Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E
Rosemary leaf
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Latin Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Pharmacopeial Name: Rosmarini folium
Other Names: garden rosemary
Overview
Rosemary is a bushy evergreen shrub, native to the Mediterranean basin and Portugal, now cultivated in France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, South Africa, India, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and along the Crimean peninsula in Transcaucasia (Leung and Foster, 1996). The material of commerce comes from Spain, France, Morocco, and Tunisia (BHP, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). The modern approved indications for its use in Chinese, European and Indian medicines, as well as general unofficial use in dietary supplements in the United States, derive from traditional Greek medicine. Rosemary has been used in Europe since ancient times as a tonic, stimulant, and carminative to treat dyspepsia, headaches, and nervous tension (Leung and Foster, 1996). The ancient Greeks also used it to strengthen memory function; scholars wore garlands of rosemary during examinations in order to improve memory and concentration (Bown, 1995; Grieve, 1979). In China, rosemary preparations have been used for centuries for the same purposes as in traditional Greek medicine, especially to treat headaches (Leung and Foster, 1996). In India, rosemary leaf is used as a component in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines for flatulent dyspepsia associated with psychogenic tension and migraine headaches(Karnick, 1994; Nadkarni, 1976). In Germany, rosemary leaf is licensed as a standard medicinal tea for internal and external use. Rosemary is taken internally as a carminative or stomachic component of gastrointestinal medicines in aqueous infusions, alcoholic fluidextracts, tinctures, and medicinal wine. The aqueous infusion and essential oil are also used in external preparations (e.g., bath additive, embrocation, liniment, ointment), for rheumatic diseases, and circulatory problems (Leung and Foster, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). In the United States,rosemary is a component of dietary supplement products, in aqueous infusion, alcoholic fluidextract, and tincture dosage forms. In both the United States and Germany, the leaf is used in balneotherapy and the essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Rosemary leaf was formerly official in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1820 until 1950 (Boyle, 1991). The approved modern therapeutic applications for rosemary leaf are supportable based on its long history of use in well established systems of traditional medicine, in vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies in animals, and on well documented phytochemical investigations. Pharmacopeial grade rosemary leaf must contain not less than 1.2% volatile oil, not more than 10% brown woody stems, and not less than 15% water-soluble extractive, among other quantitative standards. Botanical identification requirements are carried out by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) as well as by examination of macroscopic and microscopic characteristics (BHP, 1996; DAC, 1986; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). The Commission E monograph also requires not less than 1.2% (v/w) volatile oil. The French Pharmacopoeia requires not less than 1.5% (v/m) volatile oil (Bruneton, 1995; Ph.Fr.X., 1990). The ESCOP monograph requires that the material must conform with the French Pharmacopoeia standards (ESCOP, 1997). The German Pharmacopoeia also includes a TLC identity test for the volatile oil fraction (DAB 10, 1991; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).
Description
Rosemary leaf consists of the fresh or dried leaf, gathered while flowering, of Rosmarinus officinalis L. [Fam. Lamiaceae] and its preparations in effective dosage. The preparation contains at least 1.2% (v/w) essential oil in the dried leaves.
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Rosemary leaf contains phenolic acids (23% rosmarinic, chlorogenic, caffeic acids); phenolic diterpenoid bitter substances (up to 4.6% carnosol, rosmaridiphenol, rosmanol); triterpenoid acids (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid); flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, nepetin, nepitrin); 1.22.5% volatile oil, of which 1550% is 1,8-cineole, 1525% a-pinene, 1224% a-terpineol, 1025% camphor, 510% camphene, 16% borneol, 15% bornyl acetate; and tannins (Bruneton, 1995; Budavari, 1996; ESCOP, 1997; Leung and Foster, 1996; Newall et al., 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). The Commission E reported that in humans rosemary irritates the skin. It stimulates increased blood supply when applied externally. Experimentally, it has shown antispasmodic action on gall passages and small intestines, positive inotropic activity, and increased flow through the coronary artery. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported carminative and spasmolytic activity (BHP, 1996). A hydroalcoholic extract of rosemary showed cholagogic/choleretic properties in vivo in cannulated guinea pigs by producing a rapid increase of bile secretion (ESCOP, 1997; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). Antibacterial and spasmolytic actions have been documented (Newall et al., 1996). The Merck Index reported emmenagogic properties (Budavari, 1996).
