Rosemary Pharmaceutical

Pharmaceutical rosemary: description, properties and application

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is one of the most famous and popular plants of the Lamiaceae family. It is also known by names such as bride's dress, wedding flower, dyke, sea dew, Rose Marie, frankincense. The main parts of the plant used are its leaves. The pharmaceutical name for rosemary leaves is Rosmarini folium (formerly: Folia Rosmarini), and for rosemary oil is Rosmarini aetheroleum (formerly: Oleum Rosmarini).

Rosemary is a powerful, highly branched and pleasantly fragrant shrub that can reach 2 meters in height. The branches are densely covered with linear, leathery, folded leaves, glossy above and tomentose below. The flowers are light blue, relatively small, collected in false whorls at the top of the branches. Frequently visited by bees due to the large amount of nectar. Rosemary blooms between March and May. It is a typical Mediterranean plant and therefore grows on dry slopes. It spread north through the Alps in the first century. Due to its poor winter hardiness, it can rarely be grown in the gardens of our country, but can often be seen in flower pots. In Upper Bavaria, where rosemary is used as a wedding decoration, it is found in almost every peasant house.

Medicinal raw materials are obtained from cultivated plantings. The leaves should be collected before flowering and dried quickly but carefully. When drying, temperatures above +35°C should be avoided in order to preserve the main active ingredient of rosemary - the essential oil.

Rosemary contains essential oil, resins, tannins, flavonoids, bitterness, plant acids and a little saponin. Rosemary has a tonic effect on the circulatory and especially the nervous systems. With colic in the upper abdomen, rheumatism and gout, with weakness due to long-term illnesses, especially with low blood pressure, rosemary has a positive effect. Rosemary wine is usually used, which can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared yourself. Rosemary baths are also popular; their tonic effect is very effective for fatigue and nervous disorders.

Rosemary is also used in cooking. It is added to various dishes, such as meat and fish dishes, salads, soups and sauces. Rosemary has a pleasant aroma and taste that resembles a mixture of lemon and camphor.

In addition, rosemary is used in cosmetology and perfumery. Rosemary essential oil is added to creams, masks and lotions for skin and hair care. It helps strengthen hair, make it easier to comb, reduce hair loss and improve hair growth. Rosemary oil is also used in perfumery, where it serves as one of the components of many fragrances.

Overall, rosemary is a useful plant that can be used in various fields such as medicine, cooking, cosmetology and perfumery. However, before using rosemary for any purpose, you should consult a doctor or specialist.