Rosemary Essential Oil Benefits & Uses for Skin, Hair & Aromatherapy

Overview Of Rosemary Oil

A potent herb that’s just bursting with benefits, rosemary can do wonders for your skin and hair. Whether you’re looking to beat breakouts or combat hair loss, read on to discover how you can use rosemary oil in everyday beauty rituals.

What Is Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary is packed with soothing and nourishing ingredients for all your hair care and skincare needs. Pure rosemary essential oil supports healthy hair growth and has often been used in everything from hair shampoos to candles, thanks to its woodsy and herbaceous scent.

Brief Information

This oil is a concentrated liquid extracted from rosemary leaves and is traditionally made through distilling the plant Rosmarinus Officinalis.(1) However, it can also be extracted through mechanical methods such as cold-pressing. This helps the oil capture the “essence” of the plant’s scent as well as its healing and soothing properties for which it is prized.

Often grown in Mediterranean regions, rosemary is traditionally used in cooking. But scientific research led to its use in the beauty industry as a healing ingredient for anti-aging and anti-acne products. Rosemary and its oil were considered to be prized possessions in ancient civilizations.

For the Greeks and Romans rosemary was a matter of approbation. It also finds use in Western wedding ceremonies. The German Swiss scientist who discovered its properties believed that the oil could heal delicate body parts.

This oil is easy to prepare at home and blends well with many essential oils. The oil can be used by topical application and through aromatherapy. It can be applied on the scalp to promote hair growth; applied on the skin to soothe skin irritation; and boost blood supply in the body.

Name	Rosemary Essential Oil
Botanical Name	Rosmarinus officinalis L.
Native to	Mediterranean region
Properties	Astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, relaxant, antidepressant, analgesic, vulnerary, cicatrizant,
Main ingredients	Alpha-pinene, camphene, borneol, eucalyptol, camphor, beta-pinene, terpineol, caryophyll
Aroma	Herbaceous and citrusy
Blends well with	Peppermint, basil, ginger, frankincense, orange, cedarwood, tangerine, mandarin, lime, lemongrass and geranium essential oils
Category	Herbaceous
Substitute	Sage or basil essential oils

16 Rosemary Essential Oil Benefits

Rosemary makes for a nourishing addition to self-care routines because it’s such a nourishing oil. Its benefits go beyond skin-deep as well!
Let’s look at the benefits of rosemary oil and the effects of rosemary oil on health.

It's good for your skin.

Rosemary is packed with antioxidants that protect your skin, preventing signs of aging so you can flaunt a youthful complexion at any age. It is also rich in active ingredients that keep sensitive skin calm and breakout-free. It can also treat several skin conditions.

It supports hair growth.

Rosemary essential oil has potent nutrients to support healthy hair growth, leaving you with luscious hair. It also keeps scalps comfortable, reducing dandruff to soothe itching and flakiness. A blend of Rosemary and tea tree oil with coconut oil is applied on the scalp to encourage hair growth. The oil can be rubbed along the entire length of the hair to repair split ends.

It brings calm and clarity

Rosemary can also help you find your zen! Often used in aromatherapy, rosemary creates a calming ambiance for work or studying. It also brings mental clarity, clears the mind and supports your memory. Inhaling the aroma of the oil lowers high blood pressure and heartbeats, which calms the mind and body.

Better Functioning Brain

In ancient times, rosemary was used to improve memory. Now, research has proven that inhaling the scent of rosemary prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical present in the brain that affects the way we think, our concentration and memory. The randomized human trial was done on students who were asked to inhale the aroma before entering the exam hall. The students who inhaled the aroma performed better than those who did not.

Hair Growth Stimulating Oil

Male pattern baldness is a common hair loss type. If it has to be explained in layman’s terms, a byproduct of testosterone attacks the hair follicles causing the hair to fall off. Rosemary oil works by inhibiting this byproduct. A research done on people with alopecia areata showed that 44% of the total participants who used rosemary oil mixed with jojoba oil showed improved hair growth, and 15% who used only jojoba oil had some hair growth.

