Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract

Rosmarinus officinalis is the botanical name for rosemary, a perennial herb common in the Mediterranean and many other parts of the world belonging to the Lamiaceae family. 

Decomposition of the name and function of the components

• Rosmarinus - The genus of plants to which rosemary belongs.
• officinalis - Adjective indicating a plant with traditional medicinal properties.
• Leaf Extract - Specifies that the extract is obtained from the leaves of the plant.

Description and function of the raw materials used in production

• Rosemary leaves - The primary part from which the extract is derived. They contain essential oils (like camphene, cineole, and borneol), flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins that have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Solvents - (such as ethanol, water, or supercritical CO₂) used to extract active compounds from the leaves.

Summary of the extraction process

• Harvesting - Rosemary leaves are harvested from the plant.
• Cleaning - The harvested leaves are washed to remove impurities and contaminants.
• Grinding - The cleaned leaves are ground to increase surface contact and improve extraction efficiency.
• Extraction - The ground leaves are exposed to a solvent to extract the active compounds.
• Filtration - The obtained extract is filtered to remove any remaining solid particles.
• Evaporation - If a solvent is used, it's removed by evaporation, leaving behind the concentrated extract.
• Storage - The concentrated extract is stored in suitable containers to maintain its freshness and efficacy.

What it is for and where

Cosmetics

Antimicrobial agent. This ingredient is able to suppress or inhibit the growth and replication of a broad spectrum of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses by making the stratum corneum temporarily bactericidal and fungicidal.

Fragrance. It plays a decisive and important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product. 

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

CAS    84604-14-8

EC number   283-291-9

Applications:

• Culinary: Rosemary is frequently used in cooking to season dishes such as meats, pizzas, flatbreads, and soups.

Cosmetic:

• Hair Care: Can stimulate hair growth, reduce dandruff, and enhance scalp health.
• Skin Care: Owing to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, it's employed in creams, lotions, and soaps.

Medicinal:

• Cognition: Some research suggests that rosemary may improve memory and focus.
• Anti-inflammatory: Can help alleviate inflammation and pain in conditions like arthritis.

Properties:

• Antimicrobial: Acts against a range of bacteria and fungi.
• Antioxidant: Contains compounds like rosmarinic acid that fend off free radicals.
• Anti-inflammatory: Contains agents such as carnosol and ursolic acid that possess anti-inflammatory qualities.

Rosemary studies

In the phytochemical analysis, 18 components were identified, namely 13 flavones, two organic acids and three diterpenes. A total of 82 components were found in the volatile fractions, including hydrocarbon monoterpenes and 1,8-cineole, camphor, borneol and verbenone as dominant components, α-pinene and camphene among the oxygenated monoterpenes (1).

Among the polyphenolic components present in rosemary, carnosic acid has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and rosmarinic acid has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

Rosmarinic acid also has  anti-oxidative properties.

Rosemary extract exerts a relaxing action on the muscles of the trachea and intestines and has therapeutic potential in the prevention of various diseases including cataracts, atherosclerosis, peptic ulcer disease, and cardiovascular disorders (2).

Rosemary essential oil obtained from leaves or flowers is used in dermatology to treat wounds and minor skin eruptions, in gastrointestinal disorders as an anti-dispeptic, diuretic and antispasmodic in renal colic (3), in neurology for headaches and circulation problems, in pneumology as an expectorant.

References_______________________________________________________________________

(1) Napoli EM, Siracusa L, Saija A, Speciale A, Trombetta D, Tuttolomondo T, La Bella S, Licata M, Virga G, Leone R, Leto C, Rubino L, Ruberto G. Wild Sicilian rosemary: phytochemical and morphological screening and antioxidant activity evaluation of extracts and essential oils.    Chem Biodivers. 2015 Jul;12(7):1075-94. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.201400274.

(2)  al-Sereiti MR, Abu-Amer KM, Sen P.  Pharmacology of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Linn.) and its therapeutic potentials.  Indian J Exp Biol. 1999 Feb;37(2):124-30. Review.

(3) Ulbricht C, Abrams TR, Brigham A, Ceurvels J, Clubb J, Curtiss W, Kirkwood CD, Giese N, Hoehn K, Iovin R, Isaac R, Rusie E, Serrano JM, Varghese M, Weissner W, Windsor RC. An evidence-based systematic review of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Diet Suppl. 2010 Dec;7(4):351-413. doi: 10.3109/19390211.2010.525049.