Active Molecules: What is Rosemary Essential Oil Composed of?

Native to Provence, rosemary is a highly popular aromatic plant used both in cooking and traditional medicine. Its name comes from the Latin term "ros marinus", which means "dew of the sea". It belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Rosemary is originally from the Mediterranean region, but it is now cultivated in many regions around the world. There are different types of rosemary with varied chemotypes: verbenoniferum, cineoliferum and camphoriferum.

The essential oil of rosemary is used to alleviate rheumatic pains, stimulate blood circulation, and soothe digestive disorders. A treatment based on this natural extract is recommended for spring and autumn to detoxify and stimulate the liver. This essential oil also restores vitality and tone in cases of fatigue, both physically and mentally.

The essential oil used in our products is camphor rosemary essential oil (INCI: Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf Oil). It is composed of a set of active molecules including:

• α-Pinene (18 to 26%):

  This is the most prevalent terpene found in nature. A study has shown that it possesses antimicrobial activity through structural changes in cellular morphology and disruption of protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis. It is used in cosmetics as a fragrance due to its distinctive scent. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties by suppressing inflammatory markers, reducing the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.

• Eucalyptol or 1.8 cineole (16 to 25%):

  Eucalyptol is a natural compound from the family of monoterpene epoxides found in plants. It is generally used in the pharmaceutical industry for its bactericidal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can be explained by its ability to inhibit TNF-α and IL-1β, pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, the mode of action of its antibacterial and antiviral activity is not yet clear. In cosmetics, it is used for its camphor-like scent.

• Camphor (13 to 33%):

  Camphor is a chemical compound belonging to the family of monoterpenic ketones. It possesses potent antiseptic and analgesic properties. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate muscle and joint pain. However, its mechanism of action is not yet known.

• Camphene (8 to 12%):

  Camphene, from the family of monoterpene hydrocarbons, is an isomer of Alpha-pinene found in rosemary. Studies have shown that camphene possesses anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting prostaglandin E2, which is linked to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX). Furthermore, it is capable of inhibiting the activity of 5-LOX, a pro-inflammatory enzyme. Camphene also exhibits antioxidant activity by reducing lipid peroxidation and inhibiting the release of nitric oxide and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

JIANG Y. & al. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Rosemary. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology (2011).

BHOWAL M. & al. Eucalyptol: Safety and Pharmacological Profile. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2015).

EL HACHLAFI N. & al. In Vitro and in Vivo Biological Investigations of Camphene and Its Mechanism Insights: A Review. Food Reviews International (2021).

KHARAZMKIA A. & al. Potential effects of alpha-pinene, a monoterpene commonly found in essential oils against Toxoplasma gondii infection; an in vitro and in vivo study. Journal of Parasitic Diseases (2022).