In this extensively referenced article we find the following under the heading "Essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties:"
“Rosemarinus officinalis CT borneol – Rosemary….rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid and apigenin are thought to produce the anti-inflammatory effect.” The quote for this reference is Mascolo N. et al (1987) “Biological screening of Italian Medicinal Plants for Anti-inflammatory activity” Phytotherapy Res. 1(1), 28-31.
Comment: This quote has been repeated many times by various Aromatherapy authors, but is in fact incorrect. Apigenin is a flavonoid, classes of compounds not found in essential oils. Rosmarinic acid is a phenolic acid, and ursolic acid is a triterpinic acid. Both of these compounds are not found in the essential oil either, but would be present in herbal extracts, and this is presumably where the confusion has arisen.
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