ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL, PROPERTIES AND USES

The benefits of rosemary essential oil for hair and skin, a recipe for a mask to strengthen hair.

INNA CODRU , OCTOBER 04, 2018

The use of rosemary for medicinal purposes or any religious rituals has been known since ancient times. Scientists have abundant evidence that this use of this plant was widespread in Egypt, Greece and Rome. It has been valued for its many benefits throughout the body, including digestion, circulation, pain relief, and skin and hair health. Modern scientific research has shown that rosemary actually has a wide range( 1 ) of effects on the body, including cancer prevention and treatment, respiratory and intestinal health( 2 ).

The essential oil has good antimicrobial( 3 ) and antioxidant( 4 ) properties. Some studies have shown that rosemary also affects mood( 5 ), memory and concentration. Its ability to combat anxiety symptoms, its antidepressant( 6 ) properties have also been the subject of research, and results have shown that similar effects have been noted in both humans and mice. Even small amounts of dried rosemary improved memory and concentration in older adults in one placebo-controlled study ( 7 ).

ROSEMARY: USE THE PLANT OR ITS ESSENTIAL OIL?

Essential oils are similar to herbal medicines, only they are more concentrated. They come in cute little bottles that are easy to store and fun to collect. These fragrances please our sense of smell and they work faster when used correctly. All of this makes it easy to see why essential oils are so popular.

But remember, essential oils are just one of many beneficial compounds produced by plants. Oils are not found in nature in concentrated form, and traditional herbal therapies around the world mainly use the whole plant, minimally processed in the form of tinctures, decoctions, or dried. Many of these methods extract the essential oils from the plant, but only along with other highly beneficial compounds.

Of course, if you have rosemary essential oil, then it is better to use it. Otherwise, you can use the whole plant, it is also very useful. What's more, rosemary is easy to grow - and there's nothing more inspiring or enjoyable than making medicines with herbs you've grown yourself!

ROSEMARY IN SKIN CARE

The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of rosemary make it especially effective in skin care. The whole plant extract is, in principle, indicated not only to reduce the inflammation associated with acne( 8 ) but also to fight the bacteria( 9 ) that cause these acne flares. Some studies have shown that in addition to the benefits of using rosemary topically for acne-prone skin, taking rosemary internally provides skin with some UV protection as well (10) (however, it cannot replace the use of sunscreen !).

If you have acne-prone facial skin, a simple toner made from witch hazel, rose water, and rosemary can help soothe this inflammation and clear up blemishes.

DIY WITCH HAZEL rosemary toner

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup fresh rosemary leaves


• 50-60ml Witch Hazel hydrosol (non-alcohol)


• 50ml rose water

Mode of application:

• Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Once the mixture begins to boil, turn off the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Let cool down to room temperature.


• Strain the finished infusion and store in a clean glass jar. Use within 2 months.


• To use: Apply to clean skin twice daily with a cotton pad or spray bottle.

ROSEMARY OIL FOR HAIR AND SCALP

Both ancient herbalists and healers and modern scientific evidence agree that rosemary is a valuable herb for people who want healthy, shiny hair and a healthy scalp. A comparative study in the same 2015 found that rosemary essential oil was as effective( 11 ) as minoxidil (brand name of Rogaine) in stopping androgen-induced hair loss, the most common cause of long-term hair loss in healthy adult men and women. .

To try and get the same benefit from using rosemary essential oil that you would get from minoxidil, experts recommend repeating the concentration used in the 2015 studies by making a 2% solution of rosemary essential oil based on jojoba oil or aloe vera gel. Apply this mixture to your scalp every night and stick to this regimen for at least six months, which is how long it took the study participants to see positive results. Of course, talk to your doctor before trying anything other than their prescribed treatments. This is the case when using only the essential oil, and not the whole plant, gives its result.

On the other hand, not everyone agrees that rosemary oil is good for hair loss. Practicing dermatologist Cybele Fishman, MD, says that while she has not found it particularly effective in treating hair loss, "it's an impressive antifungal drug."

