Herbs have been known to mankind from the earliest times. Rosemary has many uses – we can find it in the kitchen as an aromatic spice, as an ornamental plant, but also as an ingredient in many cosmetics. Today we will discover its unique properties and reveal how it is used in cosmetics.

ROSEMARY – THE FLOWER OF THE SEA

Rosmarinum Officinalis, or Rosemary, known as the Flower of the Sea, is a plant belonging to the Lyme family. Extremely aromatic and evergreen, it has characteristic long and very narrow leaves set on long and straight stems. These stems become hard and woody in the late growing season. On store shelves you can find dried rosemary, which certainly does not resemble a 2-meter-long plant with pale blue flowers. And this plant can reach such sizes. Wild rosemary can be found on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and in the south of Crimea. As for the cultivation of rosemary in Poland – this plant is grown only in greenhouses.

This plant is mentioned in the writings of St. Hildegard of Bingen, where she wrote that it makes people look younger and more beautiful. This plant owes its unique properties to its biologically active compounds. Its composition includes primarily rosemary oil (which contains camphor, cineole, borneol), but also flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, phenolic acids and rosmarinic acid.

 

ROSEMARY OIL

The oil is pressed from the glandular hairs that are on the underside of the leaves and flowers. It can also be found on stems in small amounts. It is worth noting that young plants contain about 1.5% of the oil, while dried plants contain 1-2.5%.

This oil is obtained using several methods:

steam distillation,
distillation with superheated steam,
hydro-distillation,
supercritical carbon dioxide extraction.

It is a colorless, sometimes slightly yellow and brownish liquid. Its fragrance resembles camphor, with a strong herbal and woody note.

USE OF ROSEMARY IN COSMETICS
PERFUME

The cosmetics industry eagerly reaches for products straight from nature. Rosemary is used in the perfume industry, where rosemary oil is used. However, it undergoes detachment, i.e. mono and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons are removed by column chromatography. The oil obtained in this way is added to the production of creams, bath and aftershave lotions, lotions, shampoos and soaps.

HAIR CARE

This plant is also used in hair care. Especially recommended for dry hair with a tendency to split ends. It gives them shine, and when applied to the scalp, it stimulates hair growth. However, we must point out that it can darken hair, so blondes should keep this in mind if they are not planning to change the shade of their hair. Rosemary rubs are also recommended for seborrhea or dandruff.

SKIN CARE

Products containing rosemary are most often used by people with acne and oily skin. Rosemary hydrolates that regulate the secretion of sebum are highly recommended. They show an astringent effect. In cosmetics, it is used in an anti-cellulite treatment that firms the skin and moisturizes.

OTHER USES OF ROSEMARY

Rosmarinum Officinalis is known for its taste qualities, it is widely used as a spice in the preparation of meat dishes, but also vegetables, e.g. sweet potatoes. You can also find skewers, the ingredients of which are stuffed on rosemary twigs, which further enriches the aroma and taste of the stuffed morsels.

It is also used in natural medicine in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system. It aids digestion, soothes stomach pains, and also has a stimulating effect in the treatment of intestinal diseases.