What is rosemary essential oil for?
Rosemary essential oil has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and more properties.
Edited and resized image of Anshu A, is available on Unsplash
Rosemary essential oil is extracted from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), a plant originating from the Mediterranean region, in Europe, well known and used since ancient times. The herb has always been known for some benefits, such as positive effects on memory, calming function, tasty spice, in addition to having a pleasant aroma.
Currently, rosemary is widely used as a condiment for food, but the properties of this plant can be applied for other purposes. It serves as a preservative and even has therapeutic use, which occurs through the rosemary essential oil
- Rosemary: benefits and what it is for
rosemary essential oil
Rosemary essential oil is extracted through a process called steam distillation. In the distillation, the water vapor passes between the dried rosemary leaves, dragging the oil present inside the plant's glands to the condenser, thus extracting the essential oil and the hydrolate (learn more about this subject "What are hydrolates"?). The diagram below simplifies the process of steam drag distillation of rosemary essential oil:
- Packed with benefits, rosemary is an effective natural preservative
what is it for
Edited and resized image by Paul Hanaoka is available on Unsplash
The benefits of rosemary essential oil are due to its properties:
- Antioxidant;
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Antimycotics;
- Antimicrobial;
- Healing;
- Analgesic/Refreshing;
- Anti dandruff;
- Mental stimulant.
It is thanks to these properties, especially with regard to its high antioxidant power, that rosemary essential oil serves several applications, generally with good results. Check out:
skin care
The properties of rosemary essential oil contribute to beneficial effects on the skin, making it can be used as a stimulant of peripheral circulation or in treatment for oily or acne-prone skin. Not to mention that it also cleans, relaxes and refreshes the skin. It can also be used as a muscle relaxant.
Hair
Rosemary essential oil can be used to treat oily hair and also has anti-dandruff functions and serves as a hair tonic. When used in shampoos and conditioners, it usually adds shine to the hair.
Body
Due to its antimicrobial action, rosemary essential oil can even be used as a deodorant, since the action of the deodorant is to combat the bad smell of cecê, eliminating the microorganisms that cause odors. (Learn more about body odor in the article "You: technically axillary bromhidrosis")
The oil can be added to soap and bath salts - in addition to providing aroma, it helps to eliminate bacteria and even mycoses. Remembering that, to apply an essential oil, it is important to dilute it, usually in water, so that it is not too concentrated and can cause any problem such as allergic reactions.
Some cares
As with everything in nature, rosemary essential oil can have some negative effects for certain people, especially if the use is constant and exaggerated:
Allergic reaction
Some people can get skin irritations when they come in contact with rosemary and its derivatives.
abortive effect
Research done with rosemary extract in rats showed the embryotoxic effect, causing abortion.
Diuretic effect
Other researches claim that the consumption of rosemary can cause a diuretic effect, thus increasing the risk of dehydration and altering the concentration of lithium in the body, which can reach toxic levels.
Rosemary essential oil and herb derivatives have excellent benefits and applications, however, like everything else (whether synthetic or natural), there are limits and concentrations that make them harmful. It's up to us to be aware of this and consume in a moderate way.
Where to find?
You can find rosemary essential oil and other oils at eCycle store.
Do you want to know a little more about the properties of rosemary, its derivatives and curiosities? Also take a look at the article "Rosemary: benefits and what it is for".
