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Safety Issues
Although rosemary’s use as a food spice suggests a relatively low level of toxicity, rosemary has not undergone comprehensive safety testing. Rosemary essential oil can be toxic if taken even in fairly low doses, and the maximum safe dose is not known.
Based on its traditional use for abortion, as well as preliminary evidence showing embryotoxic effects, 1 rosemary should not be used by pregnant women or women who wish to become pregnant.
One study suggests that rosemary may have diuretic effects. 2 If it does, the herb could theoretically present risks in people taking the medication lithium . 3 Other weak evidence hints that rosemary may enhance the liver’s rate of deactivating estrogen in the body. 4 This suggests that rosemary might present risks for females, as well as anyone who uses medications containing estrogen.
Additionally, one study hints that rosemary might worsen blood sugar control in people with diabetes . 5
Interactions You Should Know About
If you are taking:
- Lithium : Use rosemary only with caution.
- Medications containing estrogen : Rosemary may decrease their effect.
References
- Lemonica IP, Damasceno DC, di-Stasi LC. Study of the embryotoxic effects of an extract of rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis L.). Braz J Med Biol Res. 1996;29:223-227.
- Haloui M, Louedec L, Michel JB, et al. Experimental diuretic effects of Rosmarinus officinalis and Centauriumerythraea. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;71:465-472.
- Pyevich D, Bogenschutz MP. Herbal diuretics and lithium toxicity. Am J Psychiatry. 158(8):1329.
- Zhu BT, Loder DP, Cai MX, Ho CT, Huang MT, Conney AH. Dietary administration of an extract from rosemary leaves enhances the liver microsomal metabolism of endogenous estrogens and decreases their uterotropic action in CD-1 mice. Carcinogenesis. 19(10):1821-7.
- al-Hader AA, Hasan ZA, Aqel MB. Hyperglycemic and insulin release inhibitory effects of Rosmarinusofficinalis. J Ethnopharmacol. 1994;43:217-221.
