Rosemary, Essential Friend for Spring
Fidelity. Loyalty. Remembrance. Rosemary symbolized these things throughout Europe in times past. Nowadays, Rosemary or Rujamari, is an herb with a powerful range of action—a friend in the kitchen enhancing the flavor of roasted root vegetables, soups and chicken dishes; as well as in in the medicine cabinet, where it is an essential best friend to Kapha dosha and sluggish, stagnant, cold and damp conditions. Let’s explore what modern science has shown about its chemical components, how it was used in traditional herbalism and how modern Western herbalism utilizes it. From there, we can build an Ayurvedic understanding of rasa, virya and karma for this wonderful and easily accessible herb.
Rosemary is an evergreen aromatic perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean with shiny, needle-like leaves that are deep green on top and white underneath. The leaves have a sweet, pine-camphor fragrance. It can grow as an upright shrub or low to the ground and has powder blue to violet blue flowers. You’ll see it growing all over in Coastal California gardens where it is tolerant of a wide variety of conditions and where its natural patience and stamina make it drought tolerant, hardy and long lived.
Scientific Studies
Quite a few studies have investigated the chemical makeup of Rosemary and have identified over 140 compounds. Science has demonstrated that rosemary contains compounds that are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-proliferative, anti-tumor, anti-thrombotic, anti-nociceptive, anti-spasmodic, and anti-ulcerogenic. Although modern science usually focusses on one compound and tries to determine its bioactivity, many of the studies indicate that the compounds present in Rosemary were most probably acting in concert thus supporting preparations made from the whole herb.
One review study indicates that the monoterpenes in rosemary promoted cutaneous absorption, i.e. promoted transdermal drug delivery, promoted hair growth in androgenic alopecia, hydrated and improved elasticity of the skin and protected the skin from damage from UV rays. Other studies found that rosemary exhibited vulnerary/wound healing properties in both non-diabetic and diabetic wounds--specifically angiogenesis and improvements in granulation of tissue.
Rosemary is rich in flavonoids which act as ligands for central nervous system receptors, providing a sedative and anxiolytic effect without causing dependence. Many studies mention that rosemary compounds show neuroprotective qualities which improve memory, mood and cognitive deficits. They also show reduced neurological deficits after stroke by significantly reducing inflammatory processes.
In yet other studies, Rosmary was shown to attenuate asthma, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, cataract, renal colic, hepatotoxicity, peptic ulcer, inflammatory diseases, ischemic heart disease and myocardial blood pressure.
Rosemary is a powerful anti-microbial and Rosemary extract used as a mouthwash showed a significant reduction in the oral monobiofilm after 5 minutes exposure; it was also shown to inhibit biofilm formation, blocking microbial colonization.
And finally, in different cancers—breast, epithelial colorectal cancer and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma—it demonstrated the ability to deter tumor development and act as an anti-proliferative agent. In vitro, it enhanced the activity of monoclonal antibody treatment and chemotherapy.
Ayurvedic Lens
We can see that these findings map to Ayurvedic texts. Camphor or Karpura is one of the components in Rosemary. The Bhavaprakash mentions that Karpura is sheeta (cold), madhura and tikta (sweet and bitter), lekhan (scraping), laghu (light), suribhi (fragrant), vrushya (enhancing sexual vigor), chakshuya (good for the eyes), visapaha (dispersive of poison) and alleviating to Kapha and Pitta. It pacifies daha (burning), trshna (thirst), svavairasya (distaste) and medo (excess fat). Vaidya Gogte mentions that in it is a natural deodorant and alleviates bad body odor, improves the delivery of other herbs to the tissues and acts as a vascular decongestant. Rosemary seems to possess some of these gunas (characteristics) and karmas (actions).
Historical Uses
In the Mediterranean before the rise of modern medicine, rosemary was used as an incense and disinfectant. This use continued during the Great Plague in Europe and in French hospitals as recently as the Second World War.
Its anti spasmodic and analgesic qualities were well known, and it was used for muscle spasm, pain from kidney stones and dysmenorrhea and renal colic. Christa Sinadinos, a modern herbalist, mentions that it was used in the past as a hot infusion for headaches, abdominal pain and dyspepsia and to increase appetite. She also notes that it was infused in wine to decrease heart palpitations and to strengthen the heart. Rosemary infused wine was also used to alleviate dropsy (edema). In external applications it was used to stimulate hair growth and prevent premature balding and in poultices for gout, rheumatism and arthritic pain. Eclectic physicians used it for chlorosis (a type of Pandu/Anemia in young women) and in anxiety disorders related to women’s cycles.