Instant relief from Pain

Rosemary oil is a quick and organic way to get relief from pain. This too, was shown with a study. Stroke survivors with shoulder pain were administered acupuncture and acupuncture with rosemary oil massage. The latter technique was more successful in curbing pain.

Goodbye, Pesky Pests

Using organic plant oils to drive away pests and bugs from the house is always a better alternative to chemical sprays. It was found in a study that rosemary oil was more effective in driving away mosquitoes than 11 other essential oils.

Eliminate Stress Before It Is Too Late

Stress has become a daily part of most of our lives and if untreated it may lead to long term health issues including depression and anxiety disorders. Inhaling the aroma of rosemary has shown to have a positive impact in lowering the pulse rates, ergo reducing stress. Inhaling its aroma also lowered the stress causing hormone cortisol from the saliva.

Good Blood Circulation is Always Good

The common trouble caused because of low blood circulation in the body is the cold hands and feet. But it may result in diseases including Raynaud's disease, diabetes and varicose veins. Exercise and good lifestyle habits are important, but pampering yourself with a good rosemary oil massage now and then increases the circulation level in the whole body. This oil can be used locally as well.

Next Level Confidence

Well, rosemary oil won’t take you to god mode in confidence, but it will definitely help you get through in daily life. Inhaling the aroma or applying it topically can both boost the confidence levels.

Soothe joint Pain

Tissue inflammation of the joints can cause swelling, pain and tenderness. A study found that massaging the joints for 15 minutes three times a week reduced the issues caused by joint pain. The joint pain can be the result of any accident or because of autoimmune diseases; rosemary offers relief in both cases.

Better Digestion

When the oil is massaged on the body or near the abdominal region, it releases bile from the liver and gastric acids in the stomach. These are important factors in boosting digestion and avoiding stomach and intestine related problems.

Treat Minor cases of Food Poisoning

After eating certain foods if you feel slight nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; inhale the aroma of rosemary or apply it on the lower abdomen to get relief.

Ease of Use

Rosemary is an essential oil that can be added to a diffuser for its aroma to spread. One drop of this oil can be mixed with one tablespoon and applied topically. So, it is very easy to use and apply.

Supplementary Treatment

Rosemary and other essential oils are potent enough to treat and cure minor infections, diseases and disorders. However, these oils support other medical treatments to the hilt. However, read the precautions section below and understand the drawbacks of using essential oils in conjunction with other treatment types before starting this supplementary treatment.

May Prove Useful Against Cancer

There are several active ingredients in the oil with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research is ongoing to find if these are useful in cancer treatment and prevention.

19 Uses of Rosemary Oil

Let’s dive in a little deeper into what you can use rosemary for and how you can enjoy each of its potent benefits.

Rosemary Essential Oil For Skin

1. Powerfully Anti-Aging

We might never know the secret to everlasting youth, but rosemary comes pretty close! This oil is rich in antioxidants that can slow down the signs of aging and restore smooth skin.

DIY Recipe: Try it out yourself!

Research has also shown that rosemary oil delays free radical damage, keeping skin protected from environmental factors that age your skin.(1)

Simply add 2–3 drops of rosemary oil to your favourite skincare product to renew perfect, youthful skin.
Drops of the rosemary oil in a face wash or face cream and for face steaming would produce the desired results in a few weeks.

2. Keeps Acne Under Control

Go from spotty to spotless with this cleansing oil. Rosemary oil is a potent anti-acne treatment as it contains rosmarinic acid which can soothe various skin conditions including acne, dermatitis, eczema and even psoriasis.

Regular Skin Regime: Add 3–4 drops of rosemary oil to your favourite skincare products to enjoy its acne-clearing properties.

The presence and effectiveness of its compounds have been ratified in several animal studies.

Rosemary Essential Oil For Hair

a girl with beautiful hair is lying on the floor

3. Stimulates Hair Growth

Hair loss can be a troubling thing! Nothing feels more worrying than losing patches of your hair or seeing bald spots emerge as your age catches up.

