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1 Herbal profile
1.1 Name
1.2 Latin name
1.3 Traditional uses
1.4 Scientifically proven effect(s)
1.5 Contraindications
1.6 When it is collected
1.7 which parts of the plant are used
1.8 How is it prepared
1.9 Trivia
2 Sanoanimal Herbal advice:
3 Sources

Herbal profile

Name

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) also traditionally known as bridal herb, wreath herb, or incense herb due to its historical use in weddings, garlands, and ritual incense.

Latin name

Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) according to the latest taxonomy, it belongs to the sage family (Salviaceae).

Traditional uses

Rosemary stimulates circulation, soothes heart rhythm disturbances, and raises blood pressure. It strengthens the digestive system, reduces bloating, supports the nerves, and is helpful for migraines, stress, restlessness, muscle tension, and abdominal cramps.

Scientifically proven effect(s)

Scientifically Proven Effects:
Rosemary has astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and toning properties.
It can be used for digestive issues and insulin resistance.
It contains essential oils, terpenes (such as camphor, eucalyptol, and others), phenols (including caffeine), thymol, verbanol, tannins and bitter substances, camphor, beta-sitosterol, flavones, salicylates, and saponins.

Contraindications

Do not feed to pregnant mares – may induce premature labour or miscarriage.

When it is collected

Flowers: during the flowering period in spring (March – April)
Leaves: can be harvested all year round, as rosemary is an evergreen plant

which parts of the plant are used

Flowers; the leaves can be fed directly, although they often need to be finely chopped and mixed in to ensure horses will eat them. The essential oil is also extracted from the leaves and stems.

How is it prepared

Leaves can be fed on their own or mixed into the feed. The essential oil (always diluted!) is used externally.
The leaves can also be prepared as an infusion (herbal tea).
Ointments for external use are also available.

Trivia

A plant commonly found in the Mediterranean region, rosemary is widely used in local cuisine as a herb. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans valued rosemary as a sacred plant symbolising both love and death, which is why it was used in both funerals and weddings. In antiquity, it was dedicated to Aphrodite and thus stood for love and beauty. Rosemary also appears in Shakespeare’s works – in its other role: as a plant of the dead. When planted near windows or burned in bundles as incense (hence the nickname “incense herb”), rosemary was believed to protect the home from evil spirits.

Sanoanimal Herbal advice:

Rosemary originates from the Mediterranean region, where it has long been valued as a culinary herb. Its name literally means “dew of the sea,” and it is now mainly cultivated in Spain, France, and the USA. However, this hardy and undemanding plant can also thrive in central European gardens or balcony boxes. In summer, its lovely flowers and wonderful scent—released when touched by the sun—are a real delight.

As early as ancient Egypt, rosemary was used to make ointments believed to protect against the heat, thanks to its refreshing (tonic) effect from essential oils. Monks brought rosemary north from the Mediterranean, and by the 16th century, it had made a name for itself as a healing herb. According to legend, an alcoholic distillate made from rosemary flowers—known as Aqua Reginae Hungariae (Hungarian Queen’s Water)—restored the youth and beauty of Queen Isabella of Hungary at the age of 72, to such an extent that the King of Poland proposed to her. Of course, the idea of forging political ties between Poland and Hungary may also have played a role.

Rosemary, like its close relatives sage, thyme, and lavender, has an intense aroma that is released even when the leaves are gently rubbed.

Like many herbs rich in essential oils, rosemary has attracted the attention of scientific researchers. Today, we know quite a bit about its effects on human metabolism. In addition to its use in cosmetics, rosemary is considered one of the most promising medicinal herbs in human healthcare, thanks to its wide range of natural active compounds. It is being studied for its potential benefits in treating conditions as diverse as insulin resistance, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s.

The essential oil is used externally (always diluted with a neutral carrier oil) and is said to have a tonic, revitalising effect on tired muscles. Rosemary also possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. For this reason, the essential oil may be applied externally to treat skin infections such as fungal issues—but again, always diluted first. Rosemary has even shown effectiveness against stubborn or resistant pathogens. However, when used topically, it should never be applied over large areas right away. Some horses may react with hypersensitivity. It is therefore essential to test a small patch of healthy skin first to see how the horse responds.

When fed, rosemary has several effects on the digestive tract: it has antispasmodic properties and, due to its antibacterial and antifungal effects, helps counteract dysbiosis in the digestive system. This makes it particularly suitable for horses with hindgut digestive disturbances such as bloating, diarrhoea or loose droppings. Horses that are prone to stomach gas build-up and consequent “burping” after turnout (not to be confused with cribbing) can also benefit from its effects. A herbal blend that combines rosemary with thyme and oregano—both of which also have antimicrobial properties—is especially effective in these cases.

Okapi Intestinal Support herbs contain rosemary, thyme, oregano, and other important herbs.
Herbal blends such as Okapi Intestinal Support Herbs contain not only rosemary but also thyme and oregano, and can support horses with digestive issues.
© Okapi

Horses prone to stress-related colic or other symptoms of stress can also benefit from a course of rosemary, as the herb has a calming and restorative effect on the nervous system. Older horses, in particular, benefit from the salicylates contained in rosemary. These have a blood-thinning effect and help improve circulation in the limbs. In addition, rosemary supports the often weakened heart of elderly horses and helps stabilise blood pressure.

