MartiScrub Blog Spotlight: ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL

SPOTLIGHT: ROSEMARY

Jan, 11 , 21
Martina Steege

Did you know that there are three main chemotypes for Rosemary essential oil?

Rosmarinus officinalis ct. 1,8 cineole" (Tunesia).
High in oxides. Mucolytic, airborne antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, increases cerebral blood flow, decreases chronic inflammation and antispasmodic.
Rosmarinus officinalis ct. camphor (Spain).
High in ketones. Mucolytic, muscle aches and pains, help reduce coughing.
Rosmarinus verbenone (France).
High in ketones and significant monoterpenes (a-pinene). Thought to be a good mucolytic, antifungal and antimicrobial.

Some plants have the genetic ability to produce different chemical constituents based on the environment they grow in. "Chemotype" means a different chemical type. A chemotype is a plant (same genus, same species) that, when growing in different environments, produces different essential oils. The one example is Rosemary. Depending on the country of origin and the growing conditions, Rosemary can produce very different essential oils. The oils vary so dramatically it can even change chemical families. This is important, as you would use different chemotypes of Rosemary for different medicinal purposes, and each chemotype has different safety concerns, as well.

Rosemary is a native to the Mediterranean region, but grows abundantly wild in Spain, France, Italy and Tunesia where the majority of the essential oil is produced. Its oil is steam-distilled from leaves/flowers/twigs of the plant. Its oil is a pale yellow with a strong, woody-herbaceous top note.

The "1,8 cineole" and the "camphor" chemotypes are extremely helpful with respiratory conditions. The "camphor" type also has analgesic and antispasmodic properties, which means it is well suited for use in massage oils for increase in blood circulation and reduction of muscle pain. The "verbenone" type of Rosemary contains less camphor and is considered the most gentle and non-irritant of the rosemaries, which is why it is included in so many skin/hair care blends.

I use Rosemary in a variety of my aromatherapy products. Check them out here in my shop!

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