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The Top 25 Almost-Magical Uses For Rosemary Essential Oil (#25 Is The Best)
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Rosemary, one of the oldest spices around, has a very distinctive woody fragrance that is intoxicating for many. This plant has been used for untold centuries as both a food flavor enhancer, for health benefits, and as a natural means of enhancing beauty.
The German-Swiss doctor and botanist, Paracelsus, prized herbal medicine and is said to have loved rosemary oil most of all. He believed this plant could strengthen the entire body with its powerful healing compounds.
It does seem as if rosemary can do just about anything from improve mental capabilities to help stop wrinkles.
Rosemary also blends well with other oils such as eucalyptus, lavender, basil, frankincense, peppermint, and bergamot.
Keep reading and find out the almost-magical things that rosemary essential oil can do for you and your family.
1. Relief From Anxiety
Rosemary has been shown in numerous tests to reduce feelings of anxiety. One such study, published in 2009 in the journal Holistic Nursing Practice, found that nurses who used sachets containing both rosemary and lavender oil had lower feelings of anxiety while taking exams than those who did not have the sachets. These nurses had lower rates of anxiety and lower pulse rates. You can keep a small bottle of rosemary essential oil in a purse, backpack, or pocket to easily have access to anxiety relief with just a few sniffs.
2. Improves Memory And Learning
One 2003 study found that smelling rosemary essential oil improved quality of memory while improving performance for health adults. Another study done from 2012 backed up these results. Even Alzheimer’s patients appeared to benefit from the wonderful smell of rosemary. One study found that when Alzheimer’s patients were given a mix of lemon, lavender, orange, and rosemary essential oils, it improved their cognitive function within the 4 week period. You can rub a drop of rosemary essential oil on your temples, sniff it right from the bottle, or add it to a room diffuser.
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3. Stop Headaches
Many people find that rosemary essential oil can help relieve the pain of headaches and migraines. You can apply one drop to your temples and massage it in well for a few minutes, then cup your hands over your mouth and breathe in the pain-relieving scent of rosemary for a few more minutes.
4. Relieves Joint Pain And Muscle Aches
The scientific advisory board in Germany is called the German Commission E. They have recently approved rosemary essential oil for the relief of pain from both arthritis and muscle aches. You can add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to a tablespoon of your favorite carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, and use it as an anti-inflammatory massage oil. If you don’t have sensitive skin, apply it directly to the aching joints and muscles.
5. Instant Relief From Coughs and Colds
The most annoying symptoms of colds are the runny nose, cough, and congestion. You can find relief from most of these symptoms by massaging a few drops of rosemary essential oil on your throat, chest, and under your nose every three or four hours. Rosemary is a natural antiseptic, which makes it the perfect oil for those suffering from respiratory infections. You can also put rosemary oil in a room diffuser.
6. Stop Dandruff In Its Tracks
Rosemary oil also has powerful anti-fungal compounds, which makes it perfect for those who suffer from dandruff. Simply add about eight to 10 drops of rosemary essential oil to every eight ounces of your favorite shampoo, and massage it into the scalp every time you shampoo.
7. Natural Mouth Wash
Most commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol, which dries out the mouth and kills the good bacteria in the mouth, only making problems worse. Rosemary has anti-microbial compounds that will kill the bad bacteria, fight tooth decay and gum disease. Simply mix one cup of distilled water with 20 to 25 drops of rosemary essential oil. If you like the minty flavor of most mouthwashes, you can also add 10 to 15 drops of peppermint or spearmint oil. Shake well before each use.
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8. Reduce The Appearance Of Stretch Marks
Rosemary is one of the best essential oils for reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Mix six drops of rosemary essential oil with two tablespoons of coconut oil, and massage this mixture into the affected areas twice each day until you get the desired results.
9. The Perfect Insecticide
If you care about bees and butterflies, then you should avoid using chemical pesticides. You can make your own completely natural insect repellent by mixing 10 drops of rosemary, thyme, peppermint, and clove oil in about 16 ounces of water in a spray bottle. This will not only stop insects from making your plants their home, but it will also stop fungus from attacking your plants. This mixture is completely safe for flowers and vegetables.
10. All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
Rosemary is one of the best essential oils that you can keep on hand for cleaning just about anything in your kitchen or bathroom. Rosemary essential oil has antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal compounds that make it the perfect cleansing oil. In a large spray bottle, mix half a cup of white vinegar, 12 to 15 drops of rosemary essential oil, and a half cup of water. Shake well before each use, and spray liberally any place you want to clean and disinfect.
11. Stop Wrinkles With This Recipe
For extra power to stop wrinkles dead in their tracks, try this super potent anti-wrinkle serum: Mix equal parts of lemon, frankincense, sandalwood, geranium, lavender, and rosemary oil in a small glass container. Add four drops of this mixture into one tablespoon of your favorite carrier oil such as olive oil, almond oil, or coconut oil. Use topically each night about 20 minutes before bedtime, and in about four to six weeks, be prepared to be amazed at the results.
12. Natural Deodorant
If you want to avoid those aluminum-filled deodorants, rosemary can work wonders. This is a very inexpensive and natural way to stop body odor. This will not stop perspiration, but it is a very effective deodorant. Mix half a dozen drops of rosemary oil with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Saturate a cotton ball with this mixture, and rub on your underarms.
