Botanical name: Rosmarinus officinalis
© Steven Foster
Parts used and where grown
Rosemary is a small, fragrant evergreen shrub. The rosemary plant originated in the
countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. However, it now grows in North America as well.
The leaf is used in herbal medicine.
Rosemary has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Historical or traditional use (may
or may not be supported by scientific studies)
Throughout history, rosemary was used to preserve meats.1 It has long played a
role in European herbalism and popular folklore. Sprigs of rosemary were considered a love
charm, a sign of remembrance, and a way to ward off the plague. Rosemary was used by
herbalists as a tonic for the elderly and to help with indigestion.2 In ancient China, rosemary
was used for headaches and topically for baldness.3
Active constituents
A number of constituents have shown activity in the test tube. The volatile oil, including
eucalyptol (cineole), is considered to have potent antibacterial effects4 and to
relax smooth muscles in the lungs.5 Rosmarinic acid has antioxidant activity6 and another
ingredient of rosemary, known as carnosol, inhibits cancer formation in animal studies.7 No
human studies have confirmed rosemary’s use for these conditions.
How much is usually taken?
The German Commission E monograph suggests 3/4 to 1-1/4 tsp (4 to 6 grams) of rosemary leaf
per day.8 A tea can be prepared by adding 2 teaspoons (10 grams) of herb to 1 cup
(250 ml) boiling water and allowing it to steep in a covered container for 10 to 15 minutes.
This tea can be taken several times per day. Rosemary tincture, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2 to 5 ml)
three times per day, may also be used. The concentrated volatile oil should not be taken
internally.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
There is no evidence to indicate that intermittent intake of moderate amounts of rosemary
poses any threat during breast-feeding. However, internal intake of the herb and oil should be
avoided during pregnancy because the oil may
act as an abortifacient (an agent that may induce an abortion).9
An extract of rosemary taken with a meal by healthy women inhibited the absorption of
non-heme iron (e.g., the form of iron in plant foods) by 15%.10 Frequent use of
rosemary could, in theory, promote the development of iron deficiency in susceptible
individuals.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with rosemary.
References:1. Castleman M. The Healing Herbs. New York: Bantam Books, 1991,
452–6.
2. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield
Publishers Ltd, 1988, 185–6.
3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients
Used in Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996,
446–8.
4. Huhtanen C. Inhibition of Clostridium botulinum by spice
extract and aliphatic alcohols. J Food Protect 1980;43:195–6.
5. Aqel MB. Relaxant effect of the volatile oil of Rosmarinus
officinalis on tracheal smooth muscle. J Ethnopharmacol 1991;33:57–62.
6. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients
Used in Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996,
446–8.
7. Singletary K, MacDonald C, Wallig M. Inhibition by rosemary and
carnosol of 7,12-dimethyl-benz [a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary tumorigenesis and in
vivo DMBA-DNA adduct formation. Cancer Lett 1996;104:43–8.
8. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al., eds. The Complete
Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston: Integrative
Medicine Communications, 1998, 197.
9. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide
for Health-Care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 1996, 229–30.
10. Samman S, Sandstrom B, Toft MB, et al. Green tea or rosemary extract
added to foods reduces nonheme-iron absorption. Am J Clin Nutr
2001;73:607–12.