Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil (inci)

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil (from Rosmarinus: lat. ros (dew) marinus (sea) = sea dew) is obtained from Rosmarinus officinalis, an evergreen, intensely fragrant semi-shrub from the Lamiaceae family that reaches a height of 0.5 to 2.0 meters. Rosmarinus officinalis grows wild in the western and central Mediterranean region. Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil refers to the extract from the leaves of the plant.

The pure essential rosemary oil is distilled from the flowering herb of the plant, which has been dried beforehand. Depending on the plant species, 50 to 80 kilograms of the herb are required to obtain 1 liter of pure rosemary essential oil.

The primary step in extracting the pure essential oil is steam distillation. The distilled oil can be used immediately and does not require further treatment. The by-product is rosemary hydrolate, a rosemary-scented water that precipitates after the formation of water vapor during steam distillation.

The pure, essential rosemary oil consists of numerous ingredients. The following substances are among the most important known ingredients: monoterpenes, borneol, ketones, camphor, cineol, phenols, thymol, sesquiterpenes, camphene, monoterpenols, pinene, linalool.

The leaf extract is used in cosmetic formulations. It has skin conditioning (keeps the skin in good condition) and masking (reduces or inhibits an undesirable inherent odor or taste of the product, keeps the skin in good condition) effects.

Raynaud's syndrome: Topically applied rosemary oil has been shown to have a vasodilator effect in Raynaud's syndrome and is recommended as an adjunctive measure (von Schoen-Angerer T et al 2018).

CHD: Dosage form: As an ointment with 6-10% essential oil, massage in several times daily. Monopreparations are not available. Combinations with camphor are useful e.g. Cor-Vel® Truw heart ointment (camphor, menthol, spruce needle oil). Rub 1-2 cm long ointment strand daily in the heart area, massage in radiating pain on the underside of the left forearm.

Furthermore, rosemary oil has antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal effects.

1. Schilcher H (2015) Phytopharmaceuticals for cardiovascular and vascular diseases. In: Guide to Phytotherapy. Urban and Fischer Publishing House Munich, S. 412

2. by Schoen-Angerer T et al (2018) Effect of topical rosemary essential oil on Raynaud phenomenon in systemic sclerosis. Complement Ther Med 40:191-194.