Salvia rosmarinus Leaf Identity & Plant Part
The botanical entity is Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., formerly named Rosmarinus officinalis, an evergreen shrub of the mint family, Lamiaceae. The part used is the dried needle-like leaf. Stems, flowering tops and the steam-distilled oil are not added to this rosemary extract.
The older name Rosmarinus officinalis still appears in many specifications, so both names point to the same plant. Rosemary leaf contains phenolic diterpenes such as carnosic acid and carnosol, phenolic acids such as rosmarinic acid and a volatile oil. Ethanol extraction carries more of the diterpenes than water does, which is why the solvent is stated in the specification.