Modern Use
These days, modern herbalists utilize rosemary in a myriad of ways. Matthew Wood says that rosemary has a “salutary, cleansing, sharpening quality” and that it is “warming and stimulating to the circulatory system.” Peter Holmes agrees and further states that Rosemary is pungent, and aromatic—useful in circulatory and cardiac deficiency and anemia. He writes that rosemary “dispels wind, cold-and damp” and that it warms the lungs and acts as an expectorant and astringent. Both Sinadinos and Holmes concur that rosemary’s warming, stimulating effect promotes digestive secretions in both the stomach and in the liver/gallbladder and that it helps in dyspepsia and abdominal pain. It also functions as a vasodilator and increases delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the tissues. Its circulatory effect also speeds detoxification by moving waste away from the tissues. It’s aromatic and anti-microbial properties can be used as a mouth wash and breath freshener
Rosemary is an excellent in dysmenorrhea characterized by deficiency with hindered, scanty menses and in amenorrhea. It is used to tonify Qi, restore strength and vitality and relieve depression. Its uplifting and stimulating qualities improve mental clarity and memory and can be used to relieve headaches characterized by stagnation/accumulation or poor circulation. Because it helps to increase oxygenation, it is helpful in dementia and conditions like Alzheimer’s as well as in seizure disorders. It contains many compounds which are anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, so it can mitigate damage caused by inflammation and oxidation. This quality can also promote tissue repair and is used in mouth and gastric ulcers. It is used in oils and washes to improve the complexion and to promote hair growth and improve its quality.
There are really no contraindications for rosemary when it is used as a culinary herb, except to say that it is warming and so should not be used excessively by those who tend toward heat accumulation. When used medicinally, it should not be used in those with hypertension or during pregnancy or those with Pitta vriddhi (increased Pitta). It does not have any recorded toxicity. The FDA has classified Rosemary as GRAS—generally recognized as safe.
In addition to either hot or cold infusions and medicated oils, rosemary is used very nicely fresh in poultices and in essential oils. Using a diffuser with rosemary essential oil, Tratak meditation (focusing the mind by concentrating on an object) can be done to improve concentration, calm the mind and improve memory. Fresh rosemary can be used in steams or the dried leaves in dhumapan/herbal smoke inhalation for congestion. Rosemary infused honey can be used as deepan (stimulates the digestive fire) and Kapha shaman (pacifying). This spring, I used Rosemary, Orange Peel and Tulsi tea for some stubborn congestion, and it worked very nicely! And, let’s not forget that it is super tasty freshly chopped and sprinkled over root vegetables or meats and poultry and then roasted. It’s also a nice addition to soups particularly those featuring winter squash or navy beans.
In general, it seems to be an excellent anupan/adjunct to both certain pharmaceuticals and herbal formulations; it has shown promise in mitigating the side effects and and toxicity of some pharmacueticals.
Ayurvedic Lens
With all this background, we can identify many aspects of rosemary:
It has tikta (bitter), kashaya (astringent) and madhur (sweet) rasa and probably a katu vipak (pungent post digestive effect) with an ushna virya (warm potency).
It has the gandha guna(aromatic). It is deepan (stimulates the digestive fire) and probably possesses the following karmas:
medhya(benefits the mind)
shoolaghna (allieviates pain)
hrdya (benefits the heart)
keshya (benefits the hair)
chaksushya (benefits the eys)
krumighna (acts against bacteria)
It possesses some of the gunas (characteristics) and karmas (actions) of Karpura/Camphor, one of its components.
It is vrana shodhan (wound cleaning) and vrana ropana (wound healing).
It pacifies excess Kapha and is best used in cold, damp, sluggish and stagnant conditions.
Disorders like Pratishaya (Upper Respiratory Diseases like cold), Peenasa (Rhinitis) and Shwasa (difficulty breathing like asthma) can benefit from its use.
It also works well in conditions where Kapha or ama are causing sanga or marga avarodha (blockage in the srotas/channels) and in conditions that are sira granthi (thickening or growths like tumors or polyps).
