Rosmarinus officinalis – the three chemotypes

Rosemary
Essential Oil Profile - Rosemary
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis –
the three chemotypes
chemotypes,1 therefore it is important to know
the specific qualities of each type.
Rosemary has been praised and even venerated
since earliest antiquity, and branches of it have
been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to
the First Dynasty (about 3000 BC).
This chemotype of Rosemary is the most
commonly used in Aromatherapy. Rosemary
CT 1 is reported by French ‘Aromatic Medicine’
physicians as the most specific for
neuromuscular problems, such as muscular
aches, cramps and spasm; neuralgic and
rheumatic pains 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and as a general
"tonic", warming and energising for memory
and concentration problems, fatigue states and
recovery from illnesses. 2, 10, 11 Rosemary CT 1 is
also seen as a digestive stimulant useful for the
liver and gall bladder, mucolytic and
decongestant for respiratory conditions and
useful for skin and scalp conditions such as
acne, mature skin, dandruff and hair loss. 2, 13, 14
Over time, the therapeutic reputation of
Rosemary grew until it became legendary. It
was Arab physicians, such as Avicenna, who
first managed to extract its essential oil, which
was subsequently much valued by the alchemists
and physicians of the European Renaissance.
From the 17th century, Rosemary was a popular
herb and essential oil in European medicine,
with praises accorded to it such as: "The spirits
of the heart and entire body feel joy from this
drink, which dispels all despondency and
worry" (Wilhelm Ryff), and useful for "… all
cold diseases of the head and brain, as the
giddiness or swimmings therein, drowsiness or
dullness…, the dumb palsy, or lack of speech,
the lethargy and falling-sickness (epilepsy)"
(Nicholas Culpeper).
"Rosemary" is derived from the Latin ros (dew)
and marinus (sea). "Sea dew" alludes to its
preferred habitat on sea coasts. An
undemanding plant, Rosmarinus officinalis
grows all around the Mediterranean region.
Extraction
The essential oil of Rosemary is extracted via
steam distillation of the branches for approximately
1 hour, 30 minutes. All three of the Rosemary
chemotypes come from sustainably harvested
wild-growing plants.
A carbon dioxide extract is also produced. A
Rosemary CO 2 extract, utilising Rosemary CT
2 cineole, is the basis of our Amiox antioxidant.
What is a Chemotype?
In aromatic plants, a chemotype refers to a
plant of a defined species, where it can
produce an essential oil of varying composition
(and hence, therapeutic activity).
This is specifically a genetic variation, that is
often originally determined by the conditions
under which it was grown, such as climate,
latitude, altitude and the quality of the soil.
Chemotypes can be seen in seen in distinct
geographical areas, as is the case with
Rosemary, or there can be dramatic differences
between plants growing right next to one
another, as is the case with various Meleleuca
and Eucalyptus species.
A variety of aromatic plant species will produce
different chemotypes, notably species such as
Thymus vulgaris (Common Thyme), Melaleuca
quinquenervia (Niaouli), Matricaria recutita
(German Chamomile) and Rosmarinus
officinalis (Rosemary). Three different
chemotypes (CT) of Rosemary are found.
Details of the composition of the three chemotypes
are below. As can be seen, there are marked
differences in the composition of these three
Rosemary CT1 camphor from Spain
Rosemary CT2 1,8 cineole from Morocco
This chemotype is reported to be the most
specific for respiratory and ENT (ear, nose and
throat) ailments, such as colds, ‘flu, bronchitis,
asthma, ear infections and the like, with it’s
expectorant and mucolytic properties. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Rosemary CT2 is also considered a useful
analgesic oil, for conditions such as headaches
and the pain of rheumatoid arthritis; a
circulatory tonic for venous circulation. 21, 22
Rosemary CT3 verbenone from France (Corsica)
This special chemotype (found only in Corsica)
is reported to be the most specific for liver and
gall bladder complaints, as indicated by poor
digestion, difficulty with fatty foods,
constipation and the like. 23, 24, 25, 26 Rosemary
CT3, with it’s gentle mucolytic properties, is
also considered useful for respiratory and
genital complaints (such as in the case of
vaginal discharge). 27, 28 French "Aromatic
Medicine" specialists have suggested this
chemotype as a useful immunostimulant,
as a cardiotonic as in the case of heart
palpitations, for nervous and post-natal
depression, and generally as a restorative
of psychological balance. 29, 30, 31
Safety Issues
Rosemary CT1 and CT3 should used with
care on epileptics (especially when poorly
controlled) and in cases of high fever, due
to the potentially neurotoxic quality of
camphor.32, 33 This caution is most specifically
for the ingestion of the oil.34
Always use diluted; Rosemary oil is classed as
a "weak" sensitiser and can potentially create
allergic skin reactions in hypersensitive
individuals.35 In respect to any skin irritant
qualities, Rosemary oil is classed as "very
mildly irritant". 36
Due to the content of 1,8 cineole and
camphor in all three of the chemotypes,
Rosemary oil does have the capacity to poison
young children, if ingested in large amounts
(a potentially fatal dose of Rosemary CT1
could be as low as 5mL in a small child).37
Compound
CT1 Camphor
CT2 1,8 Cineole
CT3 Verbenone
Camphor
1,8 cineole
a-pinene
verbenone
bornyl acetate
15 -30%
17-25%
18 -27%
trace
trace
7 -15%
40 -55%
8 -17%
trace
trace
5 -15%
6 -22%
15 -38%
5 - 40%
1-10%
Always keep out of reach of children and the
use of bottles with ‘dropper’ inserts will help to
limit accidental ingestion.
