When you think of Rosemary, you might remember a warm day in the garden. The aroma of the tender herb, permeated the air as it was gently warmed by the sun. Or, you may think of homemade rosemary bread–freshly buttered and delectably hot. Well, the goodness doesn’t stop there!

As you may have noticed, we offer not one, but three types of Rosemary essential oil. We started offering multiple Rosemary varieties by popular demand. Still, for those who aren’t sure what the difference is between the three, we wanted to highlight one of our favorite oils in this week’s “This or That.”

What’s A Chemotype (ct.)?

Based on the environment and conditions in which it’s grown, some plants may produce varying natural components, thus resulting in oils with different therapeutic benefits and aromas. Plants that commonly produce oils with different components are often identified by their “chemotypes.” A chemotype is the most prevalent component in an oil. At Edens Garden, we offer two Rosemary chemotypes– 1,8-cineole and camphor.

What’s The Difference Between Rosemary Oils?

When choosing a Rosemary essential oil, it's important to consider what you need it for and select the chemotype that best aligns with your intended use. Here are some of Rosemary’s key differences:

• Chemotype: The primary difference lies in the chemotype, which determines the dominant chemical constituents and influences the oil's aroma, therapeutic properties, and uses.
• Origin: The region where the rosemary is grown can affect its chemotype. For example, Rosemary from Spain is high in camphor, while Rosemary from Morocco is high in 1,8-cineole.
• Uses and Benefits: Depending on the chemotype, Rosemary essential oils can be better suited for respiratory support, skin care, pain relief, or cognitive enhancement.

Let’s take a deeper look at the differences between Edens Garden’s Rosemary oils. 

Rosemary Moroccan ct. Cineole Essential Oil

Pronounced sin-ee-ole, this variety of Rosemary contains a significant amount of 1,8-cineole. One of the most beneficial components for aiding respiratory conditions, 1,8- cineole is the primary component in oils like Eucalyptus, Saro, Ravintsara, and Laurel Leaf. This component is what gives these oils their well-recognized, cool, medicinal aroma. It also lends these potent properties to Rosemary Moroccan.

BENEFITS

• 1,8- cineole is anti-inflammatory, mucolytic, and anti-bacterial, making Rosemary Moroccan essential oil worthy of any well-stocked medicine cabinet.[1]

• Not just a component known for supporting the respiratory system, 1,8- cineole in Rosemary essential oil has also been shown to boost memory and focus.[2]
• Famed aromatherapist, Robert Tisserand collected research showing that a 1% dilution of Rosemary essential oil out-performed a 2% dilution of minoxidil of which, Rogaine is a common brand.[3]

Its refreshing, vibrant aroma gives this oil the capability to be energy-boosting as well.

USES

Memory & Focus Diffuser Blend: To 100 ml of water in an Essential Oil Diffuser, add 5 drops Rosemary Moroccan, 4 drops Spike Lavender, 3 drops Peppermint, and 3 drops Sage. Diffuse intermittently for 30-60 minutes. 

Hair Growth Serum: In a 30 ml Amber Glass Bottle, combine 5 drops Rosemary Moroccan, 4 drops Peppermint, 3 drops Lavender, 1 tbsp Jojoba carrier oil, and 1 tbsp Grapeseed carrier oil. Massage onto the scalp and leave on for at least 20 minutes before shampooing and rinsing.

Rosemary Spanish ct. Camphor Essential Oil

Edens Garden’s Rosemary Spanish oil contains a significant amount of camphor and is the most recognized and commonly used variety of Rosemary. Its aroma is true to the traditional rosemary you’d find in the garden and is loved for its warm, herbal, fresh scent. Oils that contain a significant amount of camphor include aptly named Camphor, Sage, and Yarrow. Let’s take a look at the benefits of camphor oils.

BENEFITS

Essential oils high in camphor are great for: 

• Relieving muscle aches
• Increasing circulation
• Supporting breathing
• Soothing respiratory issues

Like 1,8-cineole, camphor has been shown to help open airways and clear congestion.[4] Thus, Rosemary ct. camphor works wonderfully in sports massages because it increases circulation, penetrates muscle aches, and alleviates joint pain. 

USES

Warm Compress for Muscle Aches: Combine 5 drops of Rosemary Spanish with 2 tablespoons of Coconut oil and massage the blend into sore muscles. The camphor content in Rosemary oil helps to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. 

Bath Soak for Circulation: Combine 6 drops of Rosemary oil with 1 oz of Jojoba carrier oil and 4 oz of Epsom salt. Add to a warm bath and soak for 20-30 minutes to improve blood circulation and relax muscles.

Rosemary Around The World Oil Essential Oil

If you’re still having trouble deciding which Rosemary essential oil is right for you, then our Rosemary Around The World oil is for you. This oil is a Mediterranean dream, containing Rosemary essential oil from:

• Corsica
• Italy
• Morocco
• Spain 
• Tunisia

BENEFITS

The benefit of each Around The World oil is that they’re supercharged and ultra-potent versions of your favorite oils, making them more powerful than single oils. If you want to up the ante in blending, opt for an Around The World oil.  

USES

Steam Inhalation for Breathing Support: Add 2-3 drops of Rosemary oil to a bowl of hot water. Lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel, and inhale the steam deeply for 5-10 minutes. This helps clear nasal passages and supports respiratory function.

Chest Rub for Respiratory Issues: Mix 10 drops of Rosemary oil and 2 tablespoons of Argan carrier oil and rub the blend onto your chest and throat area. The 1,8-cineole content in Rosemary oil can help clear mucus and ease breathing.

Don’t just take our word for it. Try Rosemary for yourself, and see why this is one unforgettable oil. 

SOURCES:

1. Juergens, U. “Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Monoterpene 1.8-Cineole: Current Evidence for Co-Medication in Inflammatory Airway Diseases.”PubMed, Dec. 2014, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24831245.
2. Tisserand, Robert. “Rosemary Boosts Brain Power!”Robert Tisserand, 1 Mar. 2011, roberttisserand.com/2012/03/rosemary-boosts-brain-power.
3. Tisserand, Hana. “Rosemary Essential Oil Is a Promising Alternative for Hair Growth Promotion!” Tisserand Institute, 7 July 2020, tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/rosemary-essential-oil-hair-growth-promotion.
4. Hamidpour, Rafie. “Effect of Camphor Discovery for Treating Asthma.” Advances in Bioengineering & Biomedical Science Research, vol. 2, no. 1, 2019, pp. 1–4. Research Gate, www.researchgate.net/publication/330114408.