Scientific Name: Rosmarinus officinalis

Description: Small, erect. flowering woodty shrub, about 1 meter high, with densely arranged branches and leaves. Leaves about 1 to 3 cms long, with strong edges, the lower portion covered with gray hairs. Flowers bluish, clustered on the stem, 1 to 3 cms long.

Traditional Uses:

• Used to ward off evil.
• Cough: Inhale steam of strong decoction of herb.
• Diuretic: Take decoction of herb as needed.
• Gas pains: Take decoction of herb as needed.
• Rheumatism: Make decoction of herb and soak affected area.
• Conjunctivitis: Infusion of leaves used as an eyewash, 4 to 5 times daily.
• Vapor baths, using 30 to 40 gms of leaves in boiling water for rheumatism, catarrh.
• Juice of leaves applied to areas of thinning hair and dandruff; also, as rosemary vinegar.
• Rosemary tea also used as conditioning hair rinse.
• Infusion of leaves as tea for dyspepsia, flatulence.
• Decoction of leaves as mouthwash for gums disease, halitosis, sore throat.
• Aromatic bath: Use decoction of herb.
• Infusion with oil for massages.
• Daily use of rosemary tea believed to prevent cataracts.
• Rosemary tea: Steep 25 g of rosemary in 2 pt of cider vinegar for two weeks, shaking occasionally; strain.
• In hair washing, put 1-2 tsp in the final rinse.
• For dandruff, massage rosemary vinegar thoroughly into scalp, 20 mins before washing.
• Postpartum bath Boil a head of petals in a quart of water.

Excerpts from: "An illustrated compilation of Philippine medicinal plants by Godofredo Stuart"