Rosemary is a well known herb native to the Mediterranean region, abundantly growing wild in Spain, France, Corsica, Italy, Sardinia, Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, etc.[2] The odor character and constituent profile of Rosemary oil varies according to where the plants grow (altitude and climate), what plant parts are distilled, and whether the plant material is fresh or dried when distilled.[3] Rosemary was sacred to the ancient Greeks and Romans who used it as a symbol of renewal and employed its aromatic qualities in incense.[4] Even Shakespeare alluded to the reverence for the plant when he claimed, in the words of Hamlet’s Ophelia, “There’s Rosemary, that’s for remembrance.”

The designation of chemotypes (ct) of an essential oil is necessary when distinctly different chemical compositions of the same species are produced; due to their different compositions, these oils can be applied to varying purposes. In the aromatherapy market, Rosemary essential oil will appear as one of three main chemotypes – cineole, camphor or verbenone – each of which has different applications. Oils listed simply as “Rosemary” are suspect for highly profitable adulteration. The cineole chemotype of Rosemary is the version we recommend most frequently. The aroma of Rosemary ct Cineole is suitable in enlivening massage and diffuser blends, in a diffuser while studying or at work, and in scalp and hair preparations. The verbenone chemotype is meant for more specialty applications in skincare formulations and chest rubs.