Hi Winnie and lactnetters,
Regarding the question about "rosemary oil", it is important to get
clarification on just what mom has in mind. Rosemary leaf infusion oil OR
rosemary essential oil?  External or internal? If internal use of the
essential oil is being contemplated, how much?

Rosemary essential oil has a use for dysmenorrhea (painful menses) among
many other uses. According to Julie Lawless' succinct summary of safety
data: "non-toxic, non-irritant ( in dilution only), non-sensitizing. Avoid
during Pregnancy. Not to be used by epileptics. Contra-indicated in cases of
high blood pressure." ( from The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Essential
Oils) This information does NOT apply to internal use.

German Commission E approved use of rosemary leaf ( at least 1.2% essential
oil content) for dyspepsia (internal) or externally as support for rheumatic
disease and circulatory problems. ( they list no contraindications, no known
side effects, no known drug interactions). They list the daily dose of the
essential oil as 10-20 drops. However, in my English edition (Blumenthal et
al.) of the monograph, the editors note that "The essential oil dosage
appears excessive and possibly unsafe. A more reasonable dosage for internal
use would be 2 drops (1 ml.)".

According to Jim Duke ( Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, 2nd ed.), excessive
doses of the essential oil can irritate the GI, kidneys, skin and stomach.

Lactation impact: that's a very good question and would not want to guess at
the effects of the combination of EO components on let-down, synthesis, etc.
Rosemary is not known as a galactogogue. Remember the old rhyme about
parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme?  We know parsley and sage are widely
used as anti-galactogogues; thyme and rosemary we know less about (anyone
with more?). Rosemarinic acid, which is a significant component of the whole
leaf or rosemary and thyme, has the potential for
anti-thyroid/anti-prolactin effects. At least some studies done with
bugleweed (Lycopus spp.) demonstrated this. Bugleweed contains significant
amounts of rosmarinic acid as well, and has been used to treat thyroid
conditions. However, rosemarinic acid does not appear to be a component of
rosemary essential oil, at least from what information I have here.

Regards,
Sheila Humphrey
BSc RN IBCLC
Marine on St. Croix MN

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