarwood, citronella, coriander, lavender, lavandin, lemon, lemongrass, oregano, peppermint, petitgrain, pine, thyme, cinnamon and other spice oils

Applications: massage, inhalation, bath, body oil, hair tonic, vaporise, cold compress, add to sports rubs

Therapeutic Properties: analgesic, antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, antineuralgic, antioxidant, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, antitussive, antiviral, aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, choleretic, cicatrizant, cordial, cytophylactic, decongestant (liver), detoxifier, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hepatic, hypertensor, insecticide (strong), invigorating, laxative, nervine, parasiticide, pectoral, rejuvenator (skin cells), resolvent, reviving, rubefacient, stimulant (adrenal glands and nerves), stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vulnerary, warming

Safety Data: Non-toxic, nonirritant and non-sensitizing; safe for all skin types. Rosemary is a very powerful oil - use small amounts. Avoid during pregnancy. Rosemary oil should be avoided by people prone to epileptic seizures due to its high camphor content. Keep out of reach of children. If nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use.

Rosemary – Quick Reference

Skin Care: acne, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, greasy hair, insect repellent, promotes hair growth, regulates seborrhoea, scabies, stimulates scalp, lice, varicose veins

Circulation, Muscles, Joints: arteriosclerosis, fluid retention, gout, muscular pain, palpitations, poor circulation, rheumatism

Respiratory: asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough

Digestive: colitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, hepatic disorders, hyper cholesterol, anemia, jaundice

Genito-urinary: dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation), leucorrhoea

Immune: colds, influenza, infections

Nervous: debility, headaches, hypotension, neuralgia, mental fatigue, nervous exhaustion, stress-related disorders

Keyword: Stimulant

Rosemary Magic: For protection, love and purification. When placed beneath the pillow rosemary ensures a good sleep and drives away nightmares. Laid under the bed it protects the sleeper from all harm.

Did you know ... Rosemary is hung on the porch and doorposts to keep all thieves from the house and is carried to remain healthy.

Rosemary Harmony

Add these essential oils to 20 ml / 4 teaspoons carrier oil

To bring back zest to a tired mind:

• 4 drops Rosemary
• 4 drops Grapefruit
• 2 drops Peppermint