So this spring, turn to Rosemary to help correct damp, cold, sluggish and stagnant conditions and year round to uphold healthy, balanced Kapha.
By Kathy Gehlken, RDN/A.D.—NAMA Certified/CMP
Kathy Gehlken enjoys helping you to achieve your health goals with collaborative, non-judgmental wellness counseling that draws on her wide range of expertise.
She is a NAMA-Certified Ayurvedic Doctor, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Yoga Teacher, and Massage Practitioner working in San Francisco and Alameda Counties since 2010.
References
Aziz, E., Batool, R., Akhtar, W., Shahzad, T., Malik, A., Shah, M.A., Iqbal, S., Rauf, A., Zengin, G., Bouyahya, A., Rebezov, M., Dutta, N., Khan, M.U., Khayrullin, M., Babaeva, M., Goncharov, A., Shariati, M.A. & Thiruvengadam, M.(2022) Rosemary Species: A Review of Phytochemicals, Bioactivities and Industrial Applications. South African Journal of Botany. 151: 3-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2021.09.026
BhAvamishra (Sitaram, B., commentary). (2015 ed) BhAvaprakAsha. Vol I. Chaukhambha Orientalia
Bin Rubaian, N.F., Alzamami, H.F.A., & Amir, B.A. (2024) An Overview of Commonly Used Natural Alternatives for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia, With Special Emphasis of Rosemary Oil. Clin. Cosmet. Investig. Dermatol. Nov 5:17:2495-2503. DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S470989
De Oliveira, J.R., Camargo, S.E.A., & de Oliveira, L.D., (2019) Rosmarinus officianalis L. (Rosemary) As Therapeutic and Prophylactic Agent. J. Biomed. Sci. Jan 9; 26(1): 5 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0499-8
Faridzadeh, A., Salimi, Y., Ghasemirad, H., Kargar, M., Rashtchian, A., Mahmoudvand, G., Karimi, M.A., Zerangian, N., Jahani, N., Masoudi, A., Dastjerdi, B.S., Salavatizadeh, M., Sadeghsalehi, H., & Deravi, N. (2022) Neuroprotective Potential of Aromatic Herbs: Rosemary, Sage, and Lavendar. Front. Neurosci. Jun 28:16:909833 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.909833
Ghasemzadeh, Rahbardar, M., Hosseinzadeh, H., (2020) Therapeutic Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officianalis L.) and Its Active Constituents On Nervous System Disorders. Iran. J. Basic. Med. Sci.23, 1100-1112. DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2020.45269.10541
Gogte, Vd. V. M. (2009) Ayurvedici Pharmacology and Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants (Dravyagunavignyan). Chaukhambha Publications.
Holmes, Peter (2007) The Energetics of Western Herbs, Vol 1. (4th Ed.) Snow Lotus Press
Malvezzi de Macedo, L., Mendes dos Santos, E., Militao, L., Tundisi, L.L., Ataide, J. A., Souto, E. B., & Mazzola, P. G., (2020) Rosemary (Rosmarinus officianalis L., syn Salvia rosmarinus Spenn) and Its Topical Applications: A Review. Plants. 9, 651. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9050651
Mioc, M., Prodea, A., Racoviceanu, R., Mioc, A., Ghiulai, R., Milan, A., Voicu, M., Mardale, G., & Codruta, S., (2022). Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part II). Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23, 8996. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23168896
Moore, J., Yousef, J., & Tsiani, E., (2016) Anticancer Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officianalis L.) Extract and Rosemary Extract Polyphenols. Nutrients. Nov 17; 8(11), 731. DOI: 10.3390/nu8110731
Nieto, G., Ros, G., & Castillo, J. (2018) Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officianalis, L.: A Review. Medicines.(Basel). Sep 4;5(3): 98 DOI: 10.3390/medicines5030098
Raskovic, A., Milanovic, I., Pavlovic, N., Cebovic, T., Vukmirovic, S., & Mikov, M. (2014) Antioxidant Activity of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officianalis L.) Essential Oil and Its Hepatoprotective Potential. BMC Complement Altern Med. Jul 7:14: 225. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-225
Sinadinos, Christa. (2020) The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine. Christa Sinadinos/Northwest School for Botanical Studies
Wood, Matthew. (1997). The Book of Herbal Wisdom. North Atlantic Books.
