Scent Almanac
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)
Fresh, herbaceous and camphor-woody. The cineole type is sharper and more eucalyptus-like, and the camphor type is more savory-herbal.
- Made from
- Steam-distilled from the flowering tops and leaves of rosemary.
- Strength
- ●●●●○
- Cost
- Budget
- Moods
- FocusingEnergizingRefreshing
- Seasons
- Winter, Spring, Autumn
- Rooms
- Kitchen, Office, Bathroom
Cautions
- Commonly advised against in pregnancy
Commonly advised against in pregnancy and for people with epilepsy (camphor-rich types especially). Otherwise gentle at normal use.
How it behaves
CandlesGood
Wax meltsGood
Reed diffuserGreat
Room & linen sprayGreat
Rosemary with sea salt or lemon is a clean, bright kitchen spray.
Electric (water) diffuserGreat
Cold-process soapGood
No acceleration or discoloration. It softens a little over cure, so pair it with peppermint or cedarwood. Don't confuse the essential oil with rosemary oleoresin extract (ROE): that's an antioxidant soapers add to oils, and it adds almost no scent.
Melt-and-pour soapGreat
Laundry & cleaningGreat
Pairs well with
Lemon
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Peppermint
Top · Herbal
Essential oil
Lavender
Middle · Floral
Essential oil
Eucalyptus
Top · Herbal
Essential oil
Atlas Cedarwood
Base · Woody
Essential oil
Grapefruit
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Basil
Top · Herbal
Essential oil
Thyme
Middle · Herbal
Essential oil
Sea Salt
Top · Fresh & clean
Fragrance oil
Virginian Cedarwood
Base · Woody
Essential oil
Don't have it? Try Eucalyptus.
In these blends
Eucalyptus Steam Room
The cool, clearing air of a spa steam room after a long week.
Eucalyptus · Rosemary · Lavender · Atlas Cedarwood · Peppermint
RefreshingCleanCalmingWinterSpring
Deep Work
A clear head and a closed door: bright lemon over focused herbs.
Rosemary · Lemon · Virginian Cedarwood · Cypress · Peppermint
FocusingEnergizingAutumnWinterSpring
Clean Slate
The satisfying snap of a freshly cleaned house with the windows open.
Lavender · Lemon · Rosemary · Virginian Cedarwood · Tea Tree
CleanRefreshingSpringSummer
Spring Clean Citrus
Grapefruit, lime and herbs for scrubbing sinks and freshening drains.
Grapefruit · Lemongrass · Rosemary · Lime · Virginian Cedarwood · Tea Tree
CleanUpliftingSpringSummer
A little lore
Rosemary has long been linked with memory: Shakespeare's Ophelia hands it out 'for remembrance'.