Tell me about...
Rosemary
What is rosemary? Why do we need
it?
Rosemary is a medium-sized evergreen shrub that grows to
a height of seven feet. Native to Portugal, the plant takes
its name from the Latin "ros marinus," which
means "sea dew." Rosemary shrubs consist of stiff
branches with long, needle-like leaves that are dark green
above and white underneath. Pale blue flowers grow on the
ends of the leaves. The leaves and parts of the flowers contain
a volatile oil and are used medicinally. It is also used as
a spice in cooking.
Traditionally, rosemary has been used to increase urine production,
reduce muscle spasms and stimulate menstrual blood flow. Externally,
the plant has been used as a poultice to promote wound healing.
In clinical studies, rosemary oil has displayed antibacterial
and antifungal properties. Two of the oil's constituents,
carnosol and ursolic acid, appear to work as antioxidants.
The oil has also been shown to reduce spasms in smooth muscle
(such as the gallbladder and intestines) and, to a lesser
extent, cardiac muscle. In other research, carnosol inhibited
the growth of bronchial cancer cells.
How much rosemary should I take?
Depending on the way rosemary is prepared, the following
daily doses are recommended:
Internal
Tincture (1:5): 2-4ml
Infusion: 2-4 grams
Fluid extract (1:1 in 45% alcohol): 1-2ml
Rosemary wine: 20 grams of rosemary is added to one liter
of wine and allowed to stand for five days
External
Essential oil (6-10%): two drops semisolid or liquid in
one tablespoon base oil
Infusion: 50 grams of rosemary in one liter of hot water
added to bath water
What are some good sources of rosemary?
What forms are available?
Rosemary comes only from the rosemary plant. The leaves and
twigs are used for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
Rosemary is available as a powder or dry extract. Some liquid
preparations, such as tinctures and rosemary wine, are made
using the plant's leaves and volatile oils.
What can happen if I don't
get enough rosemary? What can happen if I take too much? Are
there any side-effects I should be aware of?
When taken as directed, rosemary is generally considered
safe and devoid of adverse side-effects. However, there have
been occasional reports of allergic reactions to rosemary.
Large quantities of rosemary leaves can cause serious side-effects,
including coma, spasm, vomiting and pulmonary edema.
Women who are pregnant or lactating should not use rosemary.
Topical preparations containing rosemary may cause adverse
reactions in patients who are allergic to camphor. Excessive
quantities of rosemary oil taken internally can cause convulsions.
Make sure to consult with a health care provider before taking
rosemary or rosemary supplements.
Other Resources :
The
More You Know About Nutrition
References
- Aqel MB. Relaxant effect of the volatile
oil of rosmarinus officinalis on tracheal smooth
muscle. J Ethnopharmacol 1991;33(1-2):57-62.
- Huang MT, Ho CT, Wang ZY, et al. Inhibition
of skin tumorigenesis by rosemary and its constituents carnosol
and ursolic acid. Cancer Res 1994;54(ISS3):701-708.
- Lemonica IP, Damasceno DC, di-Stasi LC.
Study of the embryotoxic effects of an extract of rosemary
(rosmarinusofficinalis L.) Braz Med Biol Res
1996;19(2):223-227.
- Offord EA, Macé K, Ruffieux C,
Malnöe A, Pfeifer AM. Rosemary components inhibit
- benzo[a]pyrene-induced genotoxicity inhuman
bronchial cells. Carcinogenesis 1995;16(ISS9):2057-2062.
- Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler V. Rational
Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine,
3rd ed. Berlin, Germany: Springer; 1998:105.
|
