# Rosemary essential oil > An herbaceous, energizing single oil steam-distilled from the same plant used in cooking, with a sharp, invigorating aroma. Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/rosemary Type: Single oil ## At a glance - **Botanical name:** Rosmarinus officinalis - **Plant part:** Leaves - **Extraction:** Steam-distilled - **Aroma:** Sharp, herbaceous - **Origin:** Mediterranean - **Blends with:** Peppermint, lemon, lavender ## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate) Based on 72 GC-MS samples from 29 peer-reviewed papers (2018–2026); Strong evidence base. 126 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range): | Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1,8-cineole | Oxygenated monoterpene | 19.84 | 8.95–34.35 | 49.7 | 27 | | camphor | Oxygenated monoterpene | 14.91 | 10.9–19.53 | 27.63 | 25 | | α-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 11.71 | 6.9–19.5 | 31.8 | 26 | | camphene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 4.8 | 2.73–6.5 | 13.21 | 26 | | borneol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 4.01 | 2.6–4.9 | 15.47 | 17 | | β-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 2.88 | 1.27–4.01 | 20.2 | 23 | | α-terpineol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 1.98 | 1.26–2.9 | 19.32 | 25 | | β-caryophyllene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 2.13 | 1–5.77 | 15.4 | 23 | | limonene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 2.51 | 1.43–4.18 | 11.8 | 14 | | myrcene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.45 | 0.74–2.15 | 13.13 | 22 | | p-cymene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 2.11 | 1.23–2.84 | 6.2 | 15 | | linalool | Oxygenated monoterpene | 1.4 | 0.7–2.31 | 11.95 | 21 | Chemotypes seen in the samples: 1,8-cineole (47% of samples), camphor (26% of samples), α-pinene (7% of samples). ## Key constituents - **1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)** (20-45%) — Gives rosemary its fresh, camphoraceous top note - **Camphor** (5-15%) — Adds a sharp, medicinal edge - **Alpha-pinene** — Contributes a light, piney freshness ## Chemotypes - **ct. 1,8-cineole** — The bright, camphoraceous 'clearing' type most widely sold for focus and everyday diffusing. - **ct. camphor** — Higher in camphor — traditionally used in muscle-massage blends; the type to be most cautious with. - **ct. verbenone** — Softer, gentler, prized in skin- and hair-care formulations. ## How to use it - **In the diffuser:** 3–5 drops alone for a focus-oriented atmosphere, or blend with peppermint and lemon. - **In scalp care:** A frequent scalp-massage oil, diluted 1–2% in a carrier oil. ## Safety - Not recommended for anyone managing a seizure disorder or during pregnancy without professional guidance; dilute to 1–2% in a carrier oil for topical use. - Maximum dermal use: Dilute to ~1–2% in a carrier oil for skin. - Contains camphor: avoid during pregnancy and with epilepsy or a seizure disorder, and don't use on or near infants and young children. - Dilute before topical use — undiluted rosemary can irritate skin. - Keep out of reach of children. ## What the research says - Inhaling rosemary aroma has been studied for cognition and mood, with a study linking 1,8-cineole blood levels to performance on cognitive tasks. Interesting and consistent with tradition, but small-scale and preliminary. — Moss & Oliver (2012), Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology (https://doi.org/10.1177/2045125312436573) ## Evidence - Rosemary oil comes in distinct chemotypes; the common one is dominated by 1,8-cineole, with camphor and α-pinene next. — Al-Tarawneh et al. (2025), Journal of Biomedical and Applied Research (https://doi.org/10.51152/jbarbiomed.v11i1.257) - Rosemary's link to alertness and memory has some experimental support, tied to its 1,8-cineole content. — Moss & Oliver (2012), Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology (https://doi.org/10.1177/2045125312436573) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is rosemary oil safe during pregnancy? It's best avoided during pregnancy. Rosemary contains camphor, which is also why it's cautioned against for people with epilepsy or a seizure disorder and for young children. ### Does rosemary oil help with focus? Small studies suggest inhaling rosemary may support alertness and memory, linked to its 1,8-cineole. It's a pleasant, low-risk thing to diffuse while working — not a proven cognitive treatment. ### Are all rosemary oils the same? No — rosemary comes in chemotypes. The 1,8-cineole type is the bright, clearing one; the camphor type is stronger and needs more caution; the verbenone type is gentler and favored for skin and hair care. ## Sources (GC-MS studies) - Guelifet K, Kherraz K, Messaoudi M, Ferhat MA, Khattabi L, Bendrihem KA, Zahnit W, Addad D, Benmohamed M, Azoudj Y, Harchaoui L, Aggoun K, Boumechhour A, Rastrelli L. Seasonal and Extraction-Dependent Variation in the Composition and Bioactivity of Essential Oils from Wild <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i> L. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12610705 - Ben Arfa A, Gouja H, Hannachi H, Isoda H, Neffati M, Najjaa H. Seasonal changes in rosemary species: A chemotaxonomic assessment of two varieties based on essential oil compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. _PloS one_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9592075 - Kowalski R, Gagoś M, Kowalska G, Pankiewicz U, Sujka M, Mazurek A, Nawrocka A. Effects of Ultrasound Technique on the Composition of Different Essential Oils. _Journal of analytical methods in chemistry_, 2019. