Source: University of Mayland Medical Center
Also listed as: Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) is widely used as a culinary herb, especially in Mediterranean
dishes, and is also used as a fragrant additive in soaps and other
cosmetics. Traditionally, rosemary has been used by herbalists to
improve memory, relieve muscle pain and spasm, stimulate hair growth,
and support the circulatory and nervous systems. It is also believed to
affect the menstrual cycle, act as an abortifacient (inducing
miscarriage), relieve menstrual cramps, increase urine flow, and reduce
kidney pain (for example, from kidney stones). Recently, rosemary has
been the object of laboratory and animal studies investigating its
potential in the prevention of cancer and its antibacterial properties.
Native to the Mediterranean area, rosemary is now cultivated widely
in other parts of the world, although it thrives in a warm and
relatively dry climate. The plant takes its name from rosmarinus , a Latin term meaning "sea dew." It is an erect evergreen shrub that
can grow to a height of six and a half feet. The woody rootstock bears
rigid branches with fissured bark. The long, linear, needle-like leaves
are dark green above and white beneath. Both the fresh and dried leaves
are pungent. The small flowers are pale blue. The leaves and parts of
the flowers contain volatile oil.
The leaves and twigs of the rosemary plant are used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Food Preservation
Most evidence for rosemary's medicinal uses comes from clinical
experience rather than from scientific studies. However, recent
laboratory studies have shown that rosemary slows the growth of a
number of bacteria such as E. coli and S. aureus that are involved in food spoilage, and may actually perform better than some commercially used food preservatives.
Alopecia
As stated above, one traditional use of rosemary has been to try to
stimulate hair growth. In one study of 86 people with alopecia areata
(a disease of unknown cause characterized by significant hair loss,
generally in patches), those who massaged their scalps with rosemary
and other essential oils (including lavender, thyme, and cedarwood)
every day for 7 months experienced significant hair re-growth compared
to those who massaged their scalps without the essential oils. It is
not entirely clear from this study whether rosemary (or a combination
of rosemary and the other essential oils) was responsible for the
beneficial effects.
Cancer
Both laboratory and animal studies suggest that rosemary's antioxidant
properties may have activity against colon, breast, stomach, lung, and
skin cancer cells. Much more research in this area, including trials
involving people, must be conducted before conclusions can be drawn
about the value of rosemary for cancer.
- Dried whole herb
- Dried, powdered extract (in capsules)
- Preparations derived from fresh or dried leaves, such as tinctures, infusions, liquid extract, and rosemary wine
- Volatile oil (to be used externally, not to be ingested)
Pediatric
There are no known scientific reports on the medicinal use of rosemary
in children. Therefore, it is not currently recommended for this age
group.
Adult
Listed below are the recommended adult doses for rosemary. (Total
daily intake should not exceed 4 to 6 grams of the dried herb.):
- Tea: 3 cups daily. Prepare using the infusion method of pouring
boiling water over the herb and then steeping for 3 to 5 minutes. Use 6
g powdered herb to 2 cups water. Divide into three small cups and drink
over the course of the day.
- Tincture (1:5): 2 to 4 mL three times per day
- Fluid extract (1:1 in 45% alcohol): 1 to 2 mL three times per day
- Rosemary wine: add 20 g herb to 1 liter of wine and allow to stand for five days, shaking occasionally
Externally, rosemary may be used as follows:
- Essential oil (6 to 10%): 2 drops semisolid or liquid in 1 tablespoon base oil
- Decoction (for bath): Place 50 g herb in 1 liter water, boil, then let stand for 30 minutes. Add to bath water.
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body
and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain active substances that
can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or
medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under
the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of
botanical medicine.
Rosemary is generally considered safe when taken in recommended
doses. However, there have been occasional reports of allergic
reactions. Large quantities of rosemary leaves, because of their
volatile oil content, can cause serious side effects, including
vomiting, spasms, coma and, in some cases, pulmonary edema (fluid in
the lungs).
Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use rosemary in
quantities larger than those normally used in cooking. An overdose of
rosemary may induce a miscarriage or cause damage to the fetus.
Rosemary oil, taken orally, can trigger convulsions and should not be
used internally. Topical preparations containing rosemary oil are
potentially harmful to hypersensitive people who may be allergic to
camphor.
Doxorubicin
In a laboratory study, rosemary extract increased the effectiveness
of doxorubicin in treating human breast cancer cells. Human studies
will be necessary to determine whether this is true in people.
Meanwhile, those taking doxorubicin should consult with a healthcare
practitioner before taking rosemary.
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- Review Date:
4/1/2002
- Reviewed By: Participants in the review process include:
Jacqueline A. Hart, MD, Department of Internal Medicine,
Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Harvard University and Senior Medical Editor
Integrative Medicine, Boston, MA; Gary Kracoff, RPh (Pediatric Dosing
section February 2001), Johnson Drugs, Natick, MA; Steven Ottariono,
RPh (Pediatric Dosing section February 2001), Veteran's Administrative
Hospital, Londonderry, NH; R. Lynn Shumake, PD, Director, Alternative
Medicine Apothecary, Blue Mountain Apothecary & Healing Arts,
University of Mayland Medical Center, Glenwood, MD; David Winston,
Herbalist (September 1999), Herbalist and Alchemist, Inc., Washington,
NJ. All interaction sections have also been reviewed by a team of
experts including Joseph Lamb, MD (July 2000), The Integrative Medicine
Works, Alexandria, VA;Enrico Liva, ND, RPh (August 2000), Vital
Nutrients, Middletown, CT; Brian T Sanderoff, PD, BS in Pharmacy (March
2000), Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Mayland School of
Pharmacy; President, Your Prescription for Health, Owings Mills, MD;
Ira Zunin, MD, MPH, MBA (July 2000), President and Chairman, Hawaii
State Consortium for Integrative Medicine, Honolulu, HI.
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