Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) is a perennial aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean region, historically revered in Greco-Roman, Egyptian, and medieval European cultures for medicinal, culinary, and ritual purposes.

Classical texts, including those of Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder, describe rosemary’s use for memory, respiratory health, and digestion, while medieval herbals associated it with improved concentration and symbolic protection.

Modern phytochemical studies identify key constituents—such as 1,8-cineole, camphor, carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, and α-pinene—that demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties.

Rosemary essential oil, obtained by steam distillation of fresh flowering tops, concentrates these compounds and has been evaluated for its effects on cognition, mood, and hair and scalp parameters, with preliminary findings indicating potential benefits across these areas.

*Responsible use is advised due to the oil’s potency and potential for skin irritation, neurotoxicity at high doses, and contraindications during pregnancy or epilepsy.