Rosemary is a fragrant herb that grows in many varieties around the world, and it’s been used by humans for thousands of years, which means there’s plenty of research about its benefits. While rosemary water and rosemary oil are both extracted from rosemary plants, each one has slightly different uses and benefits that you can enjoy.
In this article, you’ll learn the difference between rosemary water and rosemary oil, how to use them properly, and what the science says about the potential health effects of each one.
Rosemary oil vs Rosemary water
Rosemary water has been used to promote healthy digestion, hair health, and other skin care, plus it can be consumed orally with less concentration or in the form of tea, while rosemary oil have more or less the same benefits as rosemary water but it is generally used for external purposes like for hair loss treatment. But which rosemary product offers the most benefits? Here’s what you need to know about rosemary water vs rosemary oil to help you decide which product is best for you.
So which one is better for you? Let’s talk about the benefits of rosemary water and rosemary oil. Since both are made with rosemary, it seems like they would have similar benefits. However, that’s not necessarily true. Before we dig into which one you should use (or both!), let’s go over what each is and how they are used.
A bit more detail
Both rosemary water and rosemary oil have great benefits, but not everyone knows that rosemary oil is more concentrated than rosemary water. Due to its acidic properties (carnosic acid, ursolic acid, and rosmarinic acid), it is generally advised to use for external use, even if it can be consumed for internal use if it is taken in low concentration (i.e around 4gm to 6gm of rosemary leaves). As you may know, how concentrated oil affects its potency. So, when it comes to benefits, your choice between using rosemary water or rosemary oil depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
As mentioned rosemary oil is more concentrated since it can be applied directly to your skin but better to apply other types of essential oil before applying rosemary oil directly, especially to your scalp. On the other hand, Rosemary water has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes, ranging from curing headaches to acting as an antiseptic.
Also, Rosemary water is better for culinary use and can also be used as a mouthwash or toner. But with all these benefits, what’s best—rosemary water or rosemary oil? It depends on what you’re looking to use it for! If you want something that can provide benefits both externally and internally, go with rosemary water. If you’re just interested in its external uses, then rosemary oil is a better choice.
Benefits of Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil is commonly used as an essential oil and is known to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It also has been proven to improve blood circulation when massaged over the area where circulation tends to be poor and reduce inflammation and pain where applied, as well as reduce mental fatigue, alleviate stress or anxiety, and can even improve memory if its aroma is inhaled.
In some cases, rosemary oil may help to reduce hair loss by stimulating the scalp and hair follicles. More recently, it has been shown to help treat hair loss related to male pattern baldness, especially its effectiveness is even compared with minoxidil which is a well-known treatment for hair loss. When used directly on your scalp, rosemary oil is thought to protect against dandruff as well as slow down graying of hair. Other benefits include improving skin conditions like puffiness and giving a soothing effect that rejuvenates the skin.
Benefits of Rosemary Water
Rosemary water can be used in many different ways. It has been proven to decrease heartburn and indigestion, get rid of acne, freshen breath, prevent cavities, reduce cellulite, regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation in the liver, and much more. The benefits of rosemary water are countless. One can try it out by drinking a few teaspoons of rosemary water with lemon or honey every morning to keep their body healthy and eliminate toxins from their body. Others will use it as a face wash and exfoliating skin or hair rinse to eliminate dandruff.
Since rosemary is such a strong herb. The benefits of rosemary water are due to its strong antioxidant properties. The herb contains polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins which protect the body from oxidative damage and fight against free radicals, therefore it can be an effective ingredient in the fight against even a disease like cancer. In addition, rosemary contains rosmarinic acid, so consuming it in the form of rosemary tea by boiling rosemary leaves in the water can help treat high blood pressure and inflammation associated with arthritis.
How to Use Both Rosemary Oils and Rosemary Water in Different Ways
Rosemary water and rosemary oil can be used together in different ways. Rosemary-infused water can be used as a toner or face mist in place of water or store-bought toners. You can consume it in the form of tea or add it with honey to make it taste better. If using rosemary oil, try not to apply it directly to your skin as it can be concentrated, and advised to use it by diluting it either with a few drops of water or other essential oil. You can make a couple of bottles for each of these and store them in your fridge or in a cool place.
Does it make sense to buy both oils and water at the same time?
If you’re interested in trying out the health benefits of rosemary oil and rosemary water, then it may make sense to purchase both at the same time. But it also depends on what benefits you want to attain after getting knowledge on both the products and their respective benefits, such as for massaging purposes or for hair loss issues, rosemary oil will be worth buying especially when considering external use when compare to rosemary water whose purchase is more sensible if you are looking to attain internal benefits which pertain to gut or digestive health.
However, if you are mainly looking for rosemary-infused water and are not willing to spend extra money, then you can save a few bucks by making your own rosemary water, before investing in oils. Regardless of which one(s) you choose to buy, they both have many benefits that can help improve your overall health.
What are the side effects of using Rosemary?
Side effects of using rosemary are rare and can depend on your own unique biology. Many people have no side effects while others have negative reactions which can include upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, headache, and diarrhea. Even though they are considered mild they should still be discussed with your doctor especially if you start taking rosemary orally.
Those who are allergic to plants from the mint family are recommended not to use rosemary oil since it is part of that group and therefore precautions should be taken. Anyone with epilepsy should also try to avoid using rosemary, as it has some possible side effects for those with seizure disorders. While the essential oils can be toxic if taken internally in large amounts when applied topically or inhaled they appear safe in general.
Conclusion
Rosemary has many health benefits and can help a person achieve a number of health goals. It can help people in improving digestion, can work as hair loss treatment, rejuvenate your skin, also contains properties of antioxidants, and can also be effective for anti-aging. The oils are great for external use for skin and hair and even their aromatic scent can alleviate anxiety and depression, and even help you fall asleep better at night. Rosemary water, on the other hand, can be taken internally in the form of tea or otherwise and be used as a medicine that can have a positive effect on digestion, liver health, etc.
By using rosemary oil or rosemary water, you’ll be able to enjoy many health benefits that other people might not realize are there. While there are some side effects of using rosemary oil, which are minimal and it usually doesn’t happen when you use small amounts. But overall, rosemary is a great herb that can be incorporated into daily routine, which can provide plenty of health benefits.
