Name
ROSEMARY
Latin
Name:
Rosmarinus officinalis
Other
Names
Sea
Dew, Our Lady's Rose, Rosemarine
Parts
Used
Above ground portion
Description
Perennial
Herb from the Mint (Labiatae) family.
Rosemary
is a bushy evergreen shrub with aromatic linear leaves, native to the Mediterranean basin and Portugal,
The
Latin ros marinus, means 'dew of the sea' as the plant grows well near the
Mediterranean sea coast and sea foam sprays upon it.
Overview
and Mythology.
Rosemary
has long been considered a symbol of friendship and loyalty -- 'Rosemary is
for remembrance'. Rosemary
has been used in Europe since ancient times as a tonic, stimulant, and
carminative to treat dyspepsia, headaches, and nervous tension Ancient Greek scholars would wear laurels of Rosemary
on their heads to
improve memory and concentration when taking examinations. In
China, rosemary preparations have been used for centuries for the same
purposes especially to treat headaches In weddings, brides would wear a wreath of Rosemary and carry it in their bridal
bouquets so that they would remember their families and their marriage vows.
It was also used at funerals and religious ceremonies as protection from evil
and to remember the dead. It was
often buried with the dead as well. Indeed
its antiseptic aroma could help prevent the spread of infection. During the sixteenth century, Europeans carried pouches of
Rosemary to ward off the plague. The branches were strewn in legal courts to
prevent the spread of typhus
The approved
modern therapeutic applications for Rosemary leaf are supportable based on its
long history of use in well established systems of traditional medicine, in
vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies in animals, and on well
documented phytochemical investigations
A study done at Rutgers State University
found that Rosemary had preservative qualities more powerful and safer than
the common food additives
1.BHA
[Butylated
Hydroxyanisole -Butylated Hydroxyanisole is a Synthetic Antioxidant commonly
used as a Food Preservative in Processed Foods but also utilized as a food
supplement.]
2.
BHT[Butylated Hydroxytoluene is an Antioxidant food preservative that is also
used as a dietary supplement.BHT alleviates the after-effects of Alcohol
consumption]
Constituents.
Rosemary
Contains these Substances
Alpha-Hydroxy
Acids:
Glycolic Acid
Bioflavonoids:
Apigenin, Diosmin, Luteolin
Minerals:
Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Potassium
Organic
Acids: {triterpenes}
Carnosic Acid, Oleanic Acid, Rosmaric Acid,
Rosmarinic
Acid - Rosmarinic Acid is a potent
Antioxidant. it inhibits the activity of Elastase (an Enzyme that catalyzes
the breakdown of Elastin)
Ursolic Acid
-
1.
strengthens
the Capillaries.
2.
Ursolic
Acid alleviates Edema.
3.
Ursolic
Acid inhibits HIV Protease (an enzyme involved in the replication of the HIV
virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)).
Ursolic Acid alleviates Allergies (it inhibits Mast Cell degranulation
and Histamine release from Mast Cells in the presence of Antigens).
4.
Ursolic
Acid possesses Antioxidant properties.
5.
Ursolic
Acid helps to alleviate Enlarged Prostate.
6.
Ursolic
Acid increases the body’s production/activity of Catalase.
Other
sources of ursolic acid – Sage, Thyme, Holy Basil
Olive
Oil
Volatile Oils:
Borneol, Camphene ,Camphor, Carnosol,
Carvacrol, Cineol, Epirosmanol, Isorosmanol,
Linalol, Pinene, Rosmanol
[Rosmanol is a potent Antioxidant (its
Antioxidant activity is approximately four times greater than that of the
synthetic Antioxidant, Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)], Thymol, Verbenol.
Other:
Carvone, Rosmaricine, Safrole,Terpinen
Tannins,
Heterosides,
Resin.
Dosage Recommendations
Most herbalists recommend 3 - 12 grams of Rosemary per day for
therapeutic purposes.
Applications.
Tea,
Tincture, Capsules
Medicinal
Actions
Anodyne, Antibacterial, Antidepressant,
Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic,
Aromatic, Astringent, Cardiotonic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Circulatory
Stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive Tonic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue,
Hypertensive, Nervine, Rejuvenative, Stimulant, Stomach Tonic, Tonic.
Used
in the following internal illnessess
Anxiety,
Asthma, Debility, Depression, Dyspepsia, Epilepsy, Fatigue, Flatulence, Food
Poisoning, Headache, Rheumatism, Stress, Vertigo
Health
Benefits of Rosemary
Cardiovascular System
Rosemary improves Blood Circulation.