Rosemary’s effects are particularly interesting when it comes to our beloved overweight ponies. In many of these cases, excess weight is accompanied by insulin resistance, which impairs the body’s ability to properly regulate blood sugar levels after eating. The active compounds in rosemary have been shown to improve the response to insulin signals, helping to bring blood sugar back under control. This not only reduces the risk of laminitis (which can be triggered by high blood sugar levels), but also supports a return to a healthy weight—when combined with appropriate nutrition and exercise management. For optimal effect in this context, rosemary should be used as a fresh plant, not dried.

As we can see, rosemary is one of the true all-rounders in phytotherapy, and every horse owner should ideally have a thriving bush close at hand—whether planted in their own garden, at the yard, or, if necessary, in a balcony box or on the kitchen windowsill.

A proven dosage is up to 30 g of dried or 50 g of fresh rosemary leaves per day over a period of four to six weeks (ponies should receive about half that amount).

But caution: rosemary should not be fed to pregnant mares! In addition, there should be a 48-hour withdrawal period before competition, as some of its active compounds are listed as prohibited substances under doping regulations.

Sources

  • Fritz, Dr. C., Maleh, S. (2020): Zivilisationskrankheiten des Pferdes – ganzheitliche Behandlung chronischer Krankheiten. Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart. 2.updated edition.
  • Korz, N. und Müller, A-K. (2020): Der Kräuterguide für Pferde.
  • Lamprecht, S. (2020): Die Heilkraft der Natur – Tolles Wissen über die natürlichen Heilmethoden und Omas Hausmittel. garant Verlag GmbH.
  • González-Minero, F. J., Bravo-Díaz, L., & Ayala-Gómez, A. (2020). Rosmarinus officinalis L.(Rosemary): An ancient plant with uses in personal healthcare and cosmetics. Cosmetics, 7(4), 77.
  • Luqman, S., Dwivedi, G. R., Darokar, M. P., Kalra, A., & Khanuja, S. P. (2007). Potential of rosemary oil to be used in drug-resistant infections. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, 13(5).
  • Al-Sereiti, M. R., Abu-Amer, K. M., & Sena, P. (1999). Pharmacology of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Linn.) and its therapeutic potentials.
  • Habtemariam, S. (2016). The therapeutic potential of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) diterpenes for Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016.
  • Gad, A. S., & Sayd, A. F. (2015). Antioxidant properties of rosemary and its potential uses as natural antioxidant in dairy products—A review. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 6(01), 179.
  • De Macedo, L. M., Santos, É. M. D., Militão, L., Tundisi, L. L., Ataide, J. A., Souto, E. B., & Mazzola, P. G. (2020). Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L., syn Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.) and its topical applications: A review. Plants, 9(5), 651.
  • Satoh, T., Trudler, D., Oh, C. K., & Lipton, S. A. (2022). Potential therapeutic use of the rosemary diterpene carnosic acid for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and long-COVID through NRF2 activation to counteract the NLRP3 inflammasome. Antioxidants, 11(1), 124.
  • Rahbardar, M. G., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2020). Therapeutic effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and its active constituents on nervous system disorders. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences, 23(9), 1100.
  • Moore, J., Yousef, M., & Tsiani, E. (2016). Anticancer effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract and rosemary extract polyphenols. Nutrients, 8(11), 731.
  • De Oliveira, J. R., Camargo, S. E. A., & De Oliveira, L. D. (2019). Rosmarinus officinalis L.(rosemary) as therapeutic and prophylactic agent. Journal of biomedical science, 26(1), 1-22.
  • Aziz, E., Batool, R., Akhtar, W., Shahzad, T., Malik, A., Shah, M. A., … & Thiruvengadam, M. (2022). Rosemary species: A review of phytochemicals, bioactivities and industrial applications. South African Journal of Botany, 151, 3-18.
  • Nieto, G., Ros, G., & Castillo, J. (2018). Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis, L.): A review. Medicines, 5(3), 98.
  • Hassani, F. V., Shirani, K., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2016). Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) as a potential therapeutic plant in metabolic syndrome: a review. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s archives of pharmacology, 389, 931-949.
  • Bao, T. Q., Li, Y., Qu, C., Zheng, Z. G., Yang, H., & Li, P. (2020). Antidiabetic effects and mechanisms of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and its phenolic components. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 48(06), 1353-1368.
  • Naimi, M., Vlavcheski, F., Shamshoum, H., & Tsiani, E. (2017). Rosemary extract as a potential anti-hyperglycemic agent: Current evidence and future perspectives. Nutrients, 9(9), 968.
  • Sedighi, R., Zhao, Y., Yerke, A., & Sang, S. (2015). Preventive and protective properties of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) in obesity and diabetes mellitus of metabolic disorders: a brief review. Current Opinion in Food Science, 2, 58-70.
  • Erkan, İ. E., & Aşcı, Ö. A. (2020). Studies on Antimicrobial, Antifungal and Antioxidant Properties of Rosemary: A Review. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, 8(12), 2708-2715.

Further herbal advice can be found here: Sanoanimal herbal advice for horse feeding

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