Rosemary Essential Oil: 12 Scientifically Proven Benefits.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a shrub with very fine and persistent leaves, in the shape of spikes, with a camphoric scent (1).
It is often used in cooking as an aromatic herb.
But did you know that rosemary is also one of the most widely used medicinal plants in the world (2)?
Rosemary essential oil, which can be found in small vials, is an extract of the volatile components of the plant, that is, its plant essence.
Despite its name, this plant essence is not really an oil, as it contains no fat (1, 3).
In traditional medicine, rosemary oil is renowned for its incredible therapeutic properties.
Thus, many researchers are now conducting studies on the health benefits of rosemary essential oil (4).
Most research is only just beginning, but some traditional uses of rosemary oil have already been scientifically proven, and studies point to promising new applications.
So, without further ado, here is the 12 benefits and uses ofrosemary essential oil. Look :
1. Improves memory and concentration
The ancient Greeks and Romans used rosemary to strengthen memory (5).
Modern scientific studies indicate that inhaled rosemary essential oil (ET) helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (6, 7).
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in several cognitive functions, including memory and concentration.
In one such study, 20 young adults were asked to solve math problems in a room emitting rosemary EO.
Researchers have found that the longer the duration of rosemary EO release, the faster and more accurately young adults will solve their problems.
Researchers also found an increase in some of the rosemary compounds in the blood of participants, proving that when rosemary's EO is released, it is absorbed by the body (6).
In a similar study, nursing students took a written exam while diffusing essential oils.
Researchers have found better concentration and better memory skills in students who breathe in rosemary EO, compared to lavender EO or no essential oil. (8)
Other studies indicate that inhalations of essential oils like rosemary help improve brain function in older people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease (9).
These early results are promising, but more research is needed.
In summary
Rosemary EO inhalations help increase concentration and strengthen memory. They also help fight memory loss as you age.
To discover : According to Study: Smelling Rosemary Increases Memory by 75%.
2. Stimulates hair growth
Androgenetic alopecia is a gradual and permanent loss of hair, better known as male pattern baldness, although this condition also affects women (10).
However, studies show that rosemary EO helps fight androgenetic alopecia.
It prevents a derivative of testosterone from inactivating hair follicles - the main cause of this condition (11).
In one study, men with androgenetic alopecia massaged their scalp with diluted rosemary EO twice a day for 6 months.
Following this treatment, the researchers found the same increase in hair thickness as in men who used minoxidil, a powerful drug commonly prescribed for hair regrowth.
Additionally, those who use rosemary EO report less itchy scalp than those who use minoxidil.
For researchers, this indicates that rosemary would be better tolerated by the body (12).
Another study indicates that rosemary EO is an effective treatment for alopecia areata, or alopecia areata.
This localized plaque disease affects up to 50% of the population under the age of 21, and about 20% of people over the age of 40 (13).
During the study, people with alopecia areata rub an EO mixture of rosemary on their scalp every day for 7 months.
Researchers found a decrease in hair loss in 44% of participants, compared to only 15% in the control group who used a blend of neutral oils (14).
In summary
According to the above studies, the EO of rosemary helps fight certain hair loss conditions, including male pattern baldness and alopecia areata.
3. Relieves pain
In traditional medicine, rosemary is recognized for its pain relieving properties (15).
In one study, researchers administered acupressure treatment to stroke victims with shoulder pain.
After 2 weeks of sessions with rosemary EO (20 minutes and twice a day), the researchers observed a 30% reduction in pain.
Those who received only acupressure sessions (without rosemary EO) saw their pain decrease by only 15% (16).
Additionally, an animal study found that rosemary EO is slightly more effective against pain than paracetamol, one of the most widely used non-prescription pain relievers in the world (15).
In summary
In traditional medicine, the essential oil of rosemary is recognized for its pain relieving properties. Preliminary studies confirm that this is indeed an effective treatment for relieving pain. Studies also indicate that rosemary EO is even more effective than paracetamol.
4. Repels harmful insects
To avoid harmful insect bites or prevent them from attacking your garden, know that rosemary essential oil is a 100% natural alternative to commercial chemical pesticides.
In one study, researchers sprayed rosemary EO-based pesticide (EcoTrol) on greenhouse tomato plants.