If you’re searching for a natural remedy for hair loss, rosemary oil is packed with powerful ingredients that volumize hair, leaving you with long, flowing tresses that capture attention.

Based on research, it stimulates blood circulation for the scalp which promotes hair growth.(2) Essential oils nourish the hair follicles and negate thinning hair. Rosemary for hair growth can eliminate scalp itching and prevent or delay alopecia areata.

4. Cleanses Hair And Scalp

On top of leaving you with longer, fuller hair, rosemary is also praised as a potent hair cleanser. It’s full of antibacterial qualities which are able to cleanse hair gently yet effectively.

Because of its cleansing qualities, rosemary is also great at relieving irritated, dry and flaky scalps. It is able to clear away bacteria and dead skin cells for a healthier scalp, setting a foundation for softer, shinier locks.

The cleansing nature of the oil is also useful for removing the chemicals from color treated hair. The hair breakage due to excess use of hair products can be negated with rosemary oil for hair.

Applying rosemary oil in your hair every day can treat color-treated hair from damage. Hair care products such as shampoo with rosemary oil are quite common. Studies found that rosemary oil and minoxidil were more effective when used together.

Rosemary oil products help with hair growth, treat hair loss or reduce hair fall and gives health overall healthy hair.

Other Uses of Rosemary Oil

5. Repels insects

Moths, bugs, flies and mosquitoes can be repelled or driven away from homes by spraying the natural oil of rosemary and it is safe to use.

6. Pain reliever

Rosemary oil is comfort oil that mitigates pain better than placebo treatments. It is also effective in dealing with age related joint pains.

7. Better brain function

Inhaling the aroma of rosemary has shown better cognition and concentration in participants of a clinical trial. Rosemary oil is safe and rosemary has been used since ages for improving focus.

8. Motivation

The fragrance of rosemary is known to liven up the ambience. Inhaling the aroma of the oil motivates a person and bestows self-confidence and self-esteem. Study results showed that rosemary leaf extract oil can help clear exams and interviews. So the efficacy of rosemary oil is indubitable.

9. Stress relieving aroma

This is especially helpful for those residing in the urban regions. Students, working professionals or people in a house getting ready for some occasion – stress levels are at an all time high. Diffusing the fragrance of rosemary lowers cortisol levels in people and induces calm.

10. Better blood circulation

Rosemary is the oil of choice in winter season because it helps expand the blood vessels in the body and lets the blood flow freely. Rosemary oil for hair growth also benefits from this property. A few drops of rosemary essential oil help hair grow and controls androgenetic alopecia.

Using rosemary essential oil for hair loss improve hair health. 5 drops of rosemary is safe for use with hair oil and help your hair regrowth.

11. Lowers joint pain

Topical application of rosemary oil reduces tissue inflammation that lowers swelling, tenderness and stiffness. A clinical trial involving people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were asked to apply rosemary oil on the knees for three weeks. All the participants reported 50% lower inflammation after the time period.

12. Antimicrobial agent

This concentrated oil is an effective antimicrobial agent. It can be used to eliminate or fight against the harmful microbes / germs in the body.

13. Cancer Treatment

The compounds in rosemary are being researched to find out its efficacy in controlling or treating certain cancers. However, there is no research, till now, that suggests rosemary’s role in cancer treatment.

14. Increased Memory

Inhaling the aroma of rosemary stimulates the limbic system and enhances the memory. It is also inhaled for better retention.

15. Relives food poisoning

Rosemary oil directly relaxes the stomach muscles because of its stomachic properties. The discomfort caused by food poisoning can be mitigated with rosemary oil.

16. Fights bacteria effectively

Research has shown that rosemary oil works against several strains of bacteria including E.coli. It is also effective against certain drug resistant bacteria.

17. Liver health

Studies on animals have shown that rosemary stimulates the liver into releasing bile, which is essential for the digestion of fats.

18. Anti-inflammatory properties

Rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties that are useful against inflammatory diseases including auto-immune disease and allergies. There are several ways to use rosemary oil for lowering inflammation – both topical application and inhalations works.

