Rosemary: Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings (2024)

• Uses
  • What Is Rosemary and How Does It Work?
• Dosages
  • Dosages of Rosemary
• Side Effects
  • What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Rosemary?
• Drug Interactions
  • What Other Drugs Interact with Rosemary?
• Warnings and Precautions
  • What Are Warnings and Precautions for Rosemary?

What Is Rosemary and How Does It Work?

Rosemary is an herbal supplement that can be used in the treatment of bronchial asthma, peptic ulcer, prostate disorder, inflammatory disease, liver toxicity, atherosclerosis, stroke, ischemic heart disease, cataracts, leukemia, sperm motility, anticancer and antitumor activity, to enhance mental function and memory, dyspepsia, high blood pressure, rheumatism, promotes menstrual flow, antibacterial, antifungal, and as an antiviral agent.

• Rosemary is approved for dyspepsia, hypertension, alopecia, and rheumatism by the German Commission E.
• Rosemary is available under the following different brand names: Old Man, and Rosmarinus officinalis Linn.

Dosages of Rosemary

Rosemary Leaf (dyspepsia, high blood pressure, and rheumatism)

• 1-2 grams per day
• As a tea: 1-3 cups per day (steep 1-2 grams in 150 ml water)

Extract

• 2-4 ml orally three times daily (1:1 in 45% alcohol)

Topical

• Essential oil: doses up to 0.1-1 ml (6-10% oil essential oil), massage scalp for 2 minutes

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• See "Dosages"

What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Rosemary?

Side effects of rosemary include:

• ingestion of large amounts can result in stomach and intestinal irritation and kidney damage
• seizures
• toxicity
• coma
• vomiting
• excess fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
• encourages menstrual bleeding
• may cause miscarriage

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

What Other Drugs Interact with Rosemary?

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Rosemary has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
• Rosemary has no known serious interactions with other drugs.
• Rosemary has no known moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Rosemary has no known mild interactions with other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or more information about this medicine.

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Rosemary?

Warnings

• Rosemary has convulsant/epileptogenic properties and may cause seizures. Rosemary may also cause allergic contact dermatitis, although not generally considered to be a human sensitizer
• This medication contains rosemary. Do not take Old Man or Rosmarinus officinalis Linn if you are allergic to rosemary or any ingredients contained in this drug
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of an overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Avoid use during pregnancy; amounts found in food are permissible

Effects of Drug Abuse

Ingestion of large quantities of rosemary may cause stomach and intestinal irritation, kidney damage, and/or toxicity.

Short-Term Effects

• Rosemary has convulsant/epileptogenic properties and may cause seizures. Rosemary may also cause allergic contact dermatitis, although not generally considered to be a human sensitizer
• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Rosemary?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Rosemary?"

Cautions

• Ingestion of large quantities of rosemary may cause stomach and intestinal irritation, kidney damage, and/or toxicity
• Increased risk of autoimmune disease
• Allergic contact dermatitis, although not generally considered to be a human sensitizer
• Rosemary has convulsant/epileptogenic properties and may cause seizures

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Avoid dosages of rosemary during pregnancy above those found in food as safety and efficacy is unknown.
• There is no available information on the effects of rosemary while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor.