Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Rosemary camphor

Rosemary Camphor essential oil is traditionally recommended to help with muscle contraction, cramp and ache. For athletes, Rosemary Camphor essential oil is also reputed to make muscles for exercise. Rosemary Camphor essential oil has long been used to improve joint health.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

  • Food grade

    Food grade

Features

Properties and uses

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Branches

Botanical name

Rosmarinus officinalis L. camphoriferum

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties and uses

Rosemary Camphor Essential Oil is traditionally used for: Arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism, muscle cramp, restlessness, restless legs, stiff neck, etc.

Health

Find out more

Thanks to its camphor content, which has pain-relieving and warming effects, Rosemary Camphor essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy in massage preparations for sportspeople. It is traditionally used for cramp, aches and pains, joint painor muscle pain.

Properties

Rosemary camphor essential oil is recognised for its health properties:

  • Neuromuscular action

  • Mucolytic, lipolytic

  • Cardiotonic, general tonic (in low doses)

  • Relaxing and muscle-relaxing (higher doses)

  • Anti-rheumatic, pain-relieving, warming effect, due to its high camphor content

  • Increases bile production and facilitates its expulsion

  • Emmenagogue effect (non-hormonal action): promotes menstruation

  • Venous decongestant, vasodilator due to its camphor content

Uses

Rosemary camphor essential oil is traditionally used to improve the following conditions:

  • Muscle contraction, muscle tension, cramp, rheumatism and other joint problems, aches and pains.

  • Cerebral hypertension

  • Circulatory disorders with or without varicose veins

  • Hepatobiliary disorders (on medical advice), gallstones

  • Digestive system: digestive problems, dyspepsia

  • Skin: calluses, psoriasis, keloid scars

  • Amenorrhoea (absence of periods), light periods

Synergies

  • Muscle and joint health: essential oils of Lemon Eucalyptus, American Wintergreen, Katafray

  • Relaxing: Lavandin Grosso, Bitter Orange Leaf essential oils

In practice

Skin comfort, tonic: Mix into your oil blend. Apply your mixture locally, massaging lightly into the affected area.

Joint or muscle health: Mix with your oil blend. Apply your mixture locally, massaging lightly into the affected area.

Digestive health: Mix with your oil blend. Massage a few drops of your mixture into the upper abdomen.

Female cycle relief: Mix with your oil blend. Massage a few drops of your mixture into the lower abdomen.

Precautions

  • Prohibited during pregnancy and breastfeeding, for children under 7, epileptics and sensitive elderly people. This oil contains ketones, a neurotoxic and abortifacient risk.

  • Use in limited quantities and over a limited period of time. Avoid prolonged use. Oral use should be avoided and under supervision of therapists only.

  • Not recommended for use in the bath if you have high blood pressure.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Avoid contact with eyes.

  • Certain natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy for certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (in accordance with the 7th Amendment of the European Directive on cosmetic products (2003/15/EC)): limonene and, to a lesser extent, linalool.

  • As a general rule, always test-apply your mixture in the crease of the elbow at least 48 hours before use.

Find out more

A shrub typical of the garrigue region and the Mediterranean region, rosemary is highly prized as a flavouring in cooking , for stews, grilled food, sauces and even desserts. This aromatic plant is also widely renowned in phytotherapy for its multiple properties, notably as a choleretic, a relaxant and an expectorant, and is highly prized in perfumery, especially in men's fragrances. Rosemary has a legendary reputation as a cure for all ills and a skincare treatment.

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Rheumatism (C. Clergeaud)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

  • 100 ml of tamanu oil

  • 30 drops Rosemary Camphor EO

Directions: Mix the ingredients

Muscle cramps in adults (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

  • Gaultheria procumbens (American wintergreen) essential oil: 3 ml

  • Lavandula burnatii super (Lavandin super) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Rosmarinus officinalis camphora (rosemary camphor) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Cananga odorata (Ylang-ylang) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Hazelnut carrier oil: add up to 30 ml extra as required for product optimisation

Use: 5 to 6 drops locally 3 to 4 times a day as required.

Restlessness treatment oil (N. Purchon)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Rosemary essential oil: 30 drops

  • Pepper essential oil: 10 drops

  • Common Marjoram essential oil: 20 drops

  • Lavender essential oil: 10 drops

  • Grape seed oil : 4 tablespoons

Directions for use: Massage before going to bed, working up from the ankles to the top of the thighs.

