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Like any other treatment, there can be certain side effects associated with the use of rosemary essential oil. Eating raw rosemary as part of a meal is safe, and you can ingest up to six grams of the leaf per day for medical purposes without worrying about side effects.
However, if you’re using concentrated rosemary extract, the rules change a little. Drinking undiluted rosemary oil can give rise to a range of health risks, including upset digestion, kidney damage, bleeding of the uterus, and even skin issues like sun sensitivity and increased redness.
Does rosemary oil interact with medications?
There are some interactions you should be aware of between rosemary and prescribed medical treatments. If you’re on anticoagulant drugs or ACE inhibitors, you should not use rosemary oil.
Rosemary essential oil can act as a diruetic. If you’re already on other diuretics, you should avoid rosemary, as it can magnify the effects to an unsafe extent. Also, if you’ve been prescribed lithium for depression, rosemary’s diuretic effect can increase the amount of lithium in your body to a dangerous level. You should therefore avoid it in this scenario as well.
If you have any doubts about whether you’ll be safe taking rosemary, it’s always best to seek medical advice.
Is rosemary oil safe for pregnancy?
There are many essential oils that you shouldn’t use while pregnant. This is because they can cause contractions, which increases your risk of miscarriage. Unfortunately, rosemary is one such essential oil; if you’re expecting a baby, you won’t be able to use it. It may also be unsafe during breastfeeding.
Other essential oils you should avoid while pregnant include clary sage and red thyme. You should refrain from using all essential oils during your first trimester, but experts say that you can start using the likes of lavender, sandalwood, and tea tree thereafter if you wish. These essential oil options can be very helpful in sleep aids during pregnancy. *
