Rosemary – Essential Oil
Rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis)
The Romans called the rosemary plant the ‘incense bush’, and they would burn sprigs of it at their altars. Used in medieval times to fumigate against the plague, rosemary oil is still used in the Middle East in the rooms of those who are sick.
Rosemary takes its name from the Latin words ‘ros marinus’, which translate as ‘marine dew’ or ‘sea dew’, most likely referring to the fact that this hardy herb grew along the Mediterranean coast. It has a long history of wide use for medicinal and culinary purposes, including delaying the putrefaction of meats.
This oil stimulates the mind as much as the body, improving concentration, and diminishing indecision, and procrastination.
Uses include:
Aches and pains
Rheumatism and arthritis
Skincare
Sprains
Tiredness
Muscular tension
Poor circulation
Cautions
Do not use on children under the age of 5 years.
Do not use if pregnant.
Aches and pains
This oil is soothing and warming, use on skin following exercise.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area.
Rheumatism and arthritis
Oil is soothing and warming.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area.
Compress: Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes.
Skincare
Due to its antiseptic and astringent properties, it is beneficial for oily skins and those prone to spots.
Directions for use
Compress: Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes.
Facial Massage: Mix 1 drop of pure essential oil to 2 teaspoons of almond or grape seed oil, or any other carrier oil and rub into face.
Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise onto face. Do not do if the skin is very sore as the steam may ‘burn’ already painful skin.
Sprains
Oil is soothing and warming.
Directions for use
Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of very cold water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes.
Tiredness
This oil is stimulating and refreshing.
Directions for use
Inhalation: Boil up 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise and inhale. Use once a week.
Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.
Oil Burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Muscular tension
This oil is soothing and warming.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area.
Compress: Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes.
Poor circulation
Stimulates the body and mind.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Compress: Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for ten minutes. Repeat daily.
Facial Massage: Mix 1 drop of pure essential oil to 2 teaspoons of almond or grape seed oil, or any other carrier oil and rub into face. Use daily.
Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise onto face. Do not do if the skin is very sore as the steam may ‘burn’ already painful skin. Use once a week.
Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.
Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.
Further Information
Where grown: Rosemary is an easy-to-grow herb that is mainly cultivated for oil production in France, Spain, and Tunisia.
Parts used and method of extraction: Whole plant by steam distillation. Flowering tips or leaves will always yield a more superior oil to oil distilled from the whole plant.
Colour and smell: Pale yellow or colourless with a strong, fresh aroma, smelling very much like the plant.
Active ingredients: Camphor (10–20%), borneol, pinene, and cineole.
Properties: Stimulating, tonic, analgesic, detoxifying, decongestant, antiseptic, antimicrobial, and astringent.
Mixes well with: Citrus oils, frankincense, lavender, peppermint, tea tree, and many others.