Rosemary
Disclaimer: This monograph was created as a deliverable for my HRB 690 Internship with the National Arboretum. This monograph illustrates research, analysis, and writing skills. I was very proud of my work, however, I received feedback that I needed to use more rigorous academic sources as the basis for the monograph. I have chosen to include it here to illustrate the need for continual growth and improvement. As a result of that feedback, I developed a deeper understanding of the rigor and integrity involved in constructing an herbal monograph.
Nomenclature
Rosmarinus officinalis
Family
Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae)
Parts Used
Leaves, flowers, and essential oil.
Identification of Genus/Species
| Part | Identification |
| Stem | Shrub with scaly branches and bark. Grows to 3 feet. |
| Leaves | 1 to 2 inch long needle-like evergreen leaves. |
| Flowers | Flowers are small and pale blue or white. |
| Taste | Strong, oily, bitter. |
| Odor | Strong and pleasant. Camphor-like. |
Cultivation
As a Mediterranean native, Rosemary does best in warm, sunny, and dry spots. It can be propagated by seed, cutting, or layering.
Collection
To get the most essential oil, harvest the upper parts before they flower. The flowers and upper parts can be harvested in early Spring and Summer. The leaves and flowers should be dried in the shade.
Constituents
The leaves and flowers contain an essential oil made up of borneol, camphor, 1,8 cineole, linalool, terpenes, and borneol esther.
The leaves also contain tannins, resin, carboxylic acid, and minerals such: as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, and potassium.
Actions
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antispasmodic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine sedative, rubefacient, stimulant, and tonic.
Medicinal Use
The essential oil is thought to be responsible for the majority of the Rosemary’s therapeutic actions. Rosemary has many uses for the hair and skin: hair growth, dandruff, ulcers, sores and wounds.
Rosemary is used to support colds, headaches, fevers, poor memory, rheumatism, and sprains. Due to its antispasmodic properties, Rosemary is useful for cramps and spasms. It has a general tonic effect on the circulatory system and may be helpful with varicose veins.
Contraindications & Side Effects
Rosemary contains two toxic constituents, borneol camphor and pinene. Camphor in high doses can aggravate asthma and epilepsy.
Rosemary should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy. Rosemary should not be administered to children under the age of four.
Rosemary should be tested via a skin patch test prior to topical application.
Follow dosage recommendations for the essential oil carefully. Rosemary can impact blood pressure.
Dosage
Doses can be taken three to four times a day.
Infusion: 3 to 5 tablespoons
Tincture: 5 to 20 drops
Essential Oil: ½ to 3 drops
References
Balick, M. J. (2014). 21st century herbal: A practical guide for healthy living using nature’s most powerful plants. V. Mattern (Ed.). New York: Rodale, 341-345.
Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy modern herbal medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
Easley,T. and Horne,S. (2016). The modern herbal dispensatory: A medicine-making guide. Berkeley, CA. North Atlantic Books
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism: the science and practice of herbal medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
Petersen, D. (2015). Herb 201 Herbal Studies. Portland, OR: American College of Healthcare Sciences
Weiss, R., & Fintelmann, V. (2000). Herbal Medicine (2nd ed.). Stuttgart: Thieme
