What it smells like
Green, resinous and slightly medicinal — the herb, concentrated. It is sharper than the plant in a garden and closer to pine than most people expect.
Three things to actually do with it
1. In roast potatoes and focaccia, by toothpick
The European label on this bottle permits food use at one drop per day. For a tray of potatoes, dip a cocktail stick and stir it through the oil before it goes on — not a drop, which will taste of pine. Add it to the oil, never to the water.
2. A scalp and hair oil at 1 %
Three drops in 10 ml of jojoba, worked through the ends rather than the roots, left an hour before washing. This is a cosmetic use and nothing more is claimed for it.
3. In the morning diffuser
One drop with three of lemon. Rosemary alone is heavy; citrus opens it up.
What it blends with
Citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus and basil. It belongs with the sharp, green oils rather than the sweet ones.
Getting the amount right
Food use is permitted in the European range at one drop per day, and one drop goes a very long way — the toothpick is the sensible unit. On skin, 1 %. Not photosensitising.
Rosemary is a strong oil; it is not one to use liberally on children, and pregnancy is a good reason to ask a midwife first rather than to read a blog. Full safety notes.
Questions people ask
Can I use it instead of fresh rosemary?
Only within the daily limit, and only in fat — it will not distribute through a stock or a soup. Fresh or dried herb is usually the better cooking choice; the oil is for when you want the aroma without the needles.
Which chemotype is it?
Rosemary is sold in several chemotypes that smell and behave differently. The label is what tells you.
Does it help hair grow?
Not a claim this site will make. It is used cosmetically in hair oils; that is as far as it goes here.