Essential Rose Oil

Roses, with their sweet, exquisite fragrance, are considered by many to be the most beautiful flowers in the world. My favorite of all the essential oils is rose oil. Essential rose oil is extracted from the petals of various types of roses, with the damask rose and the cabbage rose being the two main species cultivated for the production of the oil. Bulgaria produces most of the world's rose oil and the damask rose is widely cultivated there. Morocco, Turkey and Iran also produce notable amounts of rose oil.

Essential rose oil comes either as rose otto or rose absolute. Rose otto is extracted through steam distillation, while rose absolute is obtained through solvent extraction or supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Of all the essential oils, rose oils, especially rose absolute, are the most commonly used in perfumery. Essential rose oil is now often added to skin care products. Rose oil is very expensive because of the labor-intensive production process and low content of oil in the rose blooms. Flowers are 

harvested by hand in the morning before sunrise and the material is distilled the same day.

Benefits of Essential Rose Oil.

Apart from a beautiful fragrance, essential rose oil provides many health benefits:

It is widely used in skin care as it moisturizes dry, chapped skin and can help scars to fade. It can reduce wrinkles and reverse the effects of ageing as well as make the skin healthy, fresh, soft and supple.

It also has astringent properties and gives strength and firmness to muscles and can contract muscles and blood vessels, which stops the flow of blood from wounds.

Being a rich source of vitamin C, it acts as an antioxidant and can help to purify the blood.

It is well-known as a wonderful oil for women as it regulates menstruation, purifies the uterus and reduces the symptoms of menopause.

It helps against diseases caused by bacteria such as typhoid, food poisoning and cholera, as well as infections on the skin. It can be topically applied to wounds to prevent infection.

It soothes the stomach, benefits the liver and bowels and can act as a laxative.

It has anti-spasmodic properties and can relieve spasms in the intestines and respiratory system as well as cramps and muscular spasms.

It is a nerve tonic and can be used in cases of shock.

It is often used as an anti-depressant. It helps build confidence and self-esteem and reduces anxiety.

It is often used in aromatherapy to generate positive thoughts, relaxation and happiness.

It reduces stress and sharpens memory.

It can calm a patient with a fever and generally helps to reduce inflammation, including in cases of gout, rheumatism and arthritis.It has also been effective in giving protection from viruses.

The scent of rose is an aphrodisiac and throughout history, the rose itself has had a long association with romance.

Risks of Essential Rose Oil.

Essential rose oil should be avoided during pregnancy due to the possibility that it could cause a miscarriage.It can be toxic if taken internally and it is important to mix it with a carrier oil, such as sweet almond or jojoba, before applying it to the skin.

Using Essential Rose Oil.

Rose oil is commonly mixed with a carrier oil and other aromatherapy oils and used in massage. A few drops of rose oil can also be added to skin creams and face masks. If the skin has been damaged by the sun, a few drops of rose oil, along with lavendar and chamomile oils can be added to jojoba oil and applied to the affected area. An effective skin toner can also be created by simply adding a 3 or 4 drops of rose oil to cold water and then splashing it over the face. Essential rose oil is often inhaled either by using an aromatherapy diffuser or by sprinkling a few drops onto a cloth. To relax in a luxurious manner at the end of a long day, mix some rose oil with a carrier oil and add to a bath.

Storing Rose Oil.

Essential oils in general should be packaged in dark-coloured glass to protect them from sunlight and they should never be left in direct sunlight.They should be stored in a cool, dark place and not subjected to too much temperature variation. Essential oils purchased in large bottles will last longer if transferred to a greater number of smaller bottles as there will be less air in the bottles and therefore, less oxidation.It is normally recommended to store essential oils at room temperature but in very hot climates, they can be stored in the refridgerator. If this is the case, it is important not to have the setting too cold. Rose otto oil is likely to solidify if kept in the fridge and will need to be warmed up before use. Keeping essential oils in an aromatherapy storage box is a good way to keep them all together.