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Rosamox (rosemary-based antioxidant)

Rosmarinus officinalis L. (syn. Salvia rosmarinus)
Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Rosamox is a branded rosemary leaf extract marketed by Kemin Industries as a natural antioxidant for foods, cosmetics, and personal-care products rather than as a clinically positioned dietary supplement. It is derived from non-GMO rosemary cultivars selected to provide consistent levels of carnosic acid and carnosol, the two diterpenes that account for the majority of rosemary's antioxidant activity, and is obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction. As an ingredient it is most commonly used to delay lipid oxidation in oils, sauces, meats, and topical formulations, with positioning as a clean-label alternative to synthetic antioxidants such as BHT and tocopheryl acetate. Clinical research on rosemary diterpenes is mostly preclinical and food-science focused, so this entry should be read as an ingredient profile rather than a clinical supplement with its own trial base; broader clinical evidence on rosemary extract sits with separate Rosmarinus officinalis entries.

Studied Dose Typically low single-digit mg per serving as a food/cosmetic antioxidant; no validated human supplement dose.
Active Compound Carnosic acid and carnosol diterpenes from Rosmarinus officinalis leaves, plus rosmarinic acid and minor flavonoids.

Benefits

Helps preserve product freshness and antioxidant capacity

As a rosemary-based natural antioxidant, this ingredient helps protect lipid-rich foods and personal-care products against oxidative rancidity, supporting freshness and label-claim antioxidant activity in finished products that include it as an excipient.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Supplies food-grade rosemary diterpenes

The extract supplies standardized carnosic acid and carnosol from rosemary in a form designed for consistent dosing in foods and topical products, contributing to overall dietary intake of plant antioxidants when present in everyday consumer goods.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Supports a clean-label antioxidant approach

As a natural-source antioxidant from rosemary leaves, this ingredient is widely used as a clean-label alternative to synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene, helping manufacturers maintain antioxidant performance while avoiding more controversial additives.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Provides general antioxidant support consistent with rosemary

Rosemary diterpenes have a long history of dietary use and contribute to overall antioxidant support when consumed regularly through culinary rosemary, rosemary extracts, and finished products preserved with rosemary-based ingredients.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Chemical quenching by carnosic acid

Under oxidative stress, carnosic acid is consumed and oxidized into multiple derivatives, including carnosol, acting as a chemical quencher of reactive oxygen species and an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation in oils and biological membranes.

2

Direct radical scavenging by carnosol

Carnosol resists ROS-driven oxidation but inhibits lipid peroxidation through direct interaction with the oxidation process, providing complementary antioxidant chemistry alongside carnosic acid in rosemary diterpene mixtures.

3

Synergistic phenolic antioxidant activity

Carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid together provide a broad antioxidant capacity across hydrophilic and lipophilic environments, helping protect both bulk oils and oil-in-water emulsions common in foods and cosmetics.

Clinical trials

1
Antioxidant chemistry of carnosic acid and carnosol

Mechanistic biochemistry study comparing antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties of carnosol and carnosic acid in microsomal and liposomal lipid systems (Aruoma et al., Xenobiotica).

In vitro lipid peroxidation systems.

Carnosol and carnosic acid potently inhibited lipid peroxidation in microsomal and liposomal systems, outperforming propyl gallate in some assays, while showing distinct chemistry under different oxidative conditions. Provides foundational support for rosemary diterpenes as antioxidants in foods and cosmetics.

2
Distinct mechanisms of carnosic acid and carnosol

In vitro study comparing how carnosic acid and carnosol behave under ROS- and non-ROS-driven lipid oxidation (Loussouarn et al., Plant Physiology / Free Radical Biology Med.).

Lipid oxidation models with and without ROS generation.

Carnosic acid was consumed and oxidized into derivatives including carnosol under ROS conditions, supporting its role as a chemical ROS quencher, while carnosol inhibited lipid peroxidation directly under non-ROS conditions. Confirms complementary antioxidant mechanisms underlying rosemary diterpene blends.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally regarded as safe at culinary and label-claim antioxidant levels.
Allergic-type reactions to rosemary (Lamiaceae family) can occur in sensitive individuals.
Concentrated rosemary extracts may cause stomach upset at higher intakes.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety of high-dose extracts is not well established.
Topical use can rarely cause skin irritation in those with rosemary sensitivity.

Important Drug interactions

May influence cytochrome P450 enzyme activity at high concentrated rosemary extract doses.
Theoretical interaction with anticoagulants such as warfarin via flavonoids and rosmarinic acid.
Antidiabetic medications: rosemary diterpenes may modestly influence glucose handling; monitor.
Iron and other mineral absorption can be affected by high-polyphenol intakes.

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Frequently asked questions about Rosamox (rosemary-based antioxidant)

What is Rosamox?

Rosamox is a branded rosemary leaf extract marketed by Kemin Industries as a natural antioxidant for foods, cosmetics, and personal-care products rather than as a clinically positioned dietary supplement.

What is Rosamox used for?

Rosamox is researched primarily for Antioxidant, Hair, Skin & Nails, and Longevity. As a rosemary-based natural antioxidant, this ingredient helps protect lipid-rich foods and personal-care products against oxidative rancidity, supporting freshness and label-claim antioxidant activity in finished products that include it a…

What is the recommended dosage of Rosamox?

The clinically studied dose is Typically low single-digit mg per serving as a food/cosmetic antioxidant; no validated human supplement dose. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Rosamox safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Rosamox is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally regarded as safe at culinary and label-claim antioxidant levels. Allergic-type reactions to rosemary (Lamiaceae family) can occur in sensitive individuals. It may also interact with some medications. Rosamox is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Rosamox interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: May influence cytochrome P450 enzyme activity at high concentrated rosemary extract doses. Theoretical interaction with anticoagulants such as warfarin via flavonoids and rosmarinic acid. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Rosamox?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Rosamox as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 2 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(2 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Aruoma OI, Halliwell B, Aeschbach R, Löligers J. Antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties of active rosemary constituents: carnosol and carnosic acid. Xenobiotica. 1992;Xenobiotica. 1992 Feb;22(2):257-68..PubMedUsed to support: Foundational chemistry study showing carnosol and carnosic acid potently inhibit lipid peroxidation in microsomal and liposomal systems.
  2. Loussouarn M, Krieger-Liszkay A, Svilar L, Bily A, Birtić S, Havaux M. Carnosic Acid and Carnosol, Two Major Antioxidants of Rosemary, Act through Different Mechanisms. Plant Physiology. 2017;Plant Physiol. 2017 Nov;175(3):1381-1394..PubMedUsed to support: Mechanistic study demonstrating that carnosic acid acts as a ROS quencher while carnosol inhibits lipid peroxidation through a complementary non-ROS mechanism.