ROSEMARY - ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS Topical
(PDF Version - 98 KB)This monograph is intended to serve as a guide to industry for the preparation of Product Licence Applications (PLAs) and labels for natural health product market authorization. It is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the medicinal ingredient.
Notes
- Text in parentheses is additional optional information which can be included on the label at the applicant’s discretion.
- The solidus (/) indicates that either term and/or statement may be selected on the label.
Date
May 29, 2026
Proper name(s), Common name(s), Source information
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source material(s) | Part(s) | Preparation(s) | ||
| Rosmarinus officinalis | Rosemary | Rosmarinus officinalis | Leaf | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2025; Common name: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: Blumenthal et al. 2000.
Route of administration
Topical (ESCOP 2003)
Dosage form(s)
Acceptable dosage forms when used according to the requirements indicated in this monograph: Liquid; Loose; Solution; Topical liquid.
Use(s) or Purpose(s)
- (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as supportive therapy to help relieve muscle and joint pain associated with rheumatism (Barnes et al. 2007; Bradley 2006; Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Hoffmann 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
- (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help support peripheral circulation (Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
- (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as a mild antiseptic (ESCOP 2003; Williamson et al. 1988).
Notes
- The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a mild antiseptic and to help support peripheral circulation).
-
For multi-ingredient products:
- To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific medicinal ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Rosemary is traditional used in Herbal Medicine as a mild antiseptic).
- When ALL of the medicinal ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
Dose(s)
Subpopulation(s)
Adults 18 years and older
Quantity(ies)
Loose dosage form
Method of preparation: Dry
100% dried leaf, per day (Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
Note: Dried leaves must be prepared as a decoction by the consumer prior to use (see direction for use).
Liquid; Solution; Topical liquid dosage forms
Methods of preparation: Decoction, Decoction concentrate
5 – 100% dried leaf extract preparation in the finished product (Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
Note: The extract ratio must be between 1:1 to 1:20. The formulation must be prepared in a way which is equivalent to a quantity of 50 milligrams crude dried leaves for 1 milliliter of finished product. For example, for a decoction prepared with a 1:10 w/w ratio, the concentration of extract preparation in the final product must be 50% (50 mg crude dried leaves * 10 fold dilution w/w = 500 mg liquid extract in 1 mL finished product = 50% w/v extract preparation in the finished product).
Direction(s) for use
Dried leaf (loose dosage form)
Place dried leaves in 1 liter of cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Let stand covered for 15 to 30 minutes and strain (Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
All products
Add to one full bath once daily, as needed (Wichtl 2004; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
Duration(s) of use
No statement required.
Risk information
Caution(s) and warning(s)
- Ask a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician if symptoms persist or worsen.
- Ask a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding (Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Brinker 2010; Barnes et al. 2007; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
- Ask a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician before use if you have large open wounds, skin lesions, feverish conditions, acute inflammation, severe circulatory disorders or hypertension (ESCOP 2003).
Contraindication(s)
No statement required.
Known adverse reaction(s)
Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs (Barnes et al. 2007; ESCOP 2003).
Non-medicinal ingredients
Must be chosen from the current Natural Health Product Ingredient Database (NHPID) and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Storage conditions
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the Natural Health Products Regulations.
Specifications
- The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) Quality of Natural Health Products Guide.
- The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the NHPID.
EXAMPLE OF PRODUCT FACTS:
Consult the Guidance Document, Labelling of Natural Health Products for more details.
References cited
- Barnes J, Anderson LA, Philipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd edition. London (UK): The Pharmaceutical Press; 2007.
- BHP 1983: British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Cowling (UK): British Herbal Medical Association; 1983.
- Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinkmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Boston (MA): Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.
- Bradley PR, editor. British Herbal Compendium: A Handbook of Scientific Information on Widely Used Plant Drugs, Volume 2. Bournemouth (UK): British Herbal Medicine Association; 2006.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 4th edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2010.
- ESCOP 2003: ESCOP Monographs: The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products, 2nd edition. Exeter (UK): European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy and Thieme; 2003.
- Gardner Z, McGuffin M, editors. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. 2nd edition. Boca Ration (FL): Taylor and Francis Group; 2013.
- Grieve M. A Modern Herbal, Volume 2. New York (NY): Dover Publications; 1971 [Reprint of 1931 Harcourt, Brace & Company publication].
- Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester (VT): Healing Arts Press; 2003.
- Mills S, Bone K. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. St. Louis (MO): Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005.
- Tilgner S. Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth. Creswell (OR): Wise Acre Press; 1999.
- USDA 2025: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) – Global. U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. [Accessed 2026 May 6]. Available from: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch
- Wichtl M, editor. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A Handbook for Practice on a Scientific Basis, 3rd edition. Stuttgart (D): Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers; 2004.
- Williamson EM, Evans FJ, Wren RC. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Saffron Walden (UK): C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 1988.
Version History
| Publication date | Update type | Summary of main updates (from May 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-29 | Minor updates |
|
| 2018-12-18 | Validation (topical only) | – |
| 2008-01-23 | Initial release (oral and topical) | – |