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13. Superior Stress Relief
One 2007 study found that simply sniffing rosemary essential oil lowered levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Excessive levels of cortisol can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart disease and weight gain. Add rosemary essential oil to your room diffuser, or keep a bottle handy in your purse, jacket pocket, backpack, or desk drawer for instant stress relief.
14. Improves Mental Clarity
Feeling indecisive? Overwhelmed? Confused or simply unsure? A little rosemary might be just what you need. Rosemary reduces stress and improves cognitive function, which means that it can help clear your head while relieving stress and anxiety.
15. Improves Circulation
If you tend to have cold hands or feet, get cramps in your feet, or suffer from general poor circulation, then rosemary oil is for you. Simply mix three or four drops of rosemary essential oil with your favorite carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil, and massage this oil mixture into your hands, feet, and other parts of the body.
16. Supports The Immune System
Rosemary oil can give your immune system a real helping hand due to its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-viral compounds. Our lymph system works with the immune system to clear by body of waste and foreign invaders. By massaging your lymph nodes, you can stimulate the lymph system to remove toxins. Add three or four drops of rosemary essential oil to a tablespoon of your favorite carrier oil. Starting at your wrists, massage your arms upwards towards your heart, paying special attention to the lymph nodes under your arms. Now start to massage the center of your chest, rubbing towards the heart. Finally, massage the lymph nodes under your neck with downward strokes toward your heart.
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17. Stops Indigestion
If you suffer from occasional indigestion, stomach cramps, bloating, or excessive gas, you should give rosemary a try. Don’t consume rosemary oil internally, but try it as a massage oil. Mix a few drops with your favorite carrier oil and massage this mixture over your stomach and abdomen. Some people state that they can relieve indigestion by massaging this oil on the bottom of their feet. You might also try adding a half dozen or so drops into your bath for a super relaxing bath that often relieves digestive problems.
18. Natural Bug Repellent
If you are lucky enough to have a rosemary plant in your yard, you already know about the beautiful flowers it produces that attract butterflies and bees, but not mosquitoes. This is because mosquitoes don’t like the scent of rosemary. Rather than spray yourself with toxic DEET, all you really need is some rosemary essential oil. Simply put four ounces of pure water in a spray bottle, and then add about 40 drops of rosemary essential oil. Shake well and spray on your exposed skin to naturally keep mosquitoes and other biting insects away.
19. Stimulate Hair Growth
Rosemary has been used for centuries to grow hair, and scientific studies back this up. One study of more than 80 people who had a condition where hair tends to fall out in large patches, called alopecia areata, discovered that those who used rosemary oil to massage their scalps over the seven-month study period had significant hair growth when compared to those who used simple massage and no essential oils.
20. Eliminate Cellulite
Those fatty little dimples on the skin can be very difficult to get rid of, but using rosemary essential oil regularly can really help. Since rosemary oil stimulates circulation and can flush toxins from the body, it can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Add two drops of rosemary essential oil and two drops of fennel essential oil to two tablespoons of your favorite carrier oil, such as almond oil or coconut oil. Massage this oil into the problem areas once or twice each day.
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21. Helps Clear Up Acne
To help stop acne, sometimes all you need is a little extra antibacterial power. Those over-the-counter antibacterial washes are not good for your skin at all and can leave it irritated. Make your own antibacterial acne blend using four drops of rosemary essential oil, one tablespoon of castor oil, and one tablespoon of another type of carrier oil, such as olive oil. Mix well, massage some of this into your skin for one minute, and then rinse with warm water.
22. Incredible Air Freshener
Most air fresheners contain toxic ingredients that are known to interrupt our hormones, make asthma symptoms worse, and trigger allergies. You can make your own natural reed diffuser to scent your home, use rosemary in a room diffuser, or add some rosemary oil to some water in a spray bottle and spray around your home or car.
23. Keep Insects Out Of Your Home
You can plant some rosemary bushes around your home to convince bugs to go somewhere else. Alternatively, you can put sprigs of rosemary around your doors and windows to stop flies and other bugs from making your home theirs.
READ ALSO: Top 14 Of The Most Popular Essential Oils And Their Benefits (#8 is Insane!)
24. Natural Astringent
Everyone knows that a good astringent will clean and tone the skin, but you don’t want to over-dry the skin. Rosemary oil to the rescue! Put a drop or two on a clean cotton ball and rub it over your just-washed face for a super astringent that won’t strip away your natural oils.
25. Nourishing Hot Oil Hair Mask
Is there anything more relaxing than a hot bath? You can enjoy a relaxing bath and give your hair a restorative boost all at the same time. Mix one tablespoon of rosemary oil, one tablespoon of lavender oil, and two tablespoons of castor oil. Apply this mask to your hair and cover with a shower cap. Allow this to soak in for 20 or 30 minutes, then shampoo as you normally would. Please note that rosemary oil can make your hair darker, which is great for hiding those grey hairs if you have dark-colored hair, but if you have light blonde hair, you might want to reduce the amount of rosemary oil by half.
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