People are burning rosemary in their homes this October, and I want to know what is driving the trend. While I grow rosemary in my backyard as a culinary herb — and love adding it to homemade focaccia — I don’t tend to use it in other ways.
It turns out that rosemary has many other benefits aside from being one of the best herbs to grow on your windowsill. In addition to enhancing your dishes in the kitchen, it can boost your health and well-being, as well as deter pests.
To learn more about the magical qualities of rosemary, I consulted with experts in wellness and pest control to uncover the reasons why burning rosemary is gaining popularity — especially in October.
Rosemary was used in ancient times
Burning rosemary in our homes might feel like a modern trend, but it has a long and sacred history. “In ancient Rome and Greece, rosemary was considered sacred and part of almost every religious ritual,” says spiritual coach Janet Rae Orth.
While the Greeks used it to purify the air and honor the gods, in France, rosemary was often hung on doors to ward off illness. Though times have changed, many still believe rosemary purifies the air and helps dispel negative energy.
This makes October the perfect time for rosemary rituals, as the seasonal transition invites us to reset our spaces — welcoming positive energy and wellness into our homes.
Burning rosemary in your home for health
Besides its pleasant, woody aroma, burning rosemary is believed to offer health benefits.
“Burning rosemary at home is considered beneficial for physical, mental and spiritual well-being because its smoke is believed to carry antibacterial and antifungal properties,” explains Dan Jackowiak, founder at Yeast Infection Advisor.
He adds that rosemary smoke can cleanse the air of certain airborne pollutants and improves air quality in your home. Though I’m not sure I’ll be swapping my best air purifier for burning rosemary at night, because of the fire hazard.
The herb is also linked to improving well-being. “Rosemary’s smoke is linked to reducing stress, anxiety and tension,” explains Jackowiak, and he adds, “Inhaling rosemary is also connected to boosting focus and concentration, as well as supporting respiratory health due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.”
Interestingly, rosemary’s calming effects may be tied to how it stimulates the vagus nerve — the key nerve connecting the brain, heart and digestive system.
“Burning rosemary can stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps balance stress responses, relaxation, and mood by modulating the autonomic nervous system. Its herbal aroma is uplifting and has been studied for neurological health benefits, including improved clarity and stress reduction in aromatherapy settings," explains Jackowiak.
Burning rosemary in your home to deter pests
Burning rosemary can also act as a natural pest deterrent, and is a welcome repellent that doesn’t cause harm.
Mihail Velev, pest control technician at Fantastic Pest Control, explains why burning rosemary is beneficial, “The smoke the herb produces contains natural compounds, which act as mild insect repellents,” and he adds, “These compounds help deter common household pests such as mosquitoes, flies and moths, which are sensitive to strong aromatic oils and tend to avoid areas where their scent lingers.”
The scent acts as a deterrent by interfering with their ability to locate food sources or breeding areas, thereby making the environment less attractive to them.
“These compounds help deter common household pests such as mosquitoes, flies and moths"
Mihail Velev, pest control technician at Fantastic Pest Control
Velev also notes, “Rosemary smoke can have a mild purifying effect on indoor air by reducing airborne bacteria, which indirectly discourages pests that thrive in less hygienic environments.”
Although he advises that burning rosemary alone won’t eliminate an infestation, it can be a practical complementary method for maintaining a pest-resistant atmosphere, especially when combined with good sanitation and sealing entry points.
How to burn rosemary safely
As with any open flame or smoldering herb, safety comes first, especially when lighting anything inside your home.
Here are the steps that Tony King, pest control expert at The Pied Piper, recommends following when burning rosemary in doors.
Use dried rosemary
To avoid any flaring when lighting rosemary, King says, “You must use thoroughly dried rosemary stems, since fresh stems contain too much water and will sputter or burn unevenly.”
Take a small bundle
King also suggests tying 5-10 dried stems in a bundle and securing them with natural cotton string, leaving the ends loose enough to fan out.
Use a safe container
Place the bundle in a fireproof dish, ceramic bowl, or small metal tray where the bundle can’t roll out.
Light the rosemary and let it smolder
Once you are set up, King says, “Light the top of the bundle until it burns, then carefully blow it out so that it will smolder and produce fragrant smoke.”
Where to place your rosemary
It’s also important to consider where you’re burning your rosemary. “Always burn it in a window or under a ventilation hood so that the smoke can safely escape,” says King.
He also adds that you should never leave it unattended.
Best placement for pest prevention
If your intention is to deter pests, Velev recommends placing your rosemary where insects commonly gather, such as near doorways, windows, and kitchen corners.
Safety precaution
While the rosemary is burning, King also recommends having a little glass of water nearby in case you need to smother the bundle.
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