Rosemary essential oil has often been
mentioned in Aromatherapy books as an oil
not to be used during pregnancy nor in high
blood pressure conditions.
However, there is no evidence to support such
statements. The use of Rosemary oil in typical
external applications (in baths, in diffusers and up
to a 2.5% dilution for a full body massage) is considered
to be non-problematic in such cases.38,39,40
With external applications of less than a 10%
concentration, Rosemary oil of any chemotype
can be considered as non-toxic, non-irritant
and non-phototoxic.41, 42, 43
References available on request from Essential Therapeutics
Rosemary Times Three Offer!
Enjoy a 10% discount on
two Rosemary essential oils
until 16th May, 2003.
Rosemary CT1 – 10mL Rosemary CT2 – 10mL
And while stocks last, we are offering our
certified organic Rosemary CT 3 verbenone
in both 5mL and 50mL at 15% off.
Coming soon to a distributor near you…
In the coming months, we will receive our first batch
of AUSTRALIAN GROWN Rosemary CT 3 verbenone.
It is being grown in plantation in western Victoria.
Our first samples show it to be an excellent oil. It is
being grown organically, but the farm is not yet certified.
We will keep you informed…
The Ultimate
Practitioner Range
For your nearest Distributor, please contact:
Essential Therapeutics Head Office
2/58 Melverton Drive, Hallam VIC 3803
Tel (03) 8795 7720 Fax (03) 8795 7375
Email esstherapeutics@ozemail.com.au
Victoria – Oborne Health Supplies
Tel (03) 8831 3888 Fax (03) 8831 3898
South Australia - BettaLife Distributors
Tel (08) 8351 8455 Fax (08) 8351 8722
New South Wales - Select Botanicals
Tel (02) 9817 0400 Fax (02) 9817 0500
Western Australia - Olfactory Sensations
Tel (08) 9470 9770 Fax (08) 9470 9766
Queensland - Sunstate Therapy Supplies
Tel (07) 5493 6555 Fax (07) 5493 6566
Queensland - Naturopathic Remedies Group
Tel (07) 3261 8988 Fax (07) 3261 7355
Tasmania - Cartledge Agency
Tel (03) 6344 5466 Fax (03) 6343 2472
Northern Territory - Kay Halstead (Agent)
Tel 0428 898 410
New Zealand - Wellpark College
Tel 9360 0560 Fax 9376 4307
Minneapolis USA - Michelle Juneau
Tel (612) 332 4422 Fax (612) 344 1282
Seattle USA – Zobiana Aromatherapy
Tel (360) 658 4908 Email info@zobiana.com
Hong Kong - Southern Essence
Tel (852) 9833 9883 Fax (852) 2906 5291
Vol 12 April 2003
Editorial
Quality Matters…
Greetings. How can you be certain
that you are purchasing a real
essential oil? In this issue we expose
the ‘well kept secret’ of our unique
Quality Assurance program –
Quality Matters…
Based on numerous queries, included is an in-depth review
of the Three Rosemarys’ to help allay confusion over ‘which
oil is best?’
We have ‘relaunched’ our Essential Base Lotion with a new
formulation and pricing. I am sure you’ll agree that this
natural base lotion is a better alternative the usual mineral
oil-based Sorbolene lotions.
In parting, given the times, we all wish you peace!
Best Regards,
Ron Guba
Editor
New! Virgin Red Rose Hip Oil
Essential Therapeutics has long offered a top-quality refined
Rose Hip oil, a great ‘EFA’ oil (rich in essential fatty acids)
for skin regeneration. We do love virgin, or unrefined
vegetable oils, but the unrefined Rose Hip first available
was far too ‘smelly’ and dark in colour.