Rosemary decreases the permeability and fragility of the Capillaries (due to
Diosmin).
Rosemary (leaf extracts) lowers Blood Pressure in Hypertension patients.
Digestive System
Rosemary stimulates the flow of Bile.
Rosemary (infusion used as a mouthwash) alleviates Halitosis.
Used internally for flatulence, feeling of distension, and mild cramp-like
gastrointestinal and biliary upsets
Excretory System
Rosemary increases the production and flow of Urine (i.e. it functions as
a diuretic).
Hair
Rosemary
(infusion applied topically to the Hair) enhances and highlights the Hair
Color of brunettes and redheads.
Rosemary
(oil massaged into the Scalp or Rosemary infusion used as a shampoo) helps to
prevent Hair Loss (by stimulating the activities of Hair Follicles).
Immune System
Rosemary alleviates Allergies (due to the Ursolic Acid content of Rosemary
inhibiting Mast Cell degranulation and Histamine release from Mast Cells in
the presence of Antigens).
Rosemary
helps to prevent Breast Cancer (due to the Carnosol content of Rosemary)
Rosemary
kills some forms of Detrimental Bacteria (due to its Volatile Oil components).
Rosemary
inhibits some types of Detrimental Fungi.
Metabolism
Rosemary contains several potent Antioxidants (including Carnosol and
Rosmanol).
Musculoskeletal
System
Rosemary
alleviates Gout (due to its diuretic properties).
Rosemary (oil applied topically) soothes aching Muscles.
Rosemary alleviates Rheumatism.
Nervous System
Rosemary
is a Central Nervous System (CNS stimulant:
Rosemary (oil utilized in Aromatherapy)
increases the generation of Beta Waves by the Brain (Beta Waves are associated
wakefulness/Attention).
Rosemary alleviates Headaches of nervous
origin.
Rosemary (Rosemary tea consumed
internally) improves Memory.
Rosemary (applied topically to the
Teeth/Gums) temporarily alleviates the pain associated with Toothache.
Respiratory System
Rosemary
alleviates the symptoms of Emphysema.
Sexual System - Female
Rosemary
facilitates and regulates Menstruation.
Rosemary Enhances the Function of these Substances
Rosemary
increases the activity of Quinone Reductase (in the Liver).
Rosemary Inhibits these Potentially Toxic Substances
Rosemary
(weakly) inhibits the activity of Elastase (an enzyme that catalyzes the
breakdown of Elastin) (due to the Rosmarinic Acid content of Rosemary).
External
Medicinal Use
Balding,
Canker Sores, Capillary Weakness, Dandruff, Gingivitis, Gray Hair, Headache,
Insect Repellent, Muscle Soreness, Neuralgia, Sciatica, Sore Throat
Applications.
Skin toner as a rejuvenative. Important
ingredient in Queen of Hungary water, a popular beauty tonic. When used on the skin it helps to strengthen the capillaries.
Sachets
of dried Rosemary are placed in a pillowcase to stimulate dreams. Bath herb
acts as a rejuvenative and helps sore muscles.
Gargle
for sore throat, gum ailments, canker sores and breath freshener.
Eyewash.
Used
in shampoos and conditioners for dandruff, dark hair premature graying and
hair loss.
It
is a potpourri ingredient that repels moths.
Essential
oil is used in perfume, toothpaste, insect repellants and massage oil, as well
as a liniment for neuralgia, sciatica and sore muscles.
Add
a few drops of Rosemary oil to a freshly washed hairbrush for delightfully
aromatic hair.
Energetics.
Pungent, Bitter, Warm, Dry
Contra
indications and side effect
None
known.
Avoid excessively large doses which can
cause miscarriage, convulsions and -- if one really pushes it - death.
Interactions
with Other Drugs
None
known.
Use During Pregnancy and Lactation
Not recommended during pregnancy. No restrictions known during
lactation
Doctrine of
signatures
Rosemary
grows best in light dry soils and chalky and stony ground. The habitat led
early herbalists to use it against {obstruction in the viscera}, which also
led to its use in kidney dis-ease.
Its aroma led it to be used for nervousness and its efficacy in mental
relaxation and memory evolved.
Astrology
Sun in
Aries
Chakra
Affects 2nd, 3rd, 6th
chakra.
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