In this work Rosmarinus officinalis L. grown in Syria was studied. The
general characteristics of the whole plant, as well as the leaves and the flowers
were determined. It was shown that there are two varieties of Rosmarinus one
having violet flo
wers and the other having white flowers. The two varieties
were compared morphologically and they were in accord with what was
mentioned in the literature.
The two varieties were also compared chemically and it was possible to
explain the differences mentioned in the literature by differences in the
composition of the volatile oil.
The chemical study of the drug shows the quantity as well as the percentage
of its constituents. At last the main substitute of the drug used in Syria was
shown and compared with the main drug. It was shown that the composition of
the volatile oil of the substitute is different from the composition of the volatile
oil of Rosmarinus, thus it can not be used for the same purpose.