They found that EcoTrol reduced infestations of spider mites, a major crop pest, by 52% without harming tomato plants (17).
Rosemary is also an effective remedy for repelling certain species of sucking insects, which feed on blood and can spread harmful viruses and bacteria.
A study of 12 essential oils has shown that rosemary has the longest repellent effect against Aedes aegypti, a species of tiger mosquito that transmits dengue fever and the Zika virus.
Indeed, a dilution to 12.5% EO rosemary repels 100% of these mosquitoes over a period of 90 minutes (18, 19).
In a similar study, researchers found that rosemary 10% EO sprays were as effective as bifenthrin.
This chemical pesticide is commonly used in the Northeastern United States to prevent the spread of ticks, which transmit Lyme disease (20).
In summary
Used in natural pesticides, rosemary EO is effective in eliminating certain insect pests. In addition, the EO of rosemary helps ward off certain insects that feed on blood, especially mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and ticks.
To discover : Ticks: the Best Safest Way to Get Rid of Ticks.
5. Reduces stress and anxiety
There are many factors that can cause stress, including school exams.
However, a scientific study has shown that inhalations of EO of rosemary help reduce anxiety related to school exams.
When nursing students inhaled rosemary EO through an inhaler before and during an exam, their pulse dropped 9%.
Researchers did not find any change in pulse in students who did not receive rosemary EO inhalation (8).
A higher pulse is a symptom of acute stress and anxiety. Thus, researchers believe that the EO of rosemary can naturally reduce stress (21).
In another study, 22 young adults inhaled rosemary EO for 5 min. Following these inhalations, the researchers analyzed the participants' saliva.
They found a 23% decrease in the stress hormone cortisol in those who smelled rosemary EO, compared to a control group (22).
However, increased levels of cortisol in the body can weaken the immune system, contribute to insomnia and cause mood swings (23).
In summary
Studies show that just breathing in rosemary EO helps reduce stress levels during a situation like an exam. Rosemary EO can also lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can have harmful effects on the body.
6. Improves blood circulation
Poor circulation of blood in the hands and feet is a recurring problem.
Do you often get cold fingers or toes, even when the temperature is relatively cool?
So, know that rosemary essential oil may be the solution to your little cooling problems.
In a study of Raynaud's disease, a woman with the circulation disorder received hand massages with an EO blend of rosemary.
The woman said massages with rosemary EO were more effective at warming fingers than massages with neutral oil.
These benefits have been confirmed by thermal imaging of female hands (24).
In people with Raynaud’s disease, the blood vessels in the fingers and toes constrict when exposed to cold or under stress.
As a result, circulation is slowed down, which explains the changes in color and the feeling of cooling.
Rosemary EO helps dilate small blood vessels, which helps warm the blood so that it can flow more easily to the fingers and toes (25).
Although more research is needed to confirm these benefits, rosemary EO appears to be an effective and inexpensive remedy.
In summary
If you have cold fingers or toes, massaging with rosemary EO can help warm them up. Studies indicate that rosemary EO may also help fight Raynaud's disease.
7. Fights fatigue and gives a boost
In traditional medicine, rosemary essential oil is a recognized remedy for combating fatigue and nervous tension (26).
In one study, researchers asked 20 healthy young adults to breathe rosemary EO and compare its effects to a placebo oil.
Researchers have found that those who breathe in rosemary EO report about 30% reduction in mental tension and about 25% reduction in fatigue levels (1).
This increase in mental alertness has been measured by changes in brain waves and an increase in heart rate, breathing and blood pressure (1).
Diluted and applied to the skin, rosemary EO rapidly penetrates the skin to reach the brain.
Thus, it has similar invigorating properties topically (26).
In a study in 35 healthy people, researchers evaluated the effects of an EO application of rosemary on the skin, compared to a placebo oil.
After just 20 min, those who received rosemary EO noted a marked increase in levels of focus, mental alertness, energy and well-being (26).
In summary
Small studies indicate that rosemary EO helps fight fatigue and improves mental alertness, energy levels and mood.
8. Relieves arthritis
According to studies, the EO of rosemary helps reduce tissue inflammation associated with swelling, pain and stiffness in the joints (4, 27).
Researchers believe that the EO of rosemary works by slowing down white blood cells, which migrate to injured tissue to diffuse inflammatory substances there (28).
