Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosmarinus officinalis, “Rosemary” in English and “Romarin” in French, belongs to the Lamiaceae botanical family. It is a woody shrub that can reach a height of 1,50 m.

Native to the Mediterranean region, it grows in rocky and dry places, especially near the sea.

The fragrant needle-like leaves are used as a spice for cuisine and liquors. The drug is employed as a preservative and antioxidant, for example for meat and fat.

It is used medicinally as a carminative and stomachic in digestive upsets, flatulence etc, but also to stimulate the appetite and gastric secretion. As an ointment, it is an analgesic liniment for rheumatism. In folk medicine, it is put on dressings for poorly healing wounds and eczema. It is used as an insecticide.

The main components of its leaves’ essential oil (1 to 2.5%) are 1,8-ciineole, camphor, a-pinene and other monoterpenes; rosmarinic acid, diterpenoid bitter substances, triterpene acids, triterpene alcohols and flavonoids.

• English name Rosemary
• French name Romarin