This medicinal botanical soothes mucocutaneous tissue leading to its formulation into cosmeceuticals. It also has antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. Rosemary applied topically inhibited chemically induced murine epithelial tumors. The active components include flavonoids, triterpenes such as ursolic acid, diterpenes including carnosolic acid, and volatile oils in addition to caffeic and rosmarinic acids.
This herb is contraindicated in pregnancy and has a mild risk of sensitization (3).