A volatile oil distilled from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis Linne (nat. ord. Labiatae).

Habitat

Basin of the Mediterranean; cultivated.

Characters

A colorless or pale yellow, limpid liquid, having the characteristic pungent odor of Rosemary, and a warm, somewhat camphora-ceous taste. Sp. gr., 0.895 to 0.915.

Solubility

In an equal volume of Alcohol; also soluble in an equal volume of Glacial Acetic Acid.

Composition

The chief constituents are - (1) The terpene, Pinene, C10H16, 80 per cent. (2) Cineol, C10H18O. (3) Borneo!, C10H16O, an alcohol isomeric with Geraniol (q. v.). (4) Linalool (see p. 545). (5) Menthol (see p. 547).

Oil of Rosemary is contained in Linimentum Saponis and Tinctura Lavandulae Composite.

Dose, 1 to 5 m.; .06 to .30 c.c.

Action And Therapeutics Of Oil Of Rosemary

Oil of rosemary has an action similar to that of other aromatic volatile oils. It is very commonly used to give a pleasant scent to lotions and other preparations which are used externally.