Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosmarinus: lat. ros (dew) marinus (sea) = sea dew, is an evergreen, intensely fragrant semi-shrub of the labiates family (Lamiaceae), which reaches a height of 0.5 - 2.0 m. Rosmarinus officinalis is wild in the western and central Mediterranean. The deep green leaves are 1.0 to 4.0 cm long.

Rosemary contains 2.5 % essential oils (Rosmarini aetheroleum). These include terpenes such as cineol, borneol, bornyl acetate, camphor, carnosol, terpineol), 8 % tannins (especially rosmarinic acid), flavonoids, glycolic acid, bitter substances, saponins, resins.

The dried leaves(Rosmarini folium) and the essential oil contained in the rosemary leaves ("rosemary oil") are used phytotherapeutically.

Rosemary can be a component of perfumes (e.g. cologne).

Furthermore, rosemary is widely used as a spice in Mediterranean cuisine (a fresh sprig of rosemary is a welcome addition to all meat and fish dishes). If one cuts the rosemary twigs, only small quantities are necessary).

Rosemary extracts are approved as a food additive in Europe under E 392.

Rosemary is frequently cultivated in Central Europe as an ornamental and spice plant. Rosemary extracts can be ingredients cosmetics (eg cologne):

• Rosmarinus officinalis extract (INCI): the extract from the leaves of the plant.
• Rosmarinus officinalis leaf powder (INCI): pulverized leaves

Rosemary is also widely used as a spice in Mediterranean cuisine.

Rosmarinus officinalis is the parent plant of Rosmarini folium, the whole dried leaves for which positive monographs are available from Commission E (also from ESCOP and WHO).

Pinene, camphene, limonene, cineole, borneol, camphor, linalool, terpineol, octanone, bornyl acetate.

Rosemary is used naturopathically in tea preparations to stimulate the circulation and against flatulence. The tea is used as an appetite stimulant. It also has an antidepressant and anxiolytic effect.

Dosage: Daily doses of 6 g of leaves for tea infusions, 20 drops of essential oil and 50 g for baths should not be exceeded.

Contraindication: Pregnant women are generally advised not to take it.

As an external agent, rosemary has a disinfectant and circulation-enhancing effect. Rosemary is used in baths to treat circulatory disorders, gout and rheumatic diseases. Rosemary can be used as an ointment to treat rheumatism and migraines. When applied externally as a tea, rosemary has an antifungal effect.

Preparations:

Arthrodynat® ointment, Cefarheumin® ointment, Cor-Vel® heart ointment, Cor-Vel® N heart ointment, Criniton® solution, Dolo-cyl® oil (muscle and joint oil), Hevert® dehydrating tea, Humopin®, Ilon® abscess ointment, Kneipp® cold balm N, Röwo-714 AdipoRö-Plex

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8. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 183-184