19. As a room freshener

Rosemary has a pungent aroma but it is used as an air freshener, Along with rosemary other oils including lavender oil, eucalyptus oil and sandalwood oil are blended for storing as air freshener.

How To Use Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil can be added to skincare products, hair conditioners and more. However, you should only add a few drops of these oils to products to ensure they’re safe for your skin. You can also fill your home with its calming scent by adding rosemary oil into diffusers.

Uses & Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary Essential Oil In An Aroma Diffuser

Rosemary oil exudes an herbaceous aroma: it’s a familiar scent that you’ll find in delectable soups, casseroles and stews.

Diffusing 3–4 drops of rosemary oil around your home will set an inviting ambiance that guests will absolutely love.
The aroma also has a calming effect on the mind, as it reduces cortisol (AKA the stress hormone).

For Stress: Diffusing rosemary oil around your workspace will transform it into a stress-free haven and get you through tough, stressful moments for better productivity.

For meditation and yoga sessions, rosemary can balance the energy in the room and ward off negative energy that might disrupt your practice. It also restores a calm mind for better focus and mindfulness.

Rosemary Essential Oil For Healthy Hair

Rosemary oil might just be the secret to full, luscious locks. Research has shown that rosemary contains carnosic acid, an active ingredient that heals damaged scalps and stimulates hair growth to get back those gorgeous tresses.(3). Its anti-inflammatory properties also keep scalps soothed, preventing the feeling of itchiness from dandruff.

Other research reveals that rosemary also prevents hair loss almost as effectively as other commercial hair products. It’s best to mix rosemary oil in shampoo with other essential oils that stimulate hair growth (like cedarwood oil or peppermint oil) for that extra oomph.

Ingredients:

Rosemary oil
Cedarwood oil

DIY Recipe: Try it out yourself!

Simply add 2–3 drops of rosemary oil and 2 drops of cedarwood oil into your favourite shampoo,
And lather up for volumized hair.
You can also opt to dilute 2–3 drops of rosemary oil with 2 tablespoons of a hair-nourishing carrier oil such as argan oil and jojoba oil.
This makes for a great pre-shower hair mask that gives you naturally strong and nourished hair in no time.

Aloe vera is a common ingredient applied on the hair. It is usually allowed to stay on the hair for an hour before being washed off. While washing it off with a shampoo, a few drops of rosemary and rinse the hair and scalp thoroughly to get its hair benefits and aroma. The oil of rosemary is suitable for different hair types including dry hair and oily hair.

Rosemary Essential Oil For Mental Clarity

Cramming for an exam?

Research has shown that rosemary is an effective memory-booster.(4). Its potent fragrance supports information retention and enhances long-term memory, which could be useful for remembering all those lengthy notes!

Rosemary oil’s effectiveness is due to its ingredients that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a special chemical that the brain uses to store long-term memories.

And on top of this, inhaling the scent of rosemary oil also grants you a boost of mental clarity, giving you a clear headspace to focus on what’s in front of you or to just start the morning fresh. Try diffusing 3–5 drops of rosemary oil around your bedroom or workspace to truly seize the day.

Rosemary is used in aromatherapy by blending it with lavender oil and/or other essential oils. The intoxicating aroma of the oil blends stimulates the mind and brings about focus, concentration and mental clarity.

Precautions When Using Rosemary Oil

Essential oils are great for self-care routines. However, we should also take care and follow caution when using them to keep ourselves and loved ones safe from its side effects. Generally essential oils are safe, but a few guidelines must be followed to avoid any side effects.