In one study, people with rheumatoid arthritis were massaged their knees with an EO mixture of rosemary, 15 minutes, 3 times a week.
In just 2 weeks, inflammatory knee pain was reduced by 50%, compared to 12% in those who received massages without rosemary EO (29).
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks tissues in the knees, fingers and other joints, deforming the joints and causing inflammation.
More research is needed to assess the anti-inflammatory impact of rosemary.
In summary
Studies show that diluted rosemary EO skin applications help reduce inflammation caused by injury or rheumatoid arthritis.
9. Fight against digestive disorders
Animal studies indicate that the EO of rosemary helps stimulate the production of bile, which plays an important role in the digestion of fat.
Researchers believe that the EO of rosemary also helps boost antioxidants that protect the liver (33, 34, 35).
10. Fight against food poisoning
Rosemary EO helps inhibit the growth of some of the bacteria that cause food poisoning.
On the other hand, this use requires the ingestion of a food grade oil, and in very small and extremely precise quantities.
Thus, do not try at home or without consulting a doctor (36, 37, 38).
11. Limits the side effects of antibiotics
According to studies, essential oils like rosemary can increase the effectiveness of some antibiotics.
Researchers believe that this would allow lower doses of these drugs to be administered, thereby reducing their side effects (3, 39, 40).
12. Decreases resistance to antibiotics
Essential oils such as rosemary can weaken the cell walls of bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
What's more, studies indicate that essential oils also help antibiotics penetrate bacteria better (3, 41, 42).
An easy-to-use essential oil
Rosemary essential oil can be used inhaled Where topically (in skin application).
Particularly concentrated, it should only be used a few drops at a time.
Rosemary essential oil is sold in small bottles fitted with droppers.
This makes it easy and precise to pour the essential oil drop by drop.
Traditional medicine and some manufacturers argue that essential oils are safe to swallow or consume.
However, there is no scientific evidence to prove the benefits of internal use of essential oils, especially over the long term.
Essential oils should not be consumed orally without consulting a doctor first.
Here are some tips on how to easily use rosemary essential oil inhaled Where in skin application :
Inhalation : The easiest way to inhale rosemary essential oil is to simply open a bottle, hold it near your nose, and breathe.
You can also pour a few drops of EO on a piece of cloth or a tissue, and hold it close to your face.
To spread essential oils in the air, many people use an essential oil diffuser, like this one
Be aware that with a diffuser, it is difficult to determine the exact amount of essential oil you are inhaling.
Thus, in general, the use of an essential oil diffuser is not recommended near babies and young children.
In skin application : As is the case with all essential oils, using rosemary EO by skin application allows rapid passage into the blood.
If you are using an essential oil topically (on the skin), it is recommended that you dilute it with a neutral vegetable oil base, such as jojoba oil.
Diluting not only helps prevent possible skin irritation, but also prevents your essential oil from evaporating too quickly (43).
Here's how to dilute your essential oils for use on the skin for adults :
- Recommended dilution: 2 to 4%
- How to do it: dilute 3 to 6 drops of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil.
Once diluted, apply rosemary essential oil to the soles of the feet or the affected area.
Next, rub the skin to improve blood circulation and essential oil absorption (29).
As with all essential oils, avoid applying rosemary EO to sensitive areas, such as lesions on the skin, around the eyes, or in the eyes.
In general, the use of rosemary essential oil is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, babies and adolescents.
Likewise, rosemary essential oil is not recommended for people with epilepsy and high blood pressure, as it can make these conditions worse (44, 45, 46).
Conclusion
Modern scientific studies confirm the many virtues of rosemary essential oil, the benefits of which have been recognized for centuries by traditional medicine.
Most of the research is preliminary, but studies indicate that rosemary EO does have incredible health benefits.
It helps in particular to improve cognitive functions, stimulate concentration and mental alertness, fight against hair loss, relieve pain and arthritis, repel certain species of insects and reduce stress.
Plus, enjoying the benefits of rosemary essential oil is easy.
You can use it undiluted by inhalation or diluted by skin application. Only a few drops are sufficient, as it is a very concentrated oil.
Your turn...
Have you tried these uses and benefits of rosemary essential oil? Tell us in the comments if it worked for you. We can't wait to hear from you!
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