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC6512022 - Rathore S, Mukhia S, Kapoor S, Bhatt V, Kumar R, Kumar R. Seasonal variability in essential oil composition and biological activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. accessions in the western Himalaya. _Scientific reports_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8885650 - Solgi M, Bagnazari M, Mohammadi M, Azizi A. Thymbra spicata extract and arbuscular mycorrhizae improved the morphophysiological traits, biochemical properties, and essential oil content and composition of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) under salinity stress. _BMC plant biology_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11834213 - EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto-Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Bastos ML, Benfenati E, Brantom P, Chesson A, Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Manini P. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the flowering aerial parts of <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Spenn. (rosemary oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). _EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12531593 - Soltan MM, Mahfouz S, Motawe FH, Karam EA, El-Hagrassi A. In sight on olive oil maceration and supercritical CO2 in extracting rosemary essential oil. _Scientific reports_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11607071 - Özliman S. Volatile compounds of volatile oils and hydrosols: intra-specific comparison in seven Lamiaceae species. _BMC plant biology_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13274111 - Soto-Vásquez MR, Alvarado-García PAA, Jara-Aguilar DR, Gavidia-Valencia JG, Ruiz-Reyes SG, Rengifo-Penadillos RA. Integrated Chemical, In Silico, and Functional Neurobehavioral Evaluation of Three Essential Oils in Acute Anxiety- and Depression-Related Mouse Models. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13362989 - Ait Elallem K, Ben Bakrim W, Yasri A, Boularbah A. Growth, Biochemical Traits, Antioxidant Enzymes, and Essential Oils of Four Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Cultivated in Phosphate-Mine Residues. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11435175 - Rosa A, Piras A, Porcedda S, Solari P, Pinna I, Masala C. Age-Related Olfactory and Cognitive Decline: Potential Effects of <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i> and <i>Carum carvi</i> Essential Oils. _Nutrients_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12987288 - Teimouri S, Miandoab MP, Jabalameli L, Aramideh S, Haddadi A. Nanoformulation of peppermint (Mentha Piperita L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oils: Antibacterial effects. _International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13083516 - Kačániová M, Zhang G, Popovic S, Bianchi A, Ban Z, Li L, Čmiková N, Elizondo-Luevano JH, Ben Hsouna A, Ben Saad R, Haščík P, Garzoli S. Extension of Sous Vide Preservation of Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo L.) Meat With Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oil: A Study on Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Effectiveness Against Listeria monocytogenes and Other Population of Isolated Microbiota. _Environmental microbiology reports_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13239209 - Vetere ML, Devi P, Lanteri AP, Ponticelli M, Minuto A, Giacomini M, Maggi N, Bisio A, Glasl S. Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of Salvia rosmarinus 'Eretto Liguria' essential oil against tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta). _Scientific reports_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13462709 - Oguz MC. A sustainable approach for smallholder farmers: evaluation of plant by-products and industrial waste in wheat cultivation. _PeerJ_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12315826 - Al-Askar AA, Hamzah KA, Aseel DG, El-Far AH, Abdelhamid MM, Behiry S, Elbeaino T, Abdelkhalek A. Rosemary essential oil: chemical composition, antiviral, cytotoxicity, and in silico molecular docking analysis against tobacco mosaic virus. _Scientific reports_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12618886 - Ribeiro S, Moraes MC, Scoaris DO, Madeira JEGC, Fialho SL, Moreira CPS. Rosemary Essential Oil Microemulsion for Fungal Keratitis Treatment. _Chemistry & biodiversity_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12715995 - Lanave G, Catella C, Catalano A, Lucente MS, Pellegrini F, Fracchiolla G, Diakoudi G, Palmisani J, Trombetta CM, Martella V, Camero M. Assessing the virucidal activity of essential oils against feline calicivirus, a non-enveloped virus used as surrogate of norovirus. _Heliyon_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11070907 - Hendel N, Sarri D, Sarri M, Napoli E, Palumbo Piccionello A, Ruberto G. Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant and Antifungal Activities of Powders, Methanol Extracts, and Essential Oils from Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Thymus ciliatus Desf. Benth. _International journal of molecular sciences_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11276860 - Houzi G, El Abdali Y, Beniaich G, Chebaibi M, Taibi M, Elbouzidi A, Kaioua S, Asehraou A, Addi M, Chaabane K, Flouchi R, Allali A, Khal-Layoun S. Antifungal, Insecticidal, and Repellent Activities of Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oil and Molecular Docking of Its Constituents against Acetylcholinesterase and β-Tubulin. _Scientifica_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11319058 - …and 9 more on the canonical page. _Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._