The essential oil of rosemary, a natural anti-inflammatory

Rosemary essential oil is composed ofa blend of terpenes, including eucalyptol, which is present in significant quantities. Eucalyptol is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. A study conducted on rats demonstrated that eucalyptol significantly inhibited the production of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-5 in lymphocytes, as well as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in monocytes. These cytokines, particularly TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, are known for their role as pro-inflammatory mediators in the inflammatory process.

The essential oil of rosemary also contains two other components, α-pinene and borneol, which have been identified as playing a role in its anti-inflammatory activity. Specifically, α-pinene has been observed to inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B, a protein involved in the immune response. Furthermore, it is capable of reducing inflammatory markers, decreasing the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase. Nitric oxide synthase is responsible for the production of nitric oxide, a signalling molecule that plays a part in the pathogenesis of inflammation. As for borneol, it has demonstrated a significant ability to suppress the expression of messenger RNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6. This suggests that borneol plays an important role in modulating the inflammatory response. Thus, α-pinene and borneol, present in rosemary essential oil, contribute to its anti-inflammatory activity. α-pinene acts by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B and reducing inflammatory markers, while borneol suppresses the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Studies on rats have allowed us to observe the anti-inflammatory effects of rosemary essential oil when it was added to their diet. The results showed a notable decrease in the infiltration of neutrophils, which are the first agents of innate immunity, at the site of inflammation in rats treated with rosemary essential oil, compared to the control groups of rats. These observations reinforce the idea that rosemary essential oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the inflammatory response in the body.

All these observations confirm the anti-inflammatory power of rosemary essential oil, making it an effective remedy for alleviating symptoms of rheumatism, tendonitis and torticollis.