null Skip to main content
Herban Herbalist — Solutions That Support Total Wellbeing. Download the free herbal guide app.

Rosemary

← Back to Materia Medica
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus herb illustration

Photo: CGP Grey · CC BY 2.0 · Source

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

Family: Labiatae  |  Parts Used: Leaves

Rosemary is a common culinary herb with strong medicinal applications. It improves circulation, supports memory and mental clarity, relieves headaches, aids digestion, and strengthens immunity during colds and flu. The volatile oils in the leaf, including camphor, cineole, and borneol, account for most of its therapeutic activity. In TCM terms, rosemary is spicy and cool in nature.

Nervous Circulatory Digestive Immune Integumentary Western Middle Eastern European

Traditional Uses

  • Enhancing memory and mental clarity
  • Relieving headaches and migraines
  • Improving circulation
  • Supporting digestion and addressing indigestion
  • Strengthening immunity during colds and flu
  • Promoting hair growth and scalp health (external use)
  • Skin health (external application)

Properties

Key Constituents

Preparations & Dosage

  • Herbal infusion: 1-2 tsp herb per cup boiling water, or 1 oz dried herb per pint of water. Up to 3 cups daily.
  • Tincture: 15-30 drops, up to 3 times daily.
  • Infused oil (topical): Added to shampoo for scalp massage to stimulate hair growth.
  • Essential oil: Steam inhalation for headaches and migraines, or diluted and rubbed on scalp for hair growth. Do not ingest rosemary essential oil.

TCM Profile: Spicy, cool.

Spiritual & Folk Uses

  • Traditionally used for protection of the home: burned as incense or planted by the door.
  • Traditionally used to attract good luck: incense or planted near the entrance.
  • Used in cleansing spiritual baths.

Bonnie's Notes

I use the herb and essential oil in remedies for headache and focus.

Fun Fact: Known in Shakespearean times as an herb to help with memory, rosemary was traditionally woven into a bride's head wreath to help in remembering wedding vows.

Cautions

  • Safe as a culinary herb. Medicinal doses may cause seizures in individuals with seizure disorders.
  • Not recommended in traditional medicinal doses during pregnancy, as rosemary may stimulate the uterus.
  • May interact with blood thinners, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and lithium.
  • Rosemary essential oil should not be ingested.

Habitat & Growing Conditions

Native to the Mediterranean region (Portugal, Spain). Grown in US zones 6-8 and also successfully grown indoors. Prefers well-drained, partly dry soil in full sun.

Related Articles

Sources & Research

The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, p187

The New Holistic Herbal, David Hoffmann, p229

Herbs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, Kathi Keville, p158

Published Research:

Traditional effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and its active constituents on nervous system disorders | Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences (2020)

Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) as traditional and prophylactic agent | Journal of Biomedical Science (2019)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L., syn Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.) and Its Topical Applications: A Review | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (2020)

Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil: A review of its phytochemistry, anti-inflammatory activity, and mechanisms of action | Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2019)

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are under the care of a health care provider or taking prescription medication, check with your provider before using any herbal supplement.

!