We have now sourced an excellent Virgin Red Rose Hip
oil (Rosa rubinginosa or mosqueta) from Chile. It is light
red in colour, with a pleasant odour. Coming soon to our
distributors, this Virgin oil is what we will now be offering.
Special Introductory Offer
Our new Essential Base Lotion will be offered until 16th May,
2003 at a 10% discount off the normal wholesale price of both the
250mL size and 1 litre size.
And if you would like a free 100mL trial sample,
please contact your nearest distributor.
If one looks at herbal medicine products out in the
marketplace, we see almost exclusively products that are
listed with the Therapeutic Goods Administration and are
guaranteed in their quality. That is, the products actually
contain what they claim to contain!
The whole plethora of ‘Aromatherapy’ products, on the
other hand, does present a different picture. Many of the
products available to the public are ‘life style’ products that
use the concept of ‘Aromatherapy’. As no particular
therapeutic claim is being made (even though it may be
implied), the ingredients contained may be real essential
oils, or adulterated essential oils and synthetic fragrance
compounds. This is simply the reality of consumer products
that exploit the popular ‘feel good’ idea of Aromatherapy.
More to the point, however, are the availability of so-called
‘essential oils’ from companies that are happy to promote
their products as ‘100% Therapeutic-grade Aromatherapy
Oils’ to unsuspecting complementary therapists and health
care facilities, along with the general public.
In this, the loophole is that no therapeutic claims are made
for the products. Hence, the essential oils can be promoted
as ‘100% pure & natural’, without ever having to pass ANY
quality control standards, such as is demanded by the
‘Good Manufacturing Practice’ standards of the Therapeutic
Goods Act. The actual quality of such products has been
demonstrated to be from ‘OK’ to highly adulterated. Such
adulteration varies from extension with less expensive
essential oils; extension with synthetically produced
aromachemicals and/or dilution with solvents such as
dipropylene glycol or diethyl pthlatate. You might even be
provided with a ‘certificate of analysis’, that quite truly is
not worth the paper it is printed on. Let the buyer beware!
When it comes to the true therapeutic uses of essential oils,
quality DOES matter.
I’d like to discuss with you what we at Essential
Therapeutics do to actually guarantee the authenticity
of each and every essential oil that we provide.
Our Quality Assurance Department
Back in 1991, John Fergeus, our MD, acquired our first gas
chromatography / mass spectometry unit. GC/MS analysis
(I’ll use the abbreviation), combined with other standard
physical tests, is simply the state-of-the-art method for
analysing essential oils for authenticity.
However, having this equipment is not enough by itself. John
Fergeus and our other QA staff have spent countless hours
of study, attending trade conferences, etc., etc. to specifically
become expert in the analysis of essential oils.
In other words, simply to send a sample of an essential oil
out for analysis to a company or University who will do
simple gas chromatography or GC/MS analysis, may very
well not be fruitful. Unless the staff are real experts in
essential oil analysis and up-to-date with all the possible
While stocks last.
© Copyright 2003 Essential Therapeutics Not for Public Distribution
continued overleaf
aspects of adulteration, you will likely only
receive some identification of major
components.
essential oil analysis and product
development.
Quality Assurance Procedures:
Hence, a Lavender oil sample may be
shown to meet the ‘B.P.’ standard (British
Pharmacopoeia), with appropriate levels of
linalool, linalyl acetate and camphor as
prime components, as well as basic physical
tests. The oil can then be passed off as
‘real’ Lavender oil, even perhaps being
supplied with a ‘certificate of analysis’.
A diagram is on the following page of
the procedures and analysis that
every essential oil that we provide
must go through.
It must be said that we have longstanding relationships with our major
producers. They do not provide us
Dr Charles Cornwell conducting GC/MS analysis
with adulterated essential oils!
distilled’ essential oils and oils that have
Certainly, our quality assurance program
been subject to short time ‘perfume’
will always ‘keep them honest’, should it
distillation. With hexane-extracted
ever become an issue.
absolutes, such as Rose and Jasmine, they
More to the point are wannabe suppliers,
are guaranteed to be ‘clean’, with less than
who provide us with samples of essential
10 parts per million (that’s less than
oils they wish to offer us. In this situation,
0.001%) of any hexane residues.
our QA testing has demonstrated
Growing Method. An important and
adulteration on various occasions. Such
unique aspect of our TGEO Quality
results settle the matter very quickly.
Guarantee is to provide the growing
Further Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil
method for each essential oil.