Back pain (lumbago, sciatica) in children (over 6 years of age and on medical advice) (J-P. Willem)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • Rosemary camphor essential oil 0.5 ml

  • Bay laurel essential oil 0.5 ml

  • Ylang-Ylang complete essential oil 0.5 ml

  • Lemon eucalyptus essential oil 2 ml

  • Transcutol 15 ml

Directions for use: Apply 4 to 6 drops of the mixture locally to the painful area 4 times a day for 2 to 3 weeks.

Aroma-Zone comment: Transcutol is a little-used pharmaceutical preparation which allows fats such as essential oils to penetrate the skin easily. It can easily be replaced by a dry carrier oil such as Hazelnut, Kukui or Macadamia carrier oil.

Gout (to relieve symptoms) (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

  • Lemon eucalyptus essential oil: 5 drops

  • Rosemary camphor essential oil: 5 drops

  • American wintergreen essential oil: 5 drops

  • Foot bath base: 1 tablespoon

Directions for use: Soak your feet twice a day in a warm bath (38°C) for 10 minutes.

Stiff neck (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

Massage

Mix:

  • Rosemary camphor essential oil 1 drop

  • Helichrysum italicum essential oil 1 drop

  • Wild mint essential oil 1 drop

  • American wintergreen essential oil 1 drop

  • St John's wort oil 3 drops

  • Arnica oil 3 drops

Directions for use: Massage locally with this formula, 3 to 5 times a day for 2 to 3 days if necessary.

Aroma-Zone Note: St John's wort macerated oil may cause photosensitivity. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this mixture.

Treatment oil - Rheumatoid arthritis (N. Purchon)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

  • Benzoin absolute: 1 teaspoon

  • Juniper essential oil: 1 teaspoon

  • Black Pepper essential oil: 1/2 teaspoon

  • Ginger essential oil: 1/4 teaspoon

  • Rosemary (camphor) essential oil: 1/4 teaspoon

Directions for use : Pour all the ingredients into a dropper and shake vigorously. Leave to settle for 4 days before use, to allow the different substances to amplify their effects through synergy.

Directions for use: Pour 10 drops of product into 10 drops of carrier oil. Add the mixture to a glass filled with magnesium salt, then sprinkle into the bath. Shake well to mix, then remain immersed for 15 to 30 minutes, gently massaging painful limbs. For a body massage, mix 14 drops of product in a tablespoon of grape seed oil or sweet almond oil. Gently massage into the skin.

Sports oil (H. Baron)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

For 50 ml of lotion:

  • Arnica macerate: 50ml

  • Rosemary essential oil: 10 drops

  • Lavender essential oil: 5 drops

  • Sage essential oil: 5 drops

Directions: Mix all the ingredients and leave to stand for a few days before use.

Use: Massage into sore muscles.

You can pour a little of this mixture into a hot bath to relax the body after muscular exertion.

Muscle pain in adults (N. Purchon)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

  • Black pepper essential oil: 5 drops

  • Sweet marjoram essential oil: 15 drops

  • Juniper essential oil: 15 drops

  • Rosemary camphor essential oil: 15 drops

  • Grape seed oil : 3 tablespoons

Directions for use: Apply by massaging or add to bath (one tablespoon).

Anti-water retention care oil (N. Purchon)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Rosemary essential oil: 8 drops

  • Fennel essential oil: 15 drops

  • Juniper essential oil: 10 drops

  • Sweet almond carrier oil: 2 tablespoons

Uses:

- As an aromatherapy bath: pour 2 teaspoons into the bath.

- As a foot bath: add 1/4 teaspoon to warm water.

- As a body massage.

Lymphatic massage oil (N. Purchon)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Rosemary essential oil: 10 drops

  • Black Pepper essential oil: 8 drops

  • Juniper essential oil: 15 drops

  • Grape Seed Oil: 2 tablespoons

Use : For body massage.

