Updated 29 January 2024
Botanical characteristics
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Lamiales
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Genus: Rosmarinus
- Part used: Flowering tops, leafy branches
- Country of origin: Southern France, Mediterranean regions
Precautions for use
Caution! Rosemary camphor essential oil is reserved for adults and adolescents.
Its camphor content, a neurotoxic and abortifacient compound, is contraindicated in pregnant women, babies, children and epileptics.
Nor can it be used by asthmatics.
The cutaneous route is preferable, in diluted form, and ingestion is reserved for therapeutic use.
Other precautions
Warning:
- Oral use of rosemary camphor essential oil is reserved for therapeutic use.
Cutaneous use:
- Rosemary camphor essential oil is irritating to the skin, so it should be diluted 20% in vegetable oil before use (20% essential oil in 80% vegetable oil).
Contraindications:
- Rosemary camphor essential oil is contraindicated in hormone-dependent cancers and high blood pressure.
- This essential oil is an abortifacient, so it is prohibited for pregnant women.
- It is contraindicated in people with asthma.
- Overdosage and prolonged use should be avoided.
Allergenic components:
Rosemary camphor essential oil contains two biochemical allergenic components:
- limonene (≤7%)
- linalool (≤ 2%)
Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).
Authorised users
How to use
Risks of use
Properties
- Neuromuscular action
- Relaxant and muscle relaxant (at higher non-toxic doses)
- Mucolytic
- Non-hormonal emenagogue
- General tonic, cardiotonic (low dose), hypotensive (low dose)
- Venous decongestant
- Liver regulator
- Lipolytic (hypercholesterolaemia, excess fat)
- Choleretic and cholagogue
Indications
- Torticollis
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatism
- Muscle contractures, cramps
- Aching muscles
- Tendonitis
- Dyspepsia
- Difficult digestion
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Heart weakness
- Hepatitis
- Ear infection
- Hypertension
- Hepato-biliary problems
- Gallstones
- Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Cholesterol
- Digestive fatigue
- Varicose veins
Directions for use/usual dosage
- Prevention or treatment of sports injuries: topical applications diluted in a vegetable oil in synergy with other EOs (lemon eucalyptus, wintergreen, etc.).
- Cellulite or circulatory problems: local applications diluted in a vegetable oil in synergy with other EOs (Atlas Cedar, Grapefruit, Italian Helichrysum, etc.).
- High blood pressure: apply 1 drop of rosemary-camphor essential oil to the hollow of the elbow, 2 to 3 times a day.
- To improve memory and concentration and restore energy and vitality: diffuse with other milder EOs.