Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil and It’s Etymology

Rosemary is one of our favorite ingredients here at Old Factory. There are many benefits to its use, both for its medicinal qualities as well culinary use. Not only is it a pleasant, earthy herb to add to your food, but is also good for other things, like aromatherapy and an aid for many ailments.

Rosemary, Rosmarinus Officinalis, is extracted from the leaves as an essential oil. It’s related to the mint family, like Basil and Sage. It was used ceremonially at weddings during ancient times, and even put on grave sites as a token of remembrance. Paracelsus valued Rosemary oil because of its ability to strengthen the entire body.

What are the benefits of rosemary essential oil?

One of the major benefits of Rosemary when ingested, is as a digestion aid, helping you absorb nutrients better, and can be used to treat indigestion. Rosemary is very good for your internal organs, such as detoxifying your liver. It can also help improve circulation and regulate your heart rate and blood pressure.

When used in aromatherapy, it can be a good and natural way to stimulate increased brain activity and function, while at the same time helping you relax and destress. People who suffer from respiratory illnesses can burn it in a room; it is said to have helped many with breathing issues.

When Rosemary is made into an essential oil, it can be very powerful for your skin and hair. It can be applied to the scalp, for those trying to prevent balding, or even to treat dandruff. Another good benefit of the oil, is when used as a mouthwash, it removes odor causing bacteria, preventing cavities as well. If you suffer from headaches, muscle aches, or any other kind of pain, you can apply it topically to the affected area to relieve the pain. Rosemary is great for the face and skin; treating acne, dry skin, psoriasis, and eczema.

An Etymological look at Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis)?

I often wondered why it was called rosemary. It seemed an odd name given that the look and scent resembled a rose in no way. But a little research found the answer. The term “rosemary” is an 14th century English corruption of the earlier name “Rosmarine”. Sounds like a deep purple color to me. Rosmarine, in turn, came from the Latin Rosmarinus and is a combination of ros “dew” and marinus “marine”. Some say it got this name due to its high essential oil content and because it was often found by the sea.

Dew from the sea; sea dew.

That purer brine
And wholesome dew called rosmarine.

– B. Jonson.

It’s also interesting to note that the Latin term officinalis is used to denote a plant of value in medicine or herbalism. Though a Medieval Latin epithet, science has proved many of the ancients to be correct, especially when it comes to Rosemary.