BT-013 · Lamiaceae

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus

Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safe

In ancient Greece it was the symbol of memory; students are said to have worn it in their hair for exams. Shakespeare uses it this way in Hamlet.

Other names: Romero, biberiye (Turkish); formerly Rosmarinus officinalis
Part used: Leaves, flowering sprigs
Region: Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Andes
Use: Healing, Food, Incense and protection

Photo: Christian Ferrer · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Rosemary?

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a plant of the Lamiaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, Andes. Part used: leaves, flowering sprigs.

What is Rosemary used for?

Traditional use: A hedge and garden plant on the Mediterranean coast. Scientific evidence: traditional. The EMA recognises rosemary for mild digestive complaints and, externally, for muscle and joint pain as traditional uses.

Is Rosemary safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Safe in culinary amounts. High-dose oil is not recommended in epilepsy or pregnancy.

Traditional use

Anatolia

A hedge and garden plant on the Mediterranean coast. Its oil is rubbed in for hair loss and sore muscles; its tea is drunk for digestion.

Andes

In Peru, romero is used in limpia incense and in bath water to drive away bad energy.

In nature

Where it grows: Maquis and garden hedges on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts.
Harvest season: Can be picked all year; the aroma is strongest just before flowering.
Local names: biberiye, kuşdili, akpüren, hasalban

Mix-up risk

Can be confused with lavender leaves. Rosemary leaves are darker green, stiff and needle-like.

Preparation

Brewed as tea; the oil is diluted and rubbed in.

What science says

The EMA recognises rosemary for mild digestive complaints and, externally, for muscle and joint pain as traditional uses. There are small studies on memory; results are inconclusive.

How strong is the evidence?

Claims often repeated online about Rosemary, and what science says today.

Claim	Evidence	Note
Helps mild indigestion	Traditional only	Recognised by the EMA as traditional.
Used externally for muscle and joint pain	Traditional only	Recognised by the EMA as traditional.
Improves memory	Limited evidence	Small studies with its scent and low doses; inconclusive.
Grows hair	Limited evidence	In one small study, rosemary oil matched a hair-loss drug; not confirmed.