Rosmarinus officinalis                              Common name:  Rosemary
Family: Lamiaceae

Parts used: Aerial

Constituents:  Volatile oil (borneol, camphene, camphor, cineole, limonene, linalool, isobutyl acetate, 3-octanone, terpineol, verbenol, etc.), flavonoids (apigenin, diosmin, diosmin, etc.), rosmarininc acid and other phenolic acids, terpenoids (carnasol, oleanolic & ursolic acid)

Medicinal actions:  Nervous system relaxant, sedative, anti-depressant, mild analgesic (topically), antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diaphoretic, rubefacient,  capillary tonic, circulatory stimulant, cardiotonic, carminative, choleretic, hepatoprotector, emmenagogue, diuretic, antispasmodic

Medicinal use:  Rosemary relaxes smooth muscle spasm and the smooth muscles of capillaries and arteries, thus enhancing blood flow.  It is used to increase circulation to the head and to improve mental clarity, improve memory, and improve vision. It increases coronary blood flow and exerts a positive inotropic action in the myocardium.  Rosemary has a tonifying effect on the circulation and on the nervous system, making it effective in chronic circulatory weakness including hypotension.  Rosemary is an excellent tonic for the elderly as it will stimulate the appetite and tonify the circulatory and nervous systems. It has specific use for depressive states with debility and cardiovascular weakness.

Pharmacology:

• Volatile oils (borneol, camphene, camphor, cineole, limonene) are carminative, analgesic and stimulant.
•  Anti-inflammatory effects largely due to rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid and apigenin.
• Rosmarinic acid is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, stimulant and antioxidant.
• Diosmin reduces capillary fragility.

Pharmacy:  Tincture (1:5,40%), 1-2 ml TID; 50 ml weekly max. Infusion: 1 tsp/cup, TID. Dried parts: 2-4g TID. External applications:  baths, ointments, chest rub, massage oil.

Contraindicated: Pregnancy.

Toxicity: None reported.

Interactions: May inhibit iron absorption (avoid taking with meals and supplements). No drug interactions reported.