Massage oil for paralysed limbs (N. Purchon)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

  • Sweet almond oil: 2 tablespoons

  • Jojoba oil: 1 tablespoon

  • Common marjoram essential oil: 20 drops

  • Lemon essential oil: 20 drops

  • Roman chamomile essential: 5 drops

  • Benzoin absolute: 5 drops

Directions for use: Pour all the ingredients into a dropper and shake vigorously. Leave to settle for 4 days before use, so that the different substances can amplify their effects by synergy.

Aroma-Zone note: Lemon essential oil is photosensitising. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this preparation. We recommend replacing it with lemon essential oil - furocoumarin-free, which is not photosensitising.

Directions for use: Pour 1 teaspoon of product into a small bowl filled with lukewarm water. Massage paralysed limbs using sweeping movements, always in the direction of the heart. If possible, massage in 1 or 2 times a day.

Psoriasis (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Rosmarinus officinalis CT Camphor Essential Oil (Rosemary Camphor): 1 ml

  • Rosmarinus officinalis CT Verbenone Essential Oil (Rosemary verbenone): 1 ml

  • Cedrus atlantica Essential Oil (Atlas Cedar): 1 ml

  • Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile) essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Nardostachys jatamansi Essential Oil (Himalayan Spikenard): 1 ml

  • Rosa rubiginosa Carrier Oil (Rosehip): 10 ml

  • Eucerin pH5: 100 g supplement

Directions for use: 2 to 3 applications a day until a clear improvement is seen.

Joint inflammation in children (over 6 years of age and on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • Rosmarinus officinalis CT camphora (rosemary camphor) essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Laurus nobilis (bay laurel) essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Cananga odorata totum (ylang-ylang complete) essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Eucalyptus citriodora (lemon eucalyptus) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Jojoba carried oil: 15 ml or more

Directions for use: Apply 4 to 6 drops of the mixture locally to the inflamed area 4 times a day for 2 to 3 weeks.

Calluses (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Maritime pine essential oil 3 ml

  • Rosemary camphor essential oil 2 ml

  • Menthol eucalyptus essential oil 2 ml

Directions for use: 3 to 4 drops of the mixture applied topically twice a day for 10 days.

Massage oil for Raynaud's disease (N. Purchon)

Health & wellbeingCirculatory disorders

  • Rosemary essential oil: 20 drops

  • Black pepper essential oil: 10 drops

  • Nutmeg essential oil: 10 drops

  • Geranium essential oil: 5 drops

  • Sweet almond carrier oil: 2 tablespoons

Uses: Massage or in the bath.

Sebaceous cysts and milia (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Cistus ladaniferus CT pinene essential oil (gum rockrose): 1 ml

  • Rosmarinus officinalis CT verbenone essential oil (Rosemary verbenone): 1 ml

  • Helichrysum italicum essential oil (helichrysum): 1 ml

  • Laurus nobilis essential oil (Bay Laurel): 0.5 ml

  • Rosmarinus officinalis CT camphor essential oil (Rosemary Camphor): 1 ml

  • Gaultheria procumbens essential oil (American Wintergreen): 0.5 ml

  • Transcutol: additional 15 ml

Directions for use: 2 local applications a day until a clear improvement is seen.

Cautions: This recipe is not suitable for milia around the eyes (in this case, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist). Not suitable for children under 12 or on pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Aroma-Zone comment: Transcutol is a little-used pharmaceutical preparation that allows fats such as essential oils to penetrate the skin easily. It can easily be replaced by a dry carrier oil such as Hazelnut, Kukui or Macadamia oil.

Bibliography

1

'Huiles essentielles - 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapeutiques pour une médecine d'avenir'

Dominique Baudoux

2

'Aromathérapie' Éditions Maloine

Dr Jean Valnet

3

'L'aromathérapie exactement'

P. Franchomme and Dr D. Pénoël

4

'La bible de l'aromathérapie'

Nerys Purchon

5

'L'ABC des huiles essentielles'

Dr Telphon

6

'Aromatherapy'

Nelly Grosjean

7

'Les huiles essentielles pour votre santé'

G. Roulier

8

'Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Dermatologie' - Editions Amyris

Dominique Baudoux

9

Aroma-News newsletters from the NARD association

10

'L'aromathérapie - Se soigner par les huiles essentielles' - Editions Amyris

Dominique Baudoux

11

'Aroma-Slimming'

Dr Willem

12

'Les huiles essentielles, médecine d'avenir'

Dr Willem