ACCELERATE HAIR GROWTH WITH ROSEMARY

Ingredients:

• 12 drops rosemary essential oil


• 30 ml jojoba oil or aloe vera gel

Mode of application:

• Mix rosemary essential oil and jojoba or aloe vera oil in a small jar or bottle.


• Shake until the contents of the bottle are well mixed.


• To use: Rub 1-2 teaspoons of this mixture into the scalp in the evening.


• Leave the mixture overnight (approximately 8 hours) and shampoo your hair in the morning.


• If you are using aloe vera gel, store the mixture in the refrigerator and use within 1 week.

If you are not in need of intensive treatment for male or female pattern baldness and are just looking for a time-honored way to refresh your hair and scalp, then our next recipe (rosemary + apple cider vinegar) will be of great help to you. If your hair is oily or prone to oil accumulation, then you can use this remedy twice a week. If your hair is very dry, you can only use it once a month. Experiment with it to find the frequency of use that works best for you.

Rosemary and apple cider vinegar for healthy hair

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar (preferably natural)


• 1/2 cup fresh rosemary leaves, unpacked


• 1/4 cup dried rosemary leaves


• 2 glasses of water

Mode of application:

• Mix apple cider vinegar and fresh rosemary in a glass jar and let steep for 2-3 weeks until the rosemary leaves lose their bright green color and the vinegar takes on an extra, herbal flavor.


• Once you determine that the vinegar has done its job, then remove the rosemary leaves and prepare a decoction of dried rosemary to add to the vinegar.


• For the decoction: In a small saucepan, add two cups of water and a quarter cup of dried rosemary leaves, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the broth is reduced by half. Remove from heat and let mixture cool before adding to vinegar.


• Add strained rosemary decoction to a jar of infused vinegar. Label the jar with the date of manufacture and the ingredients used. The solution is stored at room temperature, away from bright light for up to 1 year, but it is best to use it within the first 3 months for best results.


• When you are ready to apply this procedure, pour 50 ml of the solution into a plastic container that is safe to use in the shower or bath. Before you wash your hair with shampoo, generously apply the product to the scalp and hair roots. Gently but thoroughly massage it into your hair and scalp, then rinse your hair with shampoo and your regular conditioner.

SOURCES and MATERIALS used in the article:

1. “Expression of microRNA-15b and the glycosyltransferase GCNT3 correlates with antitumor efficacy of Rosemary diterpenes in colon and pancreatic cancer“.  Unit of Molecular Oncology and Nutritional Genomics of Cancer, Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies on Food (IMDEA-Food), Campus of International Excellence UAM+CSIC, Madrid, Spain. 2014 Jun.
2. “Influence of acrylamide on the gastric mucosa of adult albino rats and the possible protective role of rosemary“.  Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt, 2015 Jun.
3. “Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of rosemary and sage (Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae) essential oils“.  Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, University of Novi Sad. 2007 Oct.
4. “Antioxidant activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil and its hepatoprotective potential“.  Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad. 2014 Jul.
5. “Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults“.  Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Division of Psychology, Northumberland Building, University of Northumbria. 2003 Jan.
6. “Rosemary tea consumption results to anxiolytic- and anti-depressant-like behavior of adult male mice and inhibits all cerebral area and liver cholinesterase activity;  phytochemical investigation and in silico studies". Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina. 2015 Jul.
7. “Short-term study on the effects of rosemary on cognitive function in an elderly population“.  Herbal Medicine Department, Tai Sophia Institute, Laurel, Maryland 20723, USA. Jan. 2012
8. “Rosmarinus officinalis extract suppresses Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammatory responses“.  Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. 2013 Apr.
9. “Investigation of antibacterial activity of rosemary essential oil against Propionibacterium acnes with atomic force microscopy“.  Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, 2007 Oct.
10. “Protective effects of citrus and rosemary extracts on UV-induced damage in skin cell model and human volunteers“.  Radiology and Physical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, 2014 Jul.
11. “Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial“.  International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 2015 Jan.