Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration (THMR).

Culpeper 1653: “... strengthen the brain exceedingly, resist madness, clear the sight.” Notes (HFO): This is an extra reason for adding it to the joint of lamb, for the Sunday roast..
Culpeper, Nicholas. (1653). The London Dispensatory.

Dried leaves Medicinal uses Uses supported by clinical data None. Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents Orally as a carminative and spasmolytic to treat dyspepsia (9). Externally for supportive therapy of rheumatism and circulatory disorders (13). Uses described in traditional medicine Orally as a cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue and as a tonic (3, 6, 7). Also used in the management of headache, menstrual disorders, nervous menstrual complaints, tiredness and defective memory. Used externally for treatment of spraining and bruising (15). Contraindications Folium Rosmarini [dried leaves] is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity or allergy to the plant material.
From WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants Vol 4 2005, WHO Geneva

Medicinal uses of Essential Oil steam distilled from aerial parts of plant Uses supported by clinical data None. Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents Used orally for the treatment of dyspeptic complaints, and in external applications for supportive management of rheumatic complaints and circulatory disorders (12, 13). Although one pilot study has indicated that thecrude drug may enhance cognition (13), further data from randomized controlled clinical trials are required before any therapeutic recommendations can be made. Uses described in traditional medicine Used as a cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestant, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative and a tonic (3, 5, 6). Also used in the management of headache, menstrual disorders, nervous menstrual complaints, tiredness, defective memory, sprains and bruises (14).
From WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants Vol 4 2005, WHO Geneva

Contraindications Aetheroleum Rosmarini [Ed note: Essential Oil steam distilled from aerial parts of plant] is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity or allergy to the plant material. It should not be used in patients suffering from bronchial asthma or bronchitis or on damaged skin, such as in cases of burns, lesions or skin rashes.
From WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants Vol 4 2005, WHO Geneva

Nomenclature

According to Kew botanists this is now considered to be Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., Handb. Angew. November 2019.
Plants of the World online, Kew Science http://plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:457138-1 link

Other use

Rosmarinus officinalis L. Lamiaceae Rosemary. Woody perennial. Distribution: Mediterranean. Quincy (1718) commended the flowers for epilepsy, apoplexy, palsies, uterine obstruction, jaundice, gout, and syringed into the ear with warm water for dislodging wax. It is licensed for use in Traditional Herbal Medicines in the UK (UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)).
Oakeley, Dr. Henry F. (2013). Wellcome Library notes. link

Geographical distribution

  • Africa, Macaronesia, Canary Is.
  • Africa, Macaronesia, Madeira
  • Africa, Northern Africa, Algeria
  • Africa, Northern Africa, Libya
  • Africa, Northern Africa, Morocco
  • Africa, Northern Africa, Tunisia
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Cyprus
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Greece
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, France
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Portugal
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain

Rosmarinus officinalis L.

Family: LAMIACEAE
Genus: Rosmarinus
Species: officinalis L.
Common names: Rosemary
Pharmacopoeia Londinensis name: Rosmarini/ Anthos
Distribution summary: N. Africa, Eurasia
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Woodland, garigue, maquis, scrub, and rocky hillsides from sea level to 1300m
Garden status: Not currently grown
Flowering months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Reason for growing: Medicinal, other use, traditional herbal registration


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