June 11, 2014

Part 3: Uses of Rosemary Oil Today’s blog is our Part 3 of Uses of rosemary oil and explains how it can increase your memory by 75%! Rosemary’s fancy, technical name is rosmarinus officinalis. The name “Rosmarinus” is derived from the Latin ros (dew) and marinus (sea). As the name indicates, this plant tends to grow along the coast. The connection with rosemary and memory has been a long and consistent one. The Tudors believed that rosemary could enhance memory. In Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Ophelia famously remarked, ‘There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you, love, remember.’ Published in 1652, Culpepper’s The English Physician (also known as Culpepper’s Complete herbal), praises the herb. He recommended it for “cold benumbed joints” and stomach, spleen and bowel disorders. Rosemary plants will rid areas of infestation, disease and pestilence. In the Great Plague of London (1665-1666), rosemary was regarded as the best herb to carry and use. It became such a valuable commodity that its value increased six-fold. French hospitals used it routinely as an antibacterial agent right up until 1930. Rosemary Oil Research A team of psychologists led by Dr. Mark Moss at Northumbria University in Newcastle tested the effect of rosemary essential oil. He found that using it improved memory of events occurring after its use by as much as 75%. Another recent study presented at the British Psychological Society’s annual conference in Harrogate, United Kingdom, showed that inhaling rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. 1,8 cineol) to enhances the ability to remember events and complex tasks. Rosemary Oil Therapeutic Properties The therapeutic properties of rosemary oil are analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic. Although most essential oils blend well together, rosemary essential oil blends particularly well with cedarwood, citronella, geranium, lavender, lemongrass and peppermint. These days sports therapists use rosemary in massage oils to alleviate the pain and inflammation of sore, aching muscles. Aromatherapists use rosemary’s briskly energizing aroma to combat nervous exhaustion and fatigue. This effect can be so powerful that rosemary is not recommended for use by people with epilepsy or high blood pressure. Rosemary oil also acts as an astringent and will help regulate or decrease oily secretions of the hair follicles. It works well in hair care treatments and is treats greasy hair and dandruff. Helpful Usage Tips • Add 10 drops of each of rosemary and tea tree essential oils to your home-made laundry detergent for a fresh scent and excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties.• Add 5 drops to your shampoo to help with oily hair. Adding it to shampoo it not only increases the circulation to the scalp (thereby improving hair growth), but also acts as a general conditioner and tonic for the hair and scalp.• Add 5 – 10 drops to a warm bath to help with with liver and gall problems, mucus congestion, muscular aches, cramps, pains and spasms, stiff neck, overwork, rheumatism, arthritis, colds, constipation, diarrhea, coughs, bronchitis, back pain, scalp disorders, sinusitis, mental fatigue and physical tiredness. Around The Home Rosemary is attractive and drought tolerant and making it perfect as an ornamental plant in gardens and for xeriscape landscaping. It grows very well in regions with a Mediterranean climate. It is easy to grow and pest-resistant. Rosemary can grow quite large and stay attractive for many years. Rosemary grows well in pots and responds well to pruning and shaping. The ground cover cultivars spread widely and have a dense and durable texture.Rosemary essential oil is non toxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritant in dilution. Avoid rosemary during pregnancy and if there is history of epilepsy. Use a carrier oil like almond, vegetable or coconut to dilute rosemary essential oil in before internal or topical use. It is not advisable to use rosemary in its undiluted form. Certain oils can be very toxic to cats, especially pine and citrus products and oils in particular those that are not of therapeutic grade. Please consult your vet if you are not sure about applying any essential oil to your pet. We use rosemary essential oil in both our Immuno Massage and Muscle Soothing Clay Massage.