Rosmarinus officinalis.   Rosemary  Family: Labiateae     
‘Rosemary for remembrance' Well known culinary herb.
PART USED: Leaves and twigs
ODOR: Characteristic  FLAVOR: Camphoraceous
ACTIONS
GROUP: Herbs for the mind and emotions- Increasing memory and concentration- Thymoleptics
1. Thymoleptic.[1,2,3]
2. Antispasmodic.[1,3]
3. Bitter tonic.[3]
4. Carminative.[1] Stomachic.[3]
5. Sedative nervine.[1,2,3]
6. Cholagogue.
7. Diaphoretic.[3]
8. Diuretic.[1]
9. Antimicrobial.[1] Antiseptic.[3]
10. Anti-inflammatory.[3]
11. Astringent.[3]
Topically-  Rubefacient.[1] Analgesic- mild.[1] Parasiticide.[1] Used in shampoo- stimulates hair follicle, dandruff control, antioxidant.[4]
INDICATIONS- Well known culinary herb. Also used in shampoos.
1. Headaches, including migraine, and hypertensive headaches-[1] local also.  Nervous ailments generally.  Sciatica intercostal neuralgia.
2. Depression especially with general and circulatory weakness.
3. Hepatic insufficiency. Gallstones.
4. Dandruff and hair loss. Wrinkles and freckles. Wounds.
5. Heart ailments generally. Palpitations
6. Indigestion generally. Flatulent dyspepsia associated with nervous tension.[1]
7. Myalgia gout.  Muscle spasm sprains.
Topically- Myalgia.[1] Sciatica.[1] Intercostal neuralgia.[1]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Depressive states with general debiltiy and indications of cardio-vascular weakness.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Depression, use with Oats, Kola nuts and Verbena.
- Migraine, use with Sage, Gelsemium and Valerium.
PREPARATIONS
Dried tops  2-4 g, or by infusion[1] 1:20.Rosemary is often prepared as a tea 1-2 g leaf in 150 ml boiling water for 5-10 minutes then straining.[4]
Fluid extract  1:1 in 45%[1,4,6]  60%[5] 2-4 ml.[1]
Local-  Liniment  Rosemary oil 10% in alcohol. Volatile oil as a scalp tonic. Foot-bath or full bath.


Oil BPC1973.[3]
Rosemary spirit BPC1949 0.3-1.2 ml.[3]
Essential oil- External uses only
Should be used mixed with a carrier oil and not applied to the skin neat.[4]
INDICATIONS
1. Alopecia areata- a combination of essential oils including Rosemary 3 drops, Thyme 2 drops , Lavender 3 drops , Cedarwood 2 drops all mixed with 3 ml Jojoba oil and 20 ml grapeseed oil.[4]
ORIGIN: Southern Europe, growing abundantly on the dry rocky hills of the Mediterranean region. Cultivated widely elsewhere.
DESCRIPTION: Evergreen shrub, grows to 1.5 m. Stem; woody, quadrangular, branched. Leaves; linear to linear-lanceolate, 1-4 cm long, 2-4 mm broad. Flowers; blue, lipped, with two stamens.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents.
Research.
Rasmarinic acid has been used as possible treatment for septic shock, since it suppresses the endotoxin-induced activation of complement, and thromboxane Az.[1]
The anti-inflammatory effect of Rosemary extracts may be due to rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid and apigenin, all of which have this effect.[2]
Diosmin is reported to be more effective in decreasing capillary fragility than rutin. (See Rue ).[2]
A rosmaricine derivative has stimulant and mild analgesic activity.[2]
Rosemary has long been a popular ingredient of hair preparations, shapmoos and tonics.[3]
References
[1] Tattje, D.H.E. (1970) Pharm. Weekbl, 105, 1241
[2] Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, Albert Y. Leung. Pub. John Wiley & Sons Inc. (1980) NY
[3] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations  R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.

Rosemary and cancer prevention: preclinical perspectives. Ngo SN1, Williams DB, Head RJ.
