Rosemary

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which also includes many other herbs.(Wikipedia.org)

Native to Portugal and the Mediterranean area, rosemary is widely cultivated in several parts of the world, especially Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, and France. Rosemary takes it name fromros marinus, a Latin term which means "sea dew." Well known to the ancients, this plant was touted as a remedy for improving memory.

Rosemary today is used more frequently as a household spice and a food flavoring than a medicinal agent. However, it has traditionally been employed as a diuretic, emmenagogue, and antispasmodic remedy. The oil is a skin irritant in humans, and when administered externally, it increases blood supply. During the 19th century, rosemary leaf and its essential oil were used as a tonic for hypotension and other circulatory ailments. However, the evidence for the effectiveness of rosemary given orally in treating chronic circulatory weakness is controversial.

Rosemary oil is often unsafe for internal consumption since a large amount of it is required for therapeutic benefits. Ingesting excessive quantities of rosemary can irritate the stomach, intestines, and kidneys

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Medicinal Uses :

Traditional internal uses: dyspepsia (gastrointestinal ailments), headache, spasmolytic, sedative, diuretic, antimicrobial, diaphoretic (perspiration-promoting), emmenagogues (menstrual-flow stimulating), abortifacients

Traditional external uses: poultice for wound healing, eczema; topically for myalgia, sciatica, intercostal neuralgia, rubefacient, mild analgesic, parasiticidal; balneotherapy; supportive therapy (adjuvant) for circulatory disorders, rheumatic conditions

Conditions: digestive (dyspepsia), circulatory, pain, neuralgia, spasm nervousness, diuretic, wounds, eczema, myalgia, sciatica, rheumatism, parasites

Clinical applications: loss of appetite, blood pressure problems, liver and gallbladder complaints, rheumatism

Another Name :

Rosemary (English)

Rosmarinus officinalis (Botanical)

Lamiaceae (Plant Family)

Rosmarini (Pharmacopeial)