As I look into my garden at home I still have beautiful rose’s in bloom, so thought I’d chose this iconic flower for this month’s featured oil.
The Queen of flowers, Rose symbolises love and femininity across many parts of the