Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil is an energising oil with stimulating properties making it perfect for relieving physical and emotional fatigue. It also has antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which makes
Rosemary essential oil great for soothing cuts and stings and also treating fungal conditions such as athletes’ foot. It can also be used as an effective anti-bacterial spray for household cleaning.
You can add Rosemary to shampoo to help get rid of dandruff and encourage hair growth, it’s great for conditioning the hair and scalp.
BENEFITS
Rosemary essential oil has the following healing properties:
Antiseptic, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Diuretic, Stimulating, Anti-depressant, Anti-spasmodic, Hypertensive, Tonic and Vulnerary.
Fatigue – Rosemary can help to relieve fatigue due to its stimulating properties.
Muscles and joint pain – due to its anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties Rosemary can be used to soothe muscular strains, sports injuries, sprains and rheumatism.
Hair conditions – Rosemary is good for promoting hair growth and can help with conditions such as alopecia, it is also good for treating conditions of the scalp such as dandruff.
Liver decongestant – due to its diuretic properties Rosemary can be used to help with liver conditions.
Improves circulation – Rosemary can also be used to improve circulation due to its hypertensive.
Digestive issues – Rosemary can be effective in relieving intestinal upsets and fluid retention.
Respiratory conditions – Rosemary can be used to soothe coughs, chest congestion and headaches.
Wounds - its antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties make Rosemary effective for treating cuts, bits and scrapes.
Fungal conditions- Rosemary is an anti-fungal oil which makes it effective for treating fungal conditions such as athlete’s food.
BLENDS
Whilst most essential oils can be used together some oils can overpower other oils. Rosemary goes particularly well with oils such as:
Cedarwood
Citronella
Geranium
Lavender
Lemongrass
Peppermint
Basil
Frankincense
Sage
Thyme
WAYS TO USE
DIFFUSE
Rosemary essential oil can be used in diffusers or oil burners. Using Rosemary essential oil in this way is particularly beneficial in relieving headaches, relieving congestion and sinusitis as well as boosting concentration, focus, improving memory and clearing the mind. It can also relieve feelings of fatigue.
Diffuse 1 - 3 drops of Rosemary essential oil in an oil burner or diffuser.
BATH
Rosemary essential oil can be added to a warm bath to relieve muscle aches, rheumatism, arthritis and cramps.It can also help with liver and gall problems as well as the oil inhalation helping to sooth mucus congestion, headaches, sinusitis and colds. The stimulating effects of Rosemary can also help to re-energise and reduce fatigue.
Add 1 - 3 drops of Rosemary essential oil to a warm bath.
Note: Care should be taken not to use more than 3 drops to prevent the bath from becoming too slippery. Essential oils should be added to a carrier oil before adding as oil and water do not mix and essential oils will float on the surface of the water and if used neat can burn the skin.
INHALATION
Inhaling Rosemary essential oil is effective in helping to relieve symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections such as colds and sinusitis and coughs. Steam inhalation helps to clear congestion in your head, nose and chest.
Simply add 1 - 3 drops of Rosemary essential oil to a bowl of hot water, place a towel or blanket over your head and shoulders to enclose your head over the bowl and inhale or 5 – 10 minutes.
Note: Steam inhalation may be too strong for children, instead place the bowl in the room or close by and allow the steam to infuse in the air.
MASSAGE
Massage is a great way of relaxing the body and mind and easing aching muscles. Rosemary is particularly effective in soothing sprains, stains and sore muscles.
Adults - up to 7 drops in 1 tbsp of carrier oil.
Children over 2 years old - up to 3 drops in 1 tbsp of carrier oil.
CREAM
Adding a few drops of Rosemary to a base cream is a great way of harnessing it’s antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties to treat minor cuts and scrapes. It can also be effective as an anti-fungal cream for conditions such as athletes’ foot. It can also be used to improve circulation.
Add up to 12 drops of essential oil to 30 ml of base cream.
SHAMPOO
Add a few drops of Rosemary essential oil to your normal shampoo to increase the circulation to the scalp which can improve hair growth. It also acts as a general conditioner and tonic for the hair and scalp, helping with issues such as dandruff.
Add 10 – 12 drops of essential oil to your normal shampoo.
SIDE EFFECTS
As with all essential oils it should not be used neat on the skin, essential oils are very concentrated oils that can irritate the skin unless mixed with a carrier oil. Essential oils should not be used internally unless under the supervision of an aromatherapist.
Rosemary should not be used during pregnancy or if epileptic. If used in excess can act as a depressant.
Pets can be particularly sensitive to the effects of essential oils and can even be toxic so where possible should either be avoided or used where a pet is able to go into another room.