Rosemary - its biologically active compounds and their pharmacological effects Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) has been used since ancient times for medicinal, cultic, and magic purposes. With the stress and diseases, it is increasingly popular today for many uses in both pharmacy and aromatherapy, as a spice in the kitchen and as a preservative. This plant has many interesting compounds (e.g. rosmarinic and carnosic acid, carnosol), which show a considerable amount of positive pharmacological effects.