Rosemary

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Note: The archived version of this monograph has been temporarily removed. For an electronic copy of this archived version, please contact the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) at NHPD_DPSN@hc-sc.gc.ca.

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Date: January 23, 2008

Proper name(s): Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) (USDA 2008)

Common name(s): Rosemary (McGuffin et al. 2000)

Source material(s): Leaf (Blumenthal et al. 2000)

Route(s) of administration: Oral or topical (ESCOP 2003)

Dosage form(s): Those suited to the allowable routes of administration. This monograph is not intended to include food-like dosage forms such as bars, chewing gums or beverages.

Use(s) or Purpose(s): Statement(s) to the effect of:

Oral:

• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve flatulent dyspepsia (carminative) (Barnes et al. 2007; Bradley 2006; Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003; Hoffmann 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help ease (gastric) headaches (Barnes et al. 2007; Bradley 2006; Mills and Bone 2005; Hoffmann 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Tilgner 1999; Grieve 1971 [1931]).

Topical:

• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as supportive therapy to help relieve muscle and joint pain associated with rheumatism (Barnes et al. 2007; Bradley 2006; Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Hoffmann 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help support peripheral circulation (Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al.2000).
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a mild antiseptic (ESCOP 2003; Williamson et al. 1988).

Dose(s):

Oral: Preparations equivalent to 0.6-12 g dried aerial parts, per day (Barnes et al. 2007; Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003; Hoffmann 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000; BHP 1983)

Topical: Preparations equivalent to 50 g dried leaf, per day (Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).

Directions for use: Add to one full bath (Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).

See Appendix 1 for examples of appropriate dosage preparations, frequencies of use and directions for use, according to cited references. The purpose of Appendix 1 is to provide guidance to industry.

Duration of use: No statement required.

Risk information: Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and warning(s):

All uses: Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen.

Topical:

• Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have large open wounds or skin lesions, feverish conditions, acute inflammation, severe circulatory disorders or hypertension (ESCOP 2003).
• Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant (Barnes et al. 2007; Brinker 2001; Blumenthal et al. 2000; McGuffin et al. 1997) or breastfeeding (Barnes et al. 2007).

Contraindication(s):

Oral: Do not use if you are pregnant (Barnes et al. 2007; Brinker 2001; Blumenthal et al. 2000; McGuffin et al. 1997) or breastfeeding (Barnes et al. 2007).

Known adverse reaction(s):

Topical: Hypersensitivity is known to occur, in which case, discontinue use (Barnes et al. 2007; ESCOP 2003).

Non-medicinal ingredients: Must be chosen from the current NHPD List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients and must meet the limitations outlined in the list.

Specifications: Must comply with the minimum specifications outlined in the current NHPD Compendium of Monographs.

References cited:

Barnes J, Anderson LA, Philipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3^rd edition. London (UK): The Pharmaceutical Press; 2007.

BHP 1983: British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Cowling (UK): British Herbal Medical Association; 1983.

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinkmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Boston (MA): Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

Bradley PR, editor. British Herbal Compendium: A Handbook of Scientific Information on Widely Used Plant Drugs, Volume 2. Bournemouth (UK): British Herbal Medicine Association; 2006.

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3^rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2001.

ESCOP 2003: ESCOP Monographs: The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products, 2^nd edition. Exeter (UK): European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy and Thieme; 2003.

Grieve M. A Modern Herbal, Volume 2. New York (NY): Dover Publications; 1971 [Reprint of 1931 Harcourt, Brace & Company publication].

Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester (VT): Healing Arts Press; 2003.

McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, editors. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 1997.

McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. Herbs of Commerce, 2^nd edition. Silver Spring (MD): American Herbal Products Association; 2000.

Mills S, Bone K. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. St. Louis (MO): Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005.

Tilgner S. Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth. Creswell (OR): Wise Acre Press; 1999.

USDA 2008: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Rosmarinus officinalis L. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2008-01-17]. Available at: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl

Wichtl M, editor. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A Handbook for Practice on a Scientific Basis, 3^rd edition. Stuttgart (D): Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers; 2004.

Williamson EM, Evans FJ, Wren RC. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Saffron Walden (UK): C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 1988.

Appendix 1: Examples of appropriate dosage preparations, frequencies of use and directions for use

Oral

Dried leaf:

• 4-6 g, per day (Barnes et al. 2007)
• 6-12 g, per day (Mills and Bone 2005)
• 4-6 g, per day (Blumenthal et al. 2000)
• 2-4 g, 3 times per day (BHP 1983)

Infusion:

• 6-12 g dried leaf, per day (Mills and Bone 2005)
• 2-4 g dried leaf, per day (ESCOP 2003)
• 2 g dried leaf, 3 times per day (Blumenthal et al. 2000)
• 2-4 g dried leaf, 3 times per day (BHP 1983)

Directions for use: Pour 150 ml of boiling water on dried leaf and infuse (Blumenthal et al. 2000).

Fluidextract:

• 6-12 g dried equivalent, per day
  (1:1, 6-12 ml) (Mills and Bone 2005)
• 1.5-3 g dried equivalent, per day
  (1:1, 45% ethanol, 1.5-3 ml) (ESCOP 2003)
• 2 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
  (1:1, 2 ml) (Blumenthal et al. 2000)
• 2-4 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
  (1:1, 45% alcohol, 2-4 ml) (BHP 1983)

Tincture:

• 0.6-1.7 g dried equivalent, per day
  (1:5, 70% ethanol, 3-8.5 ml) (ESCOP 2003)
• 0.2-0.4 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
  (1:5, 40% ethanol, 1-2 ml) (Hoffmann 2003)
• 2 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
  (1:5, 10 ml) (Blumenthal et al. 2000)

Topical

Decoction:

• 50 g dried leaf, per use (Wichtl 2004)
• 50 g dried leaf, two times per week (ESCOP 2003)
• 50 g dried leaf, per day (Blumenthal et al. 2000)

Directions for use: Place dried leaf in 1 litre of cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Let stand covered for 15 to 30 minutes. Strain and add to one full bath (Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).