Rosemary alcohol is a traditional remedy that you can make from home.
Scientific interest in traditional herbalist has increasedover the years.
Many of the compounds that are prescribed today from the consultations are plant extracts, so reviewing traditional knowledge in terms of herbal remedies makes sense from a practical point of view, since it is possible to find new therapeutic avenues among these ancient remedies.
Rosmarinus officinalis is a plant that is able to grow wild in various parts of the planet. It most likely appeared near present-day Iran, but spread rapidly throughout the Mediterranean.
Since ancient times,rosemaryhas been used as a natural remedy for a large number of ills, practices that are currently being reviewed in a scientific wayto rescue those most beneficial to health.
What is rosemary alcohol?
Rosemary, in addition to being commonly used as an ingredient in Mediterranean food, has been used by various cultures to treatailments such as renal colic or dysmenorrhea, those pains experienced by some women in relation to menstruation.
It has also been used torelieve symptoms of respiratory diseasessuch as asthma or even to alleviate the processes of premature baldness. Today it is also used, for example in aromatherapy circles, to help calm anxiety and improve mental state.
These medicinal characteristics of rosemary can be explained due to the high amount of bioactive compounds that this plant contains. Among them are different acids, phenols and essential oils such asrosmarinic acid, a compound with strong antioxidant properties, which is currently under study for its possiblebenefits in the fight against cancerand other diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation.
Rosemary alcohol is a remedy that is obtained through the extraction of different potentially beneficial compounds from the plant, by maceration into alcohol. The result is an alcoholic solution that is mainly used topically, to treat different skin, circulatory and inflammatory problems.
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The benefits of this natural remedy
Rosemary has been proven effective in different laboratory studies to treat and / or relieve a huge number of disorders and diseases, such as asthma, arteriosclerosis, digestive ulcers, hyperglycemia, anxietyor even some depressive disorders. To this is added its antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity, which is already used in the European Union to preserve food as an additive (code E392).
It is important to separate the potential benefits of rosemary as such from those that we can get from the topical use of rosemary alcohol, since many of these effectshave not yet been demonstrated in humans in a forceful way, in addition to requiring other forms of application so that they can occur (such as ingestible doses of different rosemary extracts).
Even so, rosemary alcohol has proven to be useful to treat certain disorders and discomforts in a simple and safe way for the majority of the population. Below we review some of them.
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1. Treat alopecia
One of the most amazing benefits of rosemary alcohol is its ability to curb the effects of alopecia and hair loss in general. A gentle massage with rosemary oil onthe scalp is able to promote follicular activity, preventing hair loss while promoting hair growth.
2. Relieve cellulite
The effects of rosemary on circulation are very beneficial for a number of discomforts and diseases. Some of the compounds found in rosemary alcohol promotebetter blood and lymphatic flow, which prevents and relieves diseases caused by poor circulation.
Although the mechanism of cellulite is not yet well characterized, most experts agree that it is partly due to poor blood and lymphatic circulation in the affected areas. Rubs and massages with rosemary alcohol can relieve to reduce cellulite and prevent its reappearance.
3. Relieve rheumatic pains
Rheumatic pains are those that affect the joints and connective tissue. Diseases such as gout or some types of arthritis cause this type of pain, which can be very debilitating and annoying for those who suffer from it.
The effects of rosemary on joint pain have been proven at the animal level, but it requires studies at the human level to ensure that they are also effective in us. Traditionally, massages and rubs with rosemary alcohol on the painful areas are effective in reducing the pain they cause.
4. Facilitate muscle relaxation
As it is a topical remedy, the application of rosemary alcohol is very similar to treat different disorders, simply with massages and/or rubs on the skin. In addition to helping us with joint pain, it also serves to relieve muscle and skeletal pain.
The rosemary alcohol used during a massage improves muscle relaxation, releasing accumulated tensions in the different musclesand increasing the effectiveness of the massage.
5. Decrease anxiety
The effects of rosemary and its extracts on the central nervous system are not yet studied in depth in humans, but there are small studies that indicate a decrease in anxiety and depressive behaviors in those exposed to the volatile compounds found in rosemary alcohol.
An aromatherapy session in which rosemary is usedseems to have utility to reduce anxiety, while improving the perception of reality (also known as Mindfulness) of people who undergo these practices.
6. Relieve colds and flus
Like eucalyptus, whose volatile compounds help improve breathing and decrease airway congestion, rosemary alcohol appears to be effective in relieving symptoms of colds and flus, particularly thoseof congestion and respiratory distress.
To benefit from this effect of rosemary alcohol, we simply have to apply it on the chest, in the same way as other medicines such as “Vaporub“.
7. Antiparasitic as veterinary use
At the veterinary level, rosemary alcohol is also used topically as an antiparasitic, to eliminate parasites while relieving itching and skin discomfort that they cause. Interestingly, it is also used at the veterinary level to prevent the fall of the coatand promote its growth.
Contraindications of rosemary alcohol
Finally, we must warn that rosemary alcohol is a safe remedy for the majority of the population, but there are certain groups that should refrain from using it, especially if they have not made a consultation with their trusted doctor about the possible risks of using this traditional medicine.
One of these groups is that of pregnant women. Rosemary has certain toxic qualities for embryos (traditionally it has also been used as an abortifacient), so its consumption during pregnancy or lactation is highly discouraged and should be avoided.
Other people who might notice negative effects of rosemary alcohol would be those who take lithium, such asthose under treatment for bipolar disorder. Rosemary appears to interact with lithium, increasing its toxicity.
Its improvement of circulation can be a problem for people with low blood pressure orclotting problems, so in these cases its use is not recommended without the authorization of a health professional.
References
- Andrade, J. M., Faustino, C., Garcia, C., Ladeiras, D., Reis, C. P., & Rijo, P. (2018). Rosmarinus officinalis L.: an update review of its phytochemistry and biological activity. Future science OA, 4(4), FSO283. doi:10.4155/fsoa-2017-0124.
- de Oliveira, J. R., Camargo, S., & de Oliveira, L. D. (2019). Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) as therapeutic and prophylactic agent. Journal of biomedical science, 26(1), 5. doi:10.1186/s12929-019-0499-8.
- Ulbricht, C., Abrams, T. R., Brigham, A., Ceurvels, J., Clubb, J., Curtiss, W., … Windsor, R. C. (2010). An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 7(4), 351–413. doi:10.3109/19390211.2010.525049.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.