11 Benefits and Uses of Rosemary Essential Oil

Featuring a potent, herbaceous aroma, Rosemary essential oil is a powerful natural resource that surfaces an impressive inventory of life-changing advantages. From liver detox support, immune system properties, being a respected respiratory decongestant, to much more, this organic extract is undoubtedly an energizing medicine that should not be underestimated. To prove this, below are some fundamental benefits that stem from leveraging Rosemary, benefits that anyone can experience just by simply introducing it into their lives.  

1. Supports Hair Growth

There is no denying that commercial hair care products can drastically damage hair long-term. The ingredients within them can even cause chronic hair loss as well, which is why many lawsuits are going on right now against specific brands. For those who have lackluster hair because of this or for other underlying reasons, Rosemary essential oil can help remediate. This oil stimulates hair follicles to promote hair growth and strength while fostering longer shiner hair.

How to Use: Simply pour 6 to 7 drops of Rosemary essential oil onto the scalp and massage it gently before rinsing it out.

2. Helps Brain Function and Memory

Another profound benefit of Rosemary essential oil is its brain-boosting elements. This oil stimulates cognitive abilities, increases concentration, improves memory, and lessens mental fatigue. It is so prevalent and fast-acting that just one dose of aromatherapy using this oil can jumpstart the brain to race again. Part of the reason for this reaction is the way this oil can increase blood circulation that helps the brain reenergize. This reality is why several studies are being performed to see if Rosemary essential oil can actually improve brain function in older adults with Alzheimer’s.

Fun Fact: The brain function abilities have been known and used since ancient Greece and Rome.

3. Relieves Stress

Along with Rosemary essential oil promoting better blood circulation that can improve brain functionality (and help one stay warmer), the scent itself also has a wonderful way of reducing stress as well. The soothing aroma can help the body release tension, lower cortisol levels, and help those feeling stressed to achieve a more peaceful mindset. For some backup evidence, there was a study conducted where 22 adults sniffed Rosemary essential oil for five minutes. The results found that the stress hormones in their saliva lowered by 23% versus the controlled group who smelled a non-aromatic oil.

4. Excellent Liver Detox

Believe it or not, Rosemary essential oil can be a great way to have an effective liver detox. Several studies have found this oil can release bile, which is a vital part of fat digestion. It is also believed that it can help release the body’s natural antioxidant defenses to protect the liver.  Herbalists and naturopaths often leverage rosemary for its Rosmarinus Acid (RA) compound that fights against liver disease.

5. Avid Wound Healer

Rosemary essential oil contains various biological bioactivities such as antifungal, insecticide, antioxidant, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective. Because of this, using this oil topically to disinfect wounds and speed up the healing process is ideal. This, in conjunction with improving blood circulation as mentioned above, allows for the body to target and rectify wounds timely and naturally.

Fun Fact: The elements that Rosemary essential oil also protects the skin cells from future damages involving the sun and free radicals.

6. Strong Respiratory Remediator and Decongestant

Being replete with antibacterial properties, Rosemary essential oil can help remediate a host of respiratory and congesting concerns. The scent itself can help soothe throat congestion, treat allergy derived side effects, and support the healing from sore throats, colds, and the flu. Not to mention that the antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory qualities of this oil also make it a solid choice to treat asthma and bronchitis.

7. Offers Natural Pain Relief

After studies were performed indicating that Rosemary essential oil can be much more effective than acetaminophen for pain management, it makes it an excellent and natural way to relieve pain without the risk of adverse side effects. From sprains to joint pains, the oil's anti-inflammatory agents can stimulate blood circulation, ease pain, and make the healing process speed up. For the best results, mix about two drops of Rosemary essential oil, two drops of Peppermint Oil, and one teaspoon of Coconut Oil together and apply to the aching/sore areas.

8. Healthy Insect Repellent

With Rosemary essential oil, there will no longer need to be a debate of whether to be subjected to the harsh chemicals in commercial insect repellents or get bitten up. Rosemary essential oil can be used to develop a chemical-free and highly effective mosquito and insect repellent to keep bugs away without harming health as a direct result. To make this repellent, add about 20 drops of Rosemary essential oil for every ounce of distilled water. Mix it together and contain it in a spray bottle to use on the body and to spray on windows and doors to keep bugs from getting inside.

Fun Fact: Some say that during the bubonic plague (Black Death), people would scatter rosemary branches on their floors, windows, and doorways to ward off disease.

9. May Help Fight Cancer

Rosemary essential oil contains some exceptional phytochemicals. Thus far, about 400-500 phytochemicals have been discovered within this oil, making it a beautiful resource for

various bioactive compounds. With this, one study found that Rosemary essential oil has protective effects against hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity is a toxic effect of the chemical drugs on the liver that are caused by cyclophosphamide, which is a commonly used chemotherapy drug. All of this indicates that using Rosemary essential oil may help fight and prevent cancer, but future studies still need to confirm this.

10. Natural Oral Health Resource

Another benefit of Rosemary essential oil is how popular it is to treat bad breath and increase oral hygiene. This oil contains anti-microbial properties that kill the bacteria that cause bad breath, in turn, illuminating fresher breath. In addition, this antibacterial feature means this oil can also prevent tooth decay, plaque build-up, gingivitis, and cavities from forming. To use this oil effectivity for oral health, try creating a mouth wash out of it. Mix together about 20 drops of the oil with a cup of distilled water. Use this mixture to gently treat dental problems naturally.

11. Immune System Enhancer

Lastly, Rosemary essential oil can remediate a diverse range of health concerns and position the body to reduce getting sick again in the future. This oil's antifungal and antibacterial properties are said to boost the immune system so the body can optimally fight against diseases and free radicals ranging from the common cold to more severe concerns like heart disease. Massaging diluted oil onto the body or breathing the aroma via aromatherapy will guide the immune system to destress, rejuvenate, and strengthen for long-term quality health effects.

Conclusion - Leveraging the Dew of the Sea

Native to the Mediterranean, derived from the aromatic herb Rosmarinus Officinalis, and holding a Latin name that translates to “Dew of the Sea,” Rosemary essential oil has been circulating in the world since ancient times. It was highly favored by the ancient Greeks, Hebrews, and Egyptians and is still more popular than ever before in the present day.

Overall, Rosemary essential oil is a well-known and diverse medical agent because of its main constituents of α-Pinene, Camphor, 1,8-Cineol, Camphene, Limonene, and Linalool, and is proven to enhance life quality with its vast list of advantages. In the end, whether it is being utilized for stress, to improve mental clarity, or for its broad health increasing properties, have the peace of mind knowing that this opulent oil will not disappoint.

Written by Amber Dean