Abstract: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Australia. Nutrition, particularly intake of vegetables and certain plant components, has been reported to have a major role in cancer risk reduction. Recently, there has been a growing research interest in rosemary, a common household plant grown in many parts of the world. This study aims to review scientific evidence from all studies, published from 1996 to March 2010 that examined the protective effects of rosemary on colorectal cancer and other types of cancer. Literature evidence from animal and cell culture studies demonstrates the anticancer potential of rosemary extract, carnosol, carnosic acid, ursolic acid, and rosmarinic acid. No evidence for other rosemary constituents was found. The reported anticancer properties were found to arise through the molecular changes in the multiple-stage process of cancer development, which are dose related and not tissue or species specific. This is evidenced by the ability of rosemary to suppress the development of tumors in several organs including the colon, breast, liver, stomach, as well as melanoma and leukemia cells. The results suggested that the different molecular targets modulated by rosemary and its active constituents are useful indicators of success in clinical cancer chemo-prevention trials.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2011 Dec;51(10):946-54. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2010.490883. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of rosemary extracts linked to their polyphenol composition. Moreno S1, Scheyer T, Romano CS, Vojnov AA.
Abstract: Rosmarinus officinalis extracts were investigated by a combination of bioassays and biochemical analysis to identify bioactive compounds. The 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydracyl hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging method, Folin-Ciocaulteau method and HPLC chromatography were used to study the distribution and levels of antioxidants (AOXs). Antimicrobial activity analysis was carried out using the disk diffusion and broth dilution techniques. A good correlation between the AOX activities and total phenol content in the extracts was found. Although all rosemary extracts showed a high radical scavenging activity, a different efficacy as antimicrobial agent was observed. Methanol extract containing 30% of carnosic acid, 16% of carnosol and 5% of rosmarinic acid was the most effective antimicrobial against Gram positive bacteria (minimal inhibition concentration, MIC, between 2 and 15 mug/ml), Gram negative bacteria (MIC between 2 and 60 mug/ml) and yeast (MIC of 4 mug/ml). By contrast, water extract containing only 15% of rosmarinic acid showed a narrow activity. MIC value of the methanol and water extracts is in a good correlation with the values obtained with pure carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, respectively. Therefore, our results suggested that the antimicrobial rosemary extracts efficacy was associated with their specific phenolic composition. Carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid may be the main bioactive antimicrobial compounds present in rosemary extracts. From a practical point of view, rosemary extract may be a good candidate for functional foods as well as for pharmaceutical plant-based products.
Free Radic Res. 2006 Feb;40(2):223-31. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil in experimental animal models.
Takaki I1, Bersani-Amado LE, Vendruscolo A, Sartoretto SM, Diniz SP, Bersani-Amado CA, Cuman RK.
Abstract
Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Family Lamiaceae), popularly named rosemary, is a common household plant grown in many parts of the world, including Brazil. Rosemary leaves are used for food flavoring and have been used in folk medicine for many conditions; they have antispasmodic, analgesic, antirheumatic, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, and antiepileptic effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of rosemary essential oil (REO) on experimental models of nociception and inflammation in animals. The anti-inflammatory effect of REO was evaluated by inflammatory exudate volume and leukocyte migration in carrageenan-induced pleurisy and carrageenan-induced paw edema tests in rats. Antinociception was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests in mice. REO (500 mg/kg) significantly reduced the volume of pleural exudate and slightly decreased the number of cells that had migrated compared with the control animals. At doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg, REO significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced edema 1-4 hours after injection of the phlogistic agent. In the hot plate test, REO administration (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) showed unremarkable effects on response latency, whereas control injection of meperidine induced significant antinociceptive effects. REO at doses of 70, 125, and 250 mg/kg had a significant antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test compared with control animals. These data suggest that REO possesses anti-inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive activity.J Med Food. 2008 Dec;11(4):741-6. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2007.0524. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rosemary and cancer prevention: preclinical perspectives. Ngo SN1, Williams DB, Head RJ.
Abstract: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Australia. Nutrition, particularly intake of vegetables and certain plant components, has been reported to have a major role in cancer risk reduction. Recently, there has been a growing research interest in rosemary, a common household plant grown in many parts of the world. This study aims to review scientific evidence from all studies, published from 1996 to March 2010 that examined the protective effects of rosemary on colorectal cancer and other types of cancer. Literature evidence from animal and cell culture studies demonstrates the anticancer potential of rosemary extract, carnosol, carnosic acid, ursolic acid, and rosmarinic acid. No evidence for other rosemary constituents was found. The reported anticancer properties were found to arise through the molecular changes in the multiple-stage process of cancer development, which are dose related and not tissue or species specific. This is evidenced by the ability of rosemary to suppress the development of tumors in several organs including the colon, breast, liver, stomach, as well as melanoma and leukemia cells. The results suggested that the different molecular targets modulated by rosemary and its active constituents are useful indicators of success in clinical cancer chemo-prevention trials.
  Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2011 Dec;51(10):946-54. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2010.490883. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov