Rosemary

(Rosmarinus Officinalis)

Description: evergreen shrub of Mediterranean origin, that can reach 50-200 cm in height. It has deep, fibrous and sturdy roots. The light brown trunks branch out upwards. The leaves are numerous, thin and elongated, and dark green in color. The small flowers bloom in the shades of purple/light-blue.

The word “rosemary” comes from Latin words ros (dew) and maris (from the sea).

Rosemary had a sacred impact for ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations: key experiences in life, such as love and death, were often accompanied by its pleasant presence. The Arabs used it frequently, as they believed that it could engage the brain and prop memory.

• Characteristics: very spicy scent, stimulant and lightly camphorated. 

• Extraction: the whole plant is distilled during the blooming period.

• Properties:
  • Stimulating and revitalizing
  • Helps with memory and concentration
  • Purifying and tonic for the skin
  • Hypertensive, sweat-inducing, diuretic
  • Hepatic regenerative and draining properties
  • Antiseptic, antibacterial 

• Traditional uses: rosemary holds the heat of the Mediterranean sun inside its dense leaves. Thanks to its fiery nature, the extracted essential oil has excellent stimulant and revitalizing properties against tiredness. Rosemary also has a strong influence on the mind and the heart: it strengthens self-confidence on a physical, psychological and spiritual level. It reinforces our personality and teaches us to look forward and appreciate all the shades of live. It is very useful for the shy and introvert. It helps mastering emotions and aids with communication issues. The essential oil irrorates the body with energy and motivation to effectively open up to others. Furthermore, it stimulates mental clarity and cognitive functions, allowing to see life in an objective, illusion-free manner. It favors memory, focus and attention, making it a precious ally when studying or requiring to memorize large amounts of information.
  Due to its invigorating features, rosemary is recommended for morning use, before experiencing the influences of the outside world. It can increase masculine sexual drive, help with impotence, performance anxiety and premature ejaculation.
  Rosemary oil is effective against hair loss and dandruff. It purifies oily and impure skin and is great for massaging contracted muscles. It also aids liver function and digestion.

It blends well with: lavender, incense, peppermint, Indian basil and cardamom. 

• Contraindications: the use of rosemary essential oil should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, on small children and those who suffer from epilepsy or convulsions. Uses in the evening may hinder sleep.

• Recommendations: 
  • Memory
    • Vaporize 10 drops with an aromatherapy diffuser.
  • Self-confidence
    • Apply 1 drop under the sole of the feet, on the wrists, behind the ears and on the solar plexus.
  • Muscle contractures
    • Massage the affected area with 7-8 diluted drops (in other vegetable oil).
  • Hypotension
    • Apply 1-2 drops on the solar plexus and on the wrists.
  • Dandruff, hair loss
    • Massage 3-4 diluted drops on the scalp.

Bibliography:

• Dr. Beate Rieder, Fred Wollner, Dizionario degli oli essenziali, Daigo Press, (2003).
• F. Canteri, Guida completa agli oli essenziali, Il punto d’incontro, (2015).
• Fabio Nocentini, Prontuario di aromaterapia, Daigo Press, (2010).
• Dott. Leonardo Paoluzzi, Phytos Olea, Morphema Editrice, (2013).