Also, the oils are different, made up of different compounds. Some people may be allergic to certain compounds while others may be allergic to others. Concentrated oil must be bought after careful deliberation. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

Read the label and instructions to make sure you’re using the oil correctly.
While buying essential oils be wary of the terms fragrance oil, perfume oil and natural identical oil.
The term pure essential oil can be widely seen on the bottles. These maybe made from substandard sources.
Ensure that you are not allergic to any ingredients or compounds in the oil.
Make sure to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil for safe application.
Do not add too much of the oil in the diffuser.
Avoid using essential oils of sensitive areas like the eyes and nose.
Don’t apply it on broken skin either unless it’s mentioned on the bottle or label.
Keep it out of reach of kids and fur kids.
Do not diffuse the oil near kids and pets. Consult a doctor before doing so.
Some oils may make you sensitive to sun damage, so be sure to load up on SPF.
Check the label to see if the oil is photo-toxic.
Always do a small patch test before topical application.
The common unwanted effects caused by essential oils up on topical application are rashes, redness and swelling.
If you show signs of irritation, stop use and consult a health professional.

Recommended Rosemary Essential Oil Products

Our Gya Labs Rosemary Essential Oil products use rosemary that is 100% pure and natural, so you can enjoy its potent healing powers in full.

WE RECOMMEND

Rosemary Essential Oil

Organic Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary Hydrosol

Frequently Asked Questions

How to use rosemary oil for acne?

Mix two drops of rosemary oil, two drops of tea tree oil, two drops of lemon or lemon oil with one and a half tablespoons of almond or olive oil and apply it on the acne spots. Leave it there for an hour before washing it off.

What is rosemary oil good for?

Rosemary oil has numerous therapeutic properties. It can combat gastrointestinal diseases, relieve anxiety and stress, stimulate hair growth, treat respiratory ailments, lower pain, heal the skin, eliminate bad breath and boost memory.

How to make rosemary oil for skin?

A simple way to extract rosemary oil – Collect fresh rosemary and clean it. Take a glass jar that can be sealed perfectly. Fill the jar with rosemary and olive oil. Place the jar under sunlight for a month. Open the jar and filter the oil. Mix a drop of the oil with face cream and apply on the face.

What are the benefits of rosemary oil for hair?

The two main benefits of rosemary oil for the hair are prevention of premature graying and dandruff. It can also soothe dry scalp.

How to use rosemary oil in hair?

Add three drops of rosemary oil to two tablespoons of hair oil and massage it on the hair root. It can be applied on the entire length of the hair as well.

How to use rosemary oil for skin?

Depending on the area you need to apply the oil, take rosemary oil drops and mix it with any vegetable oil found at home. The general essential oil makes up for 3% of the blend.

Where can i buy rosemary oil?

You can buy rosemary essential oil at Gya Labs. While buying essential oils you should verify the authenticity of the product. At Gya labs you can check the English and Latin names of the product, verify the source of the product and learn about the essential oil most suited for your needs.

What does rosemary oil do for your hair?

Rosemary oil, when applied on the scalp, revitalizes the hair follicles and stimulates hair growth, soothes the scalp and reduces irritation, eliminates dandruff, and hydrates the scalp.

What is rosemary oil used for?

Rosemary oil is used for relaxing the mind and treating stress and anxiety, for treating respiratory ailments, soothing irritated skin, relieving fatigue, and for maintaining skin and hair health.

What is rosemary oil?

Rosemary oil is obtained from the rosemary plant, botanically called Salvia rosmarinus. The dried leaves, flowers and stems of the plant are steam distilled to extract the oil.

How to dilute rosemary oil for hair?

Take three drops of rosemary and dilute it with one and a half tablespoons of carrier oil for applying on the scalp.

How to apply rosemary oil on face?

Dilute the concentrated rosemary oil with carrier oil, face cream, ointment or lotion and apply on the face or locally on pimples.

Can you sleep with rosemary oil in your hair?

One can leave rosemary oil on the scalp overnight. Doing so enhances hair growth. However, if anyone has allergies including headaches or colds after leaving oil in the hair overnight must avoid this.

Can you use rosemary essential oil on your hair?

Yes, rosemary oil can be applied on the hair after dilution.

How often to use rosemary oil for hair growth?

It is recommended to apply rosemary oil twice a week for four weeks to get positive results.

Rosemary Essential Oil Uses for Skin, Hair and Aromatherapy