Tap to Read ➤

Rosemary Oil Uses

Ankana Dey Choudhury
What is rosemary oil used for? Well, the answer to this question lies here. Read on to find out all the possible rosemary oil uses.
Rosemary oil is extracted from the fresh, green foliage and fresh blooms of the rosemary herb by employing the method of steam distillation. Because this colorless essential oil, with a watery consistency, has so many benefits and uses, so much of resources are employed to obtain the oil.
It is believed that to procure a single pound of pure rosemary oil, nearly 68 pounds of rosemary leafage is used up. Rosemary oil contains borneol, bornyl acetate, camphene, camphor, cineole, limonene, a-pinene, b-pinene, and verbenone and is known to induce mental as well as physical exhilaration which makes it one of the most effective aromatherapy oils.

Uses of Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil is an aseptic, bactericidal and fungicidal stimulant which happens to be in use for medicative as well as household purposes. Here are some basic rosemary oil uses:
  • There are a number of ways in which one can use rosemary oil for hair. Not only does rosemary oil stop hair fall, it also boosts hair growth by stimulating blood circulation in the scalp area. The National Library of Medicine claims that rosemary oil is effective in the treatment of alopecia or hair fall in patches.
  • Rid your head of dandruff by applying concentrated rosemary oil to the roots of your hair. Besides this, mixing about 20 drops of rosemary oil with an odorless shampoo and using it repeatedly for a few days can help one get rid of a lice infestation.
  • Rosemary oil is a stimulant because it also happens to be a natural astringent. If you add a few drops of this essential oil to any base massage oil, it will influence the function of the central nervous system which in turn will lift your mood and calm your mind and yet quieten nervous excitement as it is a nervine, helping you to think clearly.
  • It communicates with the adrenal gland, stimulating it and providing a fresh bout of energy.
  • Massaging a concoction of 2 drops of rosemary oil and ¼th cup of any massage oil on either side of your forehead or breathing in some warm water mixed with a few drops of rosemary oil or applying it on the 6th Chakra (the Brow Chakra) can enhance brain activity.
  • The previous concoction also relieves mental stress and depressive mentations, thus helping one to concentrate, absorb more information and memorize things sans much ado. This particular quality of oils used in aromatherapy has been studied and proven by some Harvard college students.
  • At the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre at Northumbria University, Mark Moss and Lorraine Oliver have experimented to test the pharmacology of 1,8-cineole (1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2,2,2]octane), which is one of the main components of this oil, through speed and accuracy tests.
  • The results of this test showed that inhalation of higher amounts of rosemary oil aroma does lead to an increased and improved cognitive performance.
  • Rosemary oil is an excellent oral rinse expelling halitosis when combined with hot water. As it contains eucalyptol, it helps fight against periodontal problems like gingivitis or inflammation of the gums.
  • Armed with two effective antioxidants that go by the names of rosemarinic acid and caffeic acid, rosemary oil tackles cellular damage easily and keeps skin cancer at bay. Also, it is a very potent oil when it comes to harnessing the problems of oily skin, and as it controls excessive oil secretion tendencies of the body.
  • A known sudorific, rosemary oil induces increased perspiration which in a way prevents water retention in the body. Moreover, it tends to increase the flow of urine as a diuretic.
  • Phenolic diterpenes present in rosemary oil renders the oil anti-inflammatory.
  • Rosemary oil combats the processes of aging very efficiently as pointed out by a research conducted by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania in Italy. Rosemary oil is said to shield individual cell elements from potential damage, thus hindering age related phenomena such as wrinkles from rearing their heads.
  • Most body toners contain rosemary oil as it can repair, restore and revitalize damaged skin. It enhances the function of capillaries. Not only does it help harness acne and other arbitrary skin eruptions along with paling out blemishes and scars left behind by ugly pimples, rosemary oil is also used to remedy many skin problems like dermatitis and eczema.
  • HSP70 is a kind of protein safeguarded by rosemary oil, which in turn reduces the physical ravages instilled by mental trauma caused by stress, toxin accumulation in the body or harmful free radicals.
