Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L., syn. Salvia rosmarinus Mill.) is an aromatic, evergreen shrub of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, native to the Mediterranean region. Its leaves and essential oil are widely used in culinary, cosmetic and traditional medicinal applications. Rosemary preparations are noted for stimulant, antioxidant, carminative and antiseptic properties and are used both internally (as tea/extracts) and externally (essential oil, topical extracts).
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum (Division): Angiosperms
- Class: Eudicots
- Order: Lamiales
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Genus: Rosmarinus (note: modern taxonomy sometimes places rosemary in Salvia)
- Species: Rosmarinus officinalis L. (syn. Salvia rosmarinus Mill.)
Common Names
- English: Rosemary
- Sanskrit: (vernacular names vary)
- Hindi: Rozmarī / Rosemary (रोज़मेरी)
- Tamil: Rosemari / Rosamari
- Telugu: Rozmari / Roosmary
- Bengali: Rosemary (রোজমেরি)
- Marathi: Rozmari / Rosemary
Traditional and Medicinal Uses
- Digestive & Carminative: Used to stimulate digestion, relieve dyspepsia, bloating and flatulence.
- Nervous System & Cognitive Support: Traditionally believed to improve memory and concentration; modern research has investigated effects on cognition and mild CNS stimulation.
- Respiratory Uses: Aromatic preparations and inhalations traditionally used as mild expectorants and for symptomatic relief of respiratory discomfort.
- Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant: Extracts and isolated polyphenols (e.g., carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid) demonstrate notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, used in traditional remedies for pain and inflammatory complaints.
- Antimicrobial & Antiseptic: Used topically and aromatically for minor wounds, as an antiseptic and preservative; essential oil shows antimicrobial activity.
References
- European Pharmacopoeia Commission. European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) — Monograph: Rosmarini folium / Rosmarini aetheroleum. Council of Europe / EDQM. (Refer to current edition for exact test methods and numeric limits.)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API). Part I, Volume II: Single Drugs — (Rosmarinus officinalis entries as applicable). Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH. (Consult the API for traditional Indian monograph details and standards.)
- British Pharmacopoeia Commission. British Pharmacopoeia Monograph: Rosmarinus officinalis (as applicable). (Consult the current BP for official identity, purity and assay methods.)
- European Medicines Agency (EMA) — HMPC. Final European Union herbal monograph on Rosmarinus officinalis L., folium (Revision 1). Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). (Contains assessment report, traditional indications, safety considerations and references to Ph. Eur. standards.)
- Andrade, J. M., et al. (2018). Rosmarinus officinalis L.: an update review of its phytochemistry and biological activity. [Peer-reviewed review; summarizes phytochemistry, pharmacology and traditional uses]. (Use this review for consolidated phytochemical and activity data.)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. (2014). Safety Assessment of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Oil and Related Materials. (Regulatory safety evaluation for cosmetic use and topical exposure.)
- ESCOP / WHO monographs and regional pharmacopeial monographs (consult for complementary monograph detail and traditional indications).
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