Description

Rosemary oil has been used since ancient Roman times to clean and purify. It has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that kill germs, making it a common ingredient in natural cleaning products. Rosemary oil can be used effectively to treat respiratory issues, such as bronchitis and allergies, and it has immune boosting properties to protect against illness. As a stress reducer, rosemary oil can lower cortisol levels and promote clarity. Rosemary can be used in hair care to stimulate the scalp to reduce hair loss and prevent flaking.

INGREDIENTS

100% rosemary essential oil

HOW TO USE

Essential oils have the natural ability to heal, soothe, and stimulate. With antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, essential oils have a wide variety of uses.

Sniff essential oils right from the bottle for an instant pick-me-up, to relive anxiety, or to induce relaxation. Add to carrier oil, such as jojoba, and use in a soothing massage. Place a few drops in diffuser to eliminate household odors. Add to cleaning products for more antibacterial and antimicrobial power. During cold and flu season, diffuse daily to stimulate immunity. Mix with carrier oil and apply to the skin to heal wounds. Add a drop or two to your face serum and apply daily to and protect skin against the signs of aging.

Before applying to skin, do a patch test.

How to patch test – Wash, clean, and dry the area on your upper arm near the crook of your elbow. Apply small amount of essential oil and cover with a bandage. Leave the bandage on for 24 hours, then remove and check for irritation. If skin looks clear and there is no reaction after the allotted test time, the oil is presumably safe to use. If you feel irritation at any time duringthe test, remove bandage and wash area with soap and water.

---

Rosemary Essential Oil

Herbaceous and woody but also a tad bit citrus-like, rosemary essential oil — salvia rosmarinus or rosmarinus officinalis — is unlike any others. This makes perfect sense as rosemary itself is a unique plant. Once used as an incense and also part of a ceremony, rosemary is truly intriguing — just like its essential oil.

Well, today, we will learn all there is to know about this very special essential oil. Everything from extraction to its outstanding benefits.

 

What is Rosemary Essential Oil Made Of?

Rosemary essential oil is derived from the rosemary plant (salvia rosmarinus or rosmarinus officinalis). A part of the mint family of Lamiaceae, Rosemary got its name from the Latin ros marinus or “dew of the sea”.

While you can find rosemary growing in various countries — from England to Mexico and Morocco — the plant is native to the Mediterranean region and Asia. You can often find rosemary growing on the cliffs in the Mediterranean regions.

Rosemary is also surprisingly hardy. So much so that some people in certain regions consider it an invasive species. The plant can survive in both cool climates and droughts. But, while rosemary can survive the winter, it loves the sun and grows best in a dry climate with adequate water.

The plant flowers in spring and summer but, if you are lucky, you may even find rosemary flowering in early December. It can reach as high as 5ft but the good news is that rosemary can also be grown indoors in a small pot. Interestingly, the appearance of the plant varies wildly in terms of colors, smell, and size.

Today we use it as herbs but turn back the clock and you will find rosemary has quite a rich history with its many uses. In fact, it was considered a sacred plant by many cultures. For example, the Romans famously used it in almost all their festival. Meanwhile, the Greeks used it to improve their memory. On top of that, it was used as incense in Egypt. And, finally, it was also used to ward off evil spirits during the Middle Age.

 

How is Rosemary Essential Oil Extracted?

Depending on the region, rosemary is harvested a couple of times a year mechanically. This is because this method allows for a better yield. Once harvested, rosemary leaves are air-dried as this yields better quality essential oil than when they are sun-dried. The leaves then undergo steam distillation to extract the oil out of the plant.

Here, hot pressurized steam is push through the leaves and the steam then undergoes condensation and, eventually, collected. The result is a colorless or faint yellow solution with a watery viscosity. The oil is surprisingly potent and has a refreshing smell.

 

Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oils

1.   Promotes hair growth and maintains good hair health

Rosemary essential oil is well-known for its ability to help promote hair growth and good hair health. In fact, it was especially used for this purpose for centuries in the Mediterranean region. Simply massage the essential oil deep into your scalp and let your hair grow naturally.

Besides that, courtesy of its anti-fungal properties, rosemary essential oil is also a gentle yet effective remedy for dandruff. To banish dandruff, mix a few drops of the oil into your shampoo or conditioner. Make sure to massage the oil in.

2.   An excellent stress and anxiety-buster

Rosemary essential oil is also commonly used to aid in managing anxiety and stress. A 2007 study in Psychiatry Research showed that smelling rosemary (along with lavender) increases free radical scavenging activity in addition to decreasing cortisol levels. Cortisol is the body’s stress hormone. When in excess, cortisol can potentially cause oxidative stress, weight gain, high blood pressure, heart diseases, and cholesterol.

Another study in Holistic Nursing Practice in 2009 also demonstrated that rosemary essential oil sachets reduced stress in graduate nursing students.

For stress relief, simply add a few drops of the rosemary essential oil to your diffuser. Or, if you need a faster relief, just inhale straight from the bottle.

3.   Improves memory and helps with learning

If there is a big test coming up or you just need a little help with your memory, rosemary essential oil should be your go-to. In fact, just look at this study in the International Journal of Neuroscience. Here, the study found that rosemary essential oil significantly enhanced the overall quality of memory and alertness.

To enjoy the essential oil, add a couple of drops of the oil to your diffuser. Alternatively, inhale the essential oil directly from the bottle.

4.   Increases and improves blood circulation

If you suffer from poor circulation or have cold hands and feet even in warm weather, consider giving rosemary essential oil a try. Just warm up a few drops of the essential oil between your palms and massage it deeply onto your fingers and feet.

The essential oil would work just as well with muscle cramps and soreness, too.

5.   Great as a natural mouth wash

Bad breath is not only embarrassing but also signifies a bigger problem. This is where you turn to rosemary essential oil. The essential oil’s anti-microbial properties mean that it can banish the bad bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum diseases.

Instead of turning to chemical mouthwash, rosemary essential oil is a gentler alternative. In this case, mix about a cup of water with a few drops of the essential oil. Mix well and proceed as you would with a normal mouthwash.

6.   A natural insect repellent

Mosquitoes and bugs… bugging you? Whip out your rosemary essential oil. Commonly used by many for this purpose, the essential oil will rid your house — and your body — of these pesky insects. You can even use the oil for your plants.

DIY your insect repellent by mixing 10 to 20 drops of the essential oil with some water in a spray bottle. Then, spray it directly on your plants and around your house to repel insects, mites, and ticks. If you are using it on your body, you can also switch out the water with a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil.

 

Mixing Rosemary Essential Oil with Other Essential Oils

Herbaceous, warm, and familiar, rosemary essential oil blends well with jasmine, lavender, and peppermint essential oils.

If you want something warmer and more woodsy, try mixing rosemary essential oil with cedarwood, tea tree oil, and frankincense.

 

Other Good-to-Know Information

While rosemary essential oil brings with it great benefits, regrettably, some people may have an allergy reaction to it. Therefore, you should always start by applying a tiny amount of the essential oil on a small patch of your skin first before using it liberally. Check to see if there is any allergic reaction or irritation.

Make sure to also avoid the areas around your eyes. If possible, it is always recommended to dilute it with water or carrier oil. Keep in mind that rosemary essential oil is extremely potent and concentrated. So, start small. A few drops of it are more than enough for most purposes.

 

Is Rosemary Essential Oil Right for You?

Of course! It is all-natural, comforting, and chock full of benefits; rosemary essential oil is right for just about everyone.