  • Rosemary oil infusions help relieve respiratory woes. Not only does it help assuage common colds and its companions like cough, sore scratchy throats and throbbing headaches, but adding a little rosemary oil to that diffuser with warm water can help treat many other respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, throat congestion, sinusitis, pertussis.
  • Try pouring a little bit of rosemary oil on the floor of the bathroom first and then turn on a hot shower, stand under it and take in the therapeutic fumes of the oil.
  • Digestive system problems such as gas and bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, colitis and other intestinal issues can also be remedied through the use of rosemary oil. 
  • Some clockwise massaging of rosemary oil on the stomach actually facilitates a smoother peristaltic flow, thus palliating all abdominal discomfort.
  • Rosemary oil is believed to strengthen the immunity of a person in the way that it keeps the lymphatic system in shipshape, which subsequently results in proper flushing out of all bodily toxins.
  • This flushing of toxins fortifies the immune system to combat all viral, bacterial or other communicable threats effectively. No doubt that rosemary oil is one of the most effective lymphatic drainage massage anoints mixed with cypress, juniper, and lavender oils. Given that it has such a watery consistency, rosemary oil readily blends with any other oil.
  • A fantastic natural analgesic, rosemary oil is known to alleviate pains of any kind through vapour baths. It not only soothes muscle cramps and menstrual spasms, but also palliates neuralgia, migraines, sciatica, pains related to arthritis, gout and rheumatism.
  • The University of Maryland Medical Center vouches that rosemary oil soothes joint pain and arthritic aches by increasing the flux of blood in various joints of the body.
  • This oil works wonders for the yin (liver) and yang (gallbladder) of the body. It helps treat hepatic illnesses like jaundice among others.
  • It shields the hepatic gland against any possible damage by toxins and boosts and normalizes the flow of bile flow from the gallbladder. Smooth muscles present in out blood vessels, small intestine and the gallbladder are prone to spasmodic activity that are extremely painful. Rosemary oil is known to alleviate these spasmodic effects and provide relief.
  • While several studies are being conducted to test the potency of rosemary oil to combat breast, colon, lung and stomach cancer, research has shown that it actually harnesses the onset of hepatic cancer by promoting the detoxification prowess of the liver of potential carcinogens.
  • People suffering from gallbladder or liver ailments often fall prey to migraine attacks. Rosemary oil can relieve such bouts of headache.
  • It can reduce anger, bloating, cramps, forgetfulness, frustration, headaches, hot flashes, petulance, mood swings, nervousness, palpitations and stomachache in menstruating women due to disharmonious hepatic energy.
  • Liver produces and regulates different hormones in the body. This is disrupted when a woman is menstruating or menopausing leading to a hormonal imbalance. If rosemary oil is used in baths, inhaled or massaged on the body during this time, it immediately assists the liver restore the hormonal balance leading to relief and reduced physical and mental angst.
  • This oil has a distinct, marked and acute scent, making it an effective insect repellent. Add few drops of it in an unscented body lotion and massage it all over the body to help keep mosquitoes away. Dab a cotton ball in rosemary oil, put it in a net pouch and hang it in your closet and attic. Pests like moths and silverfish will keep away from your home.
  • Due to its strong, sweetly redolent odor that resembles the scent of pines, rosemary oil is used in cosmetics, perfumes, toiletries and household disinfectants. Sprinkle some of it into a homemade potpourri to make the most of its scent.
These were some of the rosemary oil uses. Now that you know the rosemary oil benefits, try incorporating this oil in multiple ways in your day-to-day activities. However, please refrain from using the undiluted version of rosemary oil without proper guidance as that can trigger off several dangerous auto immune responses.
Do not over indulge in rosemary oil as it can set of muscular spasms and uncontrollable neural twitchings and convulsions. Given the invigorating nature of the oil, one must keep it away from patients of epilepsy.
Expecting and lactating mother should not use rosemary oil as one can never predict how the body shall react to the numerous chemical compounds during such a fragile condition. Also, patients of high blood pressure must keep their distance from this oil given that it is known to work as an excitant and that cannot be good for a victim of hypertension.