Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil suppliers and sourcing guide
Rosemary oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis (now also classified as Salvia rosmarinus), mainly in Spain, Morocco and Tunisia. Oils are traded by chemotype, such as cineole-rich North African oil and camphor-rich Spanish oil. It is used in fragrance, cosmetics and as a flavor. It is a different product from rosemary extract, the carnosic-acid-standardized extract used to slow oxidation of fats.
- Also known as
- Rosmarinus officinalis oil · Salvia rosmarinus oil · Rosemary leaf oil · CAS 8000-25-7
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of rosemary oil
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Cineole type
Oil high in 1,8-cineole, typical of Moroccan and Tunisian origin.
Camphor type
Oil higher in camphor and alpha-pinene, typical of Spanish origin.
Verbenone type
A less common chemotype used mainly in aromatherapy and cosmetics.
Organic
Certified organic rosemary oil, widely offered.
Rectified
Redistilled oil with lighter odor and color.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- GC profile
- Gas chromatography of 1,8-cineole, camphor, alpha-pinene, borneol and bornyl acetate against the specification for the stated chemotype.
- Physical constants
- Specific gravity, refractive index and optical rotation at a stated temperature, compared with the supplier's specification or the Food Chemicals Codex monograph where one exists.
- Chemotype markers
- 1,8-Cineole, camphor, alpha-pinene and borneol percentages, which identify the chemotype.
- Appearance and odor
- Color, clarity and odor against a retained standard; off-notes often show up before the GC profile shifts.
- Heavy metals
- Lead and arsenic, typically by ICP-MS, against the supplier's specification.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep the oil in full, tightly closed amber glass, aluminum or lined steel containers, cool and out of light; headspace air oxidizes terpenes and dulls the odor. Blanket partly used drums with nitrogen where possible. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older stock is usually retested for odor, peroxide value and GC profile before use.
Lots and expiry dates
Composition depends on chemotype, origin and harvest, so oils from different countries are not interchangeable. Record origin, chemotype and GC profile per lot.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.20 lists rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists rosemary oil (CAS 8000-25-7) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Rosemary oil suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking rosemary oil suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell rosemary oil? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of rosemary oil can brands buy?
Common forms include cineole type, camphor type, verbenone type, organic and rectified. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for rosemary oil include?
Expect gC profile, physical constants, chemotype markers, appearance and odor and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should rosemary oil be stored?
Keep the oil in full, tightly closed amber glass, aluminum or lined steel containers, cool and out of light; headspace air oxidizes terpenes and dulls the odor. Blanket partly used drums with nitrogen where possible. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older stock is usually retested for odor, peroxide value and GC profile before use.
What is the regulatory status of rosemary oil?
21 CFR 182.20 lists rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists rosemary oil (CAS 8000-25-7) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20.
More flavors, spices and essential oils
- Vanilla extractExtract of vanilla · Pure vanilla extract
- Vanilla beansVanilla planifolia · Vanilla tahitensis
- Vanillin4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde · Vanillic aldehyde
- Ethyl vanillin3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde · Bourbonal
- Natural flavorsNatural flavoring · Natural flavour
- Artificial flavorsArtificial flavoring · Synthetic flavors
- CinnamonCinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) · Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cassia)
- NutmegMyristica fragrans · Nutmeg seed
- CloveSyzygium aromaticum · Eugenia caryophyllata
- CardamomElettaria cardamomum · Green cardamom
- Black pepperPiper nigrum · Peppercorns
- Cayenne pepperCapsicum annuum · Capsicum frutescens
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