Rosemary (*Rosmarinus officinalis*) is a woody Mediterranean herb with a long history in the kitchen and in traditional wellness practices. Its leaves and essential oil supply active compounds including rosmarinic acid and camphor, which help sharpen mental clarity and ease digestion.
People reach for rosemary to boost memory and focus, calm everyday stress, or settle the stomach after meals. Applied to the scalp, rosemary oil encourages thicker, healthier-looking hair and clearer skin. The fresh, penetrating aroma also makes it a staple in aromatherapy.
You can find rosemary as dried or fresh leaves for tea, capsules containing leaf powder or extract, and steam-distilled essential oil. Tea and capsules are typically taken with food. Topical and aromatic use follow product directions, and doses shift depending on the form.
Watch for these precautions: Never swallow undiluted rosemary essential oil. Large doses of concentrated extract sometimes cause stomach upset or interact with blood pressure medications, blood thinners, and diabetes drugs. Anyone pregnant should skip medicinal amounts altogether, especially the oil.