Introduction: Raynaud's phenomenon is the earliest manifestation of systemic sclerosis. Nitroglycerin gel is the only proven topical therapy.
Methods: A 53-year-old woman with systemic sclerosis had topical Rosamarinus officinalis (rosemary) oil, often used in anthroposophic medicine, applied to her hands over 3days and then, separately, olive oil.
Results: Thermography images showed significant warming of fingers after rosemary oil, but not after olive oil, coinciding with the patient's subjective experience.
Conclusions: Topical Rosamarinus officinalis oil had a vasodilator and warming effect in a patient with systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon.
Keywords: Raynaud phenomenon; Rosmarinus officinalis; Scleroderma; Systemic sclerosis.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.