Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary or dew of the sea, is an aromatic herb with needle-like leaves, and a member of the mint family. It grows throughout the Mediterranean and temperate regions but especially close to the sea. The genus name Rosmarinus comes from the Latin ‘ros’ meaning dew and marinus meaning sea; hence the name dew of the sea. Rosemary was called by Shakespeare ‘the herb of remembrance’ and was a popular ceremonial herb used at funerals and weddings throughout Europe. Rosemary is grown as a potherb, having been used in culinary gardens for centuries. In Western Herbal Medicine, rosemary is used as an anti-depressant, anti-spasmodic, anti-septic, anti-bacterial, and to promote circulation. It is used to treat migraine, ease stomach upsets, and as a cold and flu remedy. Rosemary is often used topically in hair preparations to treat baldness and to add shine to dark hair. The essential oil of rosemary is used in aromatherapy.

In many studies, it is revealed that R. officinalis leaves contain various bio-active compounds effective for the anti-oxidant effect. The most well-known compounds are carnosic acid and carnosol, and above these compounds, phenolic diterpenes and triterpene acids are abundant in rosemary leaves. Another study showed the potential for the hair growth effect of rosemary leaf extract.