WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT ROSEMARY?

by Sarah Villafranco, MD

INGREDIENT:

Rosemary

WHAT'S THE FANCY LATIN NAME?

Rosmarinus officinalis

WHERE DOES ROSEMARY COME FROM?

It grows everywhere now, but it originated on the cliffs of the Mediterranean – the name rosmarinus means “dew of the sea”. Most rosemary essential oil is steam-distilled in Corsica, Tunisia, and Spain. (Ours is from Corsica.)

ROSEMARY IN AROMATHERAPY

Rosemary is used to clear the mind and promote concentration - it would be an excellent oil to use in a diffuser in your kid’s room during homework hours! Combined with peppermint and lavender, rosemary can be used to help alleviate headaches. Rosemary is also an excellent oil to use first thing in the morning, to brighten up your sleepy brain, and fortify your energy for the coming day. It is associated with the 3^rd eye chakra in yoga, where clarity resides.

ROSEMARY IN SKINCARE

Rosemary is antimicrobial, and can help alleviate aches and pains or sore muscles when used topically in a balm or an oil. It is used widely in hair preparations, as it has been shown to help with dandruff and stimulate healthy hair growth. Massaged into nail beds, rosemary can help strengthen and support nail growth.

ARE THERE TYPES OF ROSEMARY?

Not all rosemary is the same. It comes in different “chemotypes” – camphor-borneol, cineole, and verbenone, which has a gentle scent that closely resembles the fresh herb itself and is the best for skincare. Rosemary is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, seizure disorders, or during pregnancy.

COOL FACTS ABOUT ROSEMARY:

Rosemary symbolized love and death in ancient Greece and Rome, and was used at funerals to promote loving remembrance.
Rosemary was used in one of the earliest known perfumes, Hungary Water, created for the Queen of Hungary in the late 14^th century.
Rosemary is part of the mint family.
Rosemary plants can grow to over six feet tall!

WHAT OSMIA PRODUCTS CONTAIN ROSEMARY?

We use rosemary extract as an antioxidant in loads of product to keep them fresh and protect our oils. We also use rosemary in Bria, our natural perfume oil, formulated to combat deep physical and mental fatigue, because of its aromatherapeutic potency. Our Rosemary Body Mousse, which people are starting to crave more than their morning coffee, is incredible for your hands, elbows, knees, feet, fingernails, and even your husband's shiny bald head!

With love and a dose of refreshing, renewing rosemary from us to you,

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