(TGEO) Guarantees
Select essential oils are the best quality,
Decidedly, our extensive Quality
100% pure & natural essential oils derived
Assurance program is unique amongst
from conventional agriculture. One
Aromatherapy suppliers. Our procedures
example is Bergamot ‘Supreme’ oil,
fully meet and surpass all the requirements of
expeller-pressed from selected quality fruit
the Australian Therapeutic Goods
from Calabria in Italy.
Administration and the necessary Good
Traditional essential oils are from ‘nonManufacturing Practice standards.
certified’ organic growing practices. That
Above and beyond the TGA standard, we
is, pesticides, synthetic fertilisers and the
offer you further assurances on each
like are not used, but have not been
essential oil that we provide:
certified by an organic certifying
association. One example is Patchouli oil,
Defined Botanical Species. The
sourced from small-scale farmers in Aceh
Therapeutic Goods requirements do
demand that the exact botanical species be province, Indonesia.
to be used. However, we have seen that
Organic essential oils are guaranteed to be
this requirement can be bypassed, as a
from certified organic growing practices
simple analysis to meet a ‘standard’ leaves
(how easy it is to pass off a poor quality oil
room for the blending of oils from less
as ‘organic’!). We hold a certification
expensive species, as in the case of
number (W310) from the Biological
Lavandin and True Lavender. We make
Farmers of Australia (BFA), allowing us to
certain that we provide you the exact
offer fully certified organically grown
botanical species as stated. And further,
essential oils. In this case, every oil we
where necessary, we also state the
import that holds overseas organic
chemotype, as in the example of
certification is vetted by the BFA to
Rosemary CT1, CT2 and CT3. In each case, guarantee its certification.This certification
the species is Rosmarinus officinalis, but
can apply both to plantation grown plants,
each chemotype has a different essential
such as our organic True Lavender, and to
oil composition and hence, a different
wild-harvested plants, such as our Tea
range of therapeutic benefits.
Tree ‘Ecowild’.
Country of Origin. A number of
Wild essential oils are derived from wildaromatic plants have their natural,
harvested aromatic plants. Such essential
‘vintage’ ares of growth. For example, True oils generally represent the highest quality
Lavender clones are grown in a number of
and excellent value, as compared to the
countries, including Australia, but the
higher costs of plantation-grown, certified
‘truest’ True Lavender, wild-harvested
organic plants. As well, we look to source
Alpine Lavender, is sourced only from
sustainably wild-harvested plants. Prime
higher altitudes of the Provence in
examples include Rosemary CT 1 from
Southern France. We state the country
Spain and Eucalyptus Australiana from
of origin for each essential oil.
New South Wales.
Extraction Method. We state the
In summary, real quality does matter.
extraction method for each essential oil –
Our commitment and passion is to provide
either steam distillation, carbon dioxide
you with the highest quality essential oils
extraction or hexane extraction
for true therapeutic use. Our TGEO
(absolutes). In the case of steam
Quality Guarantee is simply the most
distillation, we specifically source and
comprehensive assurance available!
supply single distilled oils that have been
For further information, please ask for a
distilled for the full length of time. We
copy of our Quality brochure.
avoid offering ‘rectified’ or ‘double-
However, upon closer inspection (which
we have done many times on Lavender
samples), one may very well find on
GC/MS analysis, trace amounts of
compounds such as dihydro linalool.
Detection of such a compound is a sure
sign that the oil is a ‘blend’ including
synthetically produced linalool – the
dihydro linalool is a by-product of
synthetic manufacture, never found in a
True Lavender oil. We have developed an
extensive ‘constituent library’, giving us
the capability to detect even the most
‘sophisticated’ adulteration for each and
every essential oil that we provide.
Therefore, without expert analysis,
‘essential oils’ can be demonstrated to
meet various standards (B.P., ISO,
AFNOR) relating to chemical composition,
yet be quite adulterated.
As well, the demand for guaranteeing
species purity is routinely disregarded
by flavour & fragrance suppliers. That is,
True Lavender should be exclusively from
Lavandula angustifolia, not hybrid
Lavandin, L. intermedia. Hence, it
becomes an issue of what level of
adulteration can be ‘gotten away with’.
Hence, an essential oil can meet all the
Australian TGA/GMP standards and be
‘passed’ to be promoted as a ‘therapeutic’
product, yet be an inferior, adulterated
essential oil. It is our in-depth analysis and
our long-term relationships with distillers that
allow us to fully guarantee our oils.
Most importantly for our customers, we do
not depend on ‘out sourcing’ our product
analysis to other companies. We have a
dedicated, expert Quality Assurance team
that fully analyses and guarantees every
essential oil that we offer.
