ABSTRACT
Rosemary oil is the essential oil obtained from the leaves and flowering tops of the rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. Rosmarinus officinalis L. is a woody evergreen perennial herb, up to 1.5 meters tall, which has strongly aromatic, needle-like evergreen leaves. Rosemary is native to the Madeira Islands, the Canary Islands, northern Africa, the Mediterranean European countries, Cyprus, Turkey, and the Caucasus. The plant is widely cultivated for medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and ornamental purposes. Rosemary is one of the most prized culinary herbs, especially in Mediterranean cuisine. Dried rosemary leaves are used as seasoning for soups, meat, fish, and poultry and also applied in alcoholic beverages and herbal soft drinks. The essential oil of rosemary, which is obtained by steam-distillation from the leaves and flowering tops of the plant, is widely used as an ingredient in rubefacients, liniments, inhalants, perfumes, soaps, deodorants, bath essences, hair lotions, shampoos and other cosmetics, room sprays, detergents, softeners, disinfectants and insecticides.
