ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus Officinalis)

Spring is just around the corner, so it's time to start moving away from those warm, comforting oils I always associate with winter - ginger, black pepper, marjoram - and start to think about 'spring cleaning' our minds and bodies as the daylight begins to mercifully lengthen!

Rosemary is a wonderfully fresh oil, as its Latin name suggests (rosmarinus officinalis) - 'ros', meaning 'dew' and 'marinus', meaning 'sea' ... sea dew!  Despite its perennial association in our English minds with roast lamb, it's not actually a native of this country, but does have a habit of growing wild near the coast.  Rosemary is an evergreen shrub which produces an oil that is quite piercing, sharp and camphoraceous in odour.  Good for stimulating the brain and aiding concentration, it is no coincidence that this plant has been used for centuries as a symbol of  'remembrance'.  Rosemary oil can be helpful in banishing the 'winter blues' with all the lethargy and mental exhaustion associated with this debilitating condition.  Tisserand says that, combined with "bergamot, basil and peppermint, (Rosemary) makes an invigorating and refreshing bath oil".  Although my own word of caution to that would be to take care how much you use - some of these oils can be a little fierce on more delicate skins.

An excellent stimulant of the circulation, Rosemary can act as a tonic for the heart, actively helping to raise low blood pressure (high blood pressure sufferers should avoid this oil for that reason!).  It has a good antiviral action, so is useful in dealing with those last lingering cases of winter colds and flu, together with effective respiratory qualities - useful for sinusitis, bronchitis and asthma.

I particularly like Rosemary oil for cases of migraines and, staying with the head for a moment, added to rinse water, it can help to make hair shiny and prevent dandruff.  However, perhaps one of the most useful qualities I have found with this oil, certainly in my own clinic, is its effectiveness as a painkiller, particularly in cases of rheumatism, arthritis and tired, stiff or overworked muscles.

One last word of warning - most aromatherapists would agree that Rosemary should not be used during pregnancy or by people suffering from epilepsy or high blood pressure - it's stimulating properties could prove to be just a little too much!!  If in doubt though, always consult a qualified Aromatherapist.

I hope Rosemary keeps you going this month, with its lovely refreshing aroma and promise of Spring.

Every blessing

Marie