Our Quality Assurance team:
Dr. Charles Cornwell PhD. Charles is our
Chief Chemist, responsible for all aspects
of GC/MS analysis and product
development briefs. His Doctorate (and
expertise) is specifically in the chemistry
and analysis of essential oils.
Linda Groom B.Eng. Linda is our Quality
Assurance Manager, responsible for all
aspects of QA issues, including all
regulatory issues (such as Therapeutic
Goods requirements).
Claire Caldere Dip. Chem Science Claire
is our Quality Assurance Technician, who
has been with us for almost nine years.
Claire is responsible for assisting in all
aspects of Quality Assurance, including
New & Improved!
Essential Base Lotion
The natural alternative to ‘Sorbolene’ lotions…
We have just ‘upgraded’ our Essential Base Lotion – a new
formulation, new packaging and a new lower price!
Essential Base Lotion is a natural vegetable oil-based product, designed
to be an alternative to the ubiquitous mineral oil-based ‘Sorbolene’ lotion.
It is a lighter, easily-absorbed version of our popular Essential Base Cream.
For years, various books have recommended and practitioners have
used mineral oil-based ‘Sorbolene’ lotion and ‘aqueous creams’ either
by themselves, or as a ‘carrier’ for the addition of essential oils, herbal
extracts, etc. for topical applications.
Though some dermatologists still suggest that Sorbolene-type lotions
are the best moisturisers available, many of us must disagree.
This recommendation is based on the fact that mineral oil and petroleum
jelly (both derived from crude oil) are very occlusive compounds on
the skin. That is to say, they act like plastic cling wrap. They smother
the skin, retarding the loss of water vapour from the skin and restrict
‘skin breathing’ - the transpiration of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
‘Mineral oils’ are very inert compounds – simple hydrocarbons, compounds
not present in our own ‘skin oil’ or sebaceous secretions. These compounds
simply sit on the surface of the skin, and are not utilised by the skin
cells in our epidermis. Mineral oil provides no real moisturising properties.
There are further drawbacks to mineral oil-based creams and lotions.
Mineral oil tends to clog the sebaceous glands, potentially leading to
blackheads and acne. Indeed, mineral oil can even lead to a
reduction in our own sebaceous secretions, causing dry skin!
As well, most Sorbelene lotions utilise common synthetic emulsifiers
and synthetic preservatives - all with their own draw backs.
In contrast, the natural vegetable oils and other emollient ingredients
in Essential Base Lotion have a host of benefits for the skin. These
ingredients closely mimic our natural sebaceous secretions, are far
less ‘occlusive’ than mineral oil and do increase hydration of the skin.
A far better alternative!
Essential Base Lotion makes an excellent carrier base for use in all
types of applications, including Aromatherapy treatments, massage,
reflexology and podiatr y.
Like Essential Base Cream, Essential Base Lotion can be used as a
general moisturiser for the body, face and hands as is, or as a ‘carrier
base’ for the addition of pure essential oils. Just add any desired
essential oils and mix in well. Up to an additional 10% essential oils
can be added.
Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil (TGEO)
Guarantee
Essential Base Lotion is well suited for use in health care settings, such
as hospitals and nursing homes as an effective general moisturiser –
for both patients and staff. Especially for nursing home residents,
where ‘skin integrity’ is a common problem, Essential Base Lotion will
offer real, noticeable benefits with daily use.
Essential Base Lotion now contains the following ingredients:
Pure water and vegetable oil-derived glycerine.
Natural emollients: Pure expeller pressed Sweet Almond and
Macadamia oil, light Coconut oil fractions, Cocoa Butter and Mango
Kernel Butter.
Emulsifiers: Vegetable oil derived emulsifying wax and sorbitan
stearate (a natural, food grade emulsifier from palm oil).
The lotion is protected against rancidity by using our Rosemary
antioxidant, Amiox and against microbial growth using our natural
Grapefruit Seed extract, Citricidal.
Linda Groom (on the left) and Claire Caldere (right).
Feedback... Any questions for the editor? Would you like to see an article
on a particular essential oil? Would you really like for Essential Therapeutics to
offer some new product ideas? Please direct your ideas and comments to us here
at Head Office or on esstherapeutics@ozemail.com.au. We look forward to
hearing from you.
Essential Base Lotion is now in available in two sizes, a 250mL
‘squeeze’ bottle and a 1 litre pump dispenser, both excellent to
prevent any cross contamination when used in health care settings.
Both sizes are now packed in opaque white bottles to help prevent
rancidity.
New prices:
250mL for $10.00
1 litre for $33.00