Uses
The Commission E approved the internal use of rosemary leaf for dyspeptic complaints and external use as supportive therapy for rheumatic diseases and circulatory problems. ESCOP lists its internal use for improvement of hepatic and biliary function and in dyspeptic complaints and its external use as adjuvant therapy in rheumatic conditions, peripheral circulatory disorders, promotion of wound healing, and as a mild antiseptic (ESCOP, 1997). The German Standard License for rosemary leaf tea indicates its use internally for flatulence, feeling of distension, and mild cramp-like gastrointestinal and biliary upsets. Externally it is used in supportive treatment for rheumatism of the muscles and joints (Braun et al., 1997; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). In traditional European medicine, rosemary has been used internally as a tonic, stimulant, and carminative to treat flatulent dyspepsia, stomach pains, headaches, and nervous tension (BHP, 1983; Leung and Foster, 1996; Newall et al., 1996).
Contraindications
None known.
Side Effects
None known.
Use During Pregnancy and Lactation
Not recommended during pregnancy. No restrictions known during lactation (McGuffin et al., 1997).
Interactions with Other Drugs
None known.
Dosage and Administration
Unless otherwise prescribed: 4-6 g of cut leaf for infusions, powder, dry extracts, and other galenical preparations for internal and external use; 10-20 drops of essential oil. [Ed. note: The essential oil dosage appears excessive and possibly unsafe. A more reasonable dosage for internal use would be 2 drops (1 ml).]
Internal: Infusion: 2 g in 150 ml water, three times daily. Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2 ml, three times daily. Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10 ml, three times daily. Dry normalized extract 4.5-5.5:1 (w/w): 0.36-0.44 g, three times daily. Rosemary wine: Macerate 20 g cut leaf in 1 liter wine for 1 to 5 days, stirring occasionally. External: Bath additive: Decoct 50 g of leaf in 1 liter water, let stand covered for 15 to 30 minutes, strain, and add to one full bath. Embrocation or fomentation: Saturate a cloth with hot semi-solid preparation containing 6-10% essential oil; fold and apply firmly for a moist-heat direct application to skin. Ointment: Semi-solid preparation containing 6-10% essential oil in base of petroleum jelly or lanolin spread on linen for local application, applied as a liniment.
References
Bown, D. 1995. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. 343. Boyle, W. 1991. Official Herbs: Botanical Substances in the United States Pharmacopoeias 18201990. East Palestine, OH: Buckeye Naturopathic Press. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP). 1996. Exeter, U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association. 162163. . 1983. Keighley, U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association. Braun, R. et al. 1997. Standardzulassungen f r FertigarzneimittelText and Kommentar. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag. Bruneton, J. 1995. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing. Budavari, S. (ed.). 1996. The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals, 12th ed. Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck & Co, Inc. Deutsches Arzneibuch, 10th ed. (DAB 10). 19911996. (With subsequent supplements through 1996.) Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag. Deutscher Arzneimittel-Codex (DAC). 1986. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag. ESCOP. 1997. 'Rosmarini folium.' Monographs on the Medicinal Uses of Plant Drugs. Exeter, U.K.: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. Grieve, M. 1979. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. Karnick, C.R. 1994. Pharmacopoeial Standards of Herbal Plants, Vol. 2. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications. 112. Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. McGuffin, M., C. Hobbs, R. Upton, A. Goldberg. 1997. American Herbal Product Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press. Nadkarni, K.M. 1976. Indian Materia Medica. Bombay: Popular Prakashan. 1074. Newall, C.A., L.A. Anderson, J.D. Phillipson. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press. Pharmacope Franaise Xe dition (Ph.Fr.X.). 19831990. Moulins-les-Metz: Maisonneuve S.A. Wichtl, M. and N.G. Bisset (eds.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers.
Additional Resources
Braun, H. and D. Frohne. 1987. Heilpflanzenlexikon f r rzte und Apotheker. Stuttgart: Gustav Fischer Verlag. British Pharmaceutical Codex (BPC). 1973. London: The Pharmaceutical Press. Chadha, Y.R. et al. (eds.). 19521988. The Wealth of India (Raw Materials), Vols. 111. New Delhi: Publications and Information Directorate, CSIR. Felter, H.W. and J.U. Lloyd. 1985. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. 12. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications [reprint of 1898 original]. Food Chemicals Codex, 2nd ed.(FCC II).1972. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences. Formack, V. and K.H. Kubeczka. 1982. Essential oils analysis by capillary gas chromatography and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 711. Hnsel, R. 1991. Phytopharmaka, 2nd ed. Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag. 134, 214. Hnsel, R., K. Keller, H. Rimpler, G. Schneider (eds.). 19921994. Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5th ed. Vol. 46. Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag. 367384; 490503. Hartke, K., H. Hartke, E. Mutschler, G. R cker, M. Wichtl (eds.). DAB 10Kommentar. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft. Mongold, J.J. et al. 1991. Activit cholagogue/cholrtique d'un extrait lyophilis de Rosmarinus officinalis L. Plantes Md Phytothr 25:611. Paris, R.R. and H. Moyse. 1971. Matire Medicale, Vol. 3. Paris: Masson et Cie. 277279. Pharmacope Franaise Xe dition (Ph.Fr.X.). 19831990. Moulins-les-Metz: Maisonneuve S.A. Pharmacopoeia Helvetica, 7th ed. Vol. 14.(Ph.Helv.VII). 1987. Bern: Office Central Fdral des Imprims et du Matriel. Reynolds, J.E.F. (ed.). 1993. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed. London: The Pharmaceutical Press. Rulffs, W. 1984. Rosmarinl-Badezusatz. Wirksamkeitsnachweis [Rosemary oil bath additive. Proof of effectiveness]. M nch Med Wschr 126(8):207208. Steinegger, E. and R. Hnsel. 1992. Pharmakognosie, 5th ed. Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag. Taddei, I., D. Giachetti, E. Taddei, P. Mantovani, E. Bianchi. 1988. Spasmolytic activity of peppermint, sage and rosemary essences and their major constituents. Fitoterapia 59:463468. Van Hellemont, J. 1986. Compendium de Phytotherapie. Bruxells, Belgique: Association Pharmaceutique Belge. Weiss, R.F. 1991. Lehrbuch der Phytotherapie. Stuttgart: Hippokrates Verlag. 246247. Wichtl, M. (ed.). 1997. Teedrogen, 4th ed. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft. This material was adapted from The Complete German Commission E MonographsTherapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. M. Blumenthal, W.R. Busse, A. Goldberg, J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins, R.S. Rister (eds.) S. Klein and R.S. Rister (trans.). 1998. Austin: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications.
1) The Overview section is new information. 2) Description, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Uses, Contraindications, Side Effects, Interactions with Other Drugs, and Dosage sections have been drawn from the original work. Additional information has been added in some or all of these sections, as noted with references. 3) The dosage for equivalent preparations (tea infusion, fluidextract, and tincture) have been provided based on the following example: - Unless otherwise prescribed: 2 g per day of [powdered, crushed, cut or whole] [plant part]
- Infusion: 2 g in 150 ml of water
- Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2 ml
- Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10 ml
4) The References and Additional Resources sections are new sections. Additional Resources are not cited in the monograph but are included for research purposes. This monograph, published by the Commission E in 1994, was modified based on new scientific research. It contains more extensive pharmacological and therapeutic information taken directly from the Commission E.
Excerpt from Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs
Copyright 2000 American Botanical Council
Published by Integrative Medicine Communications
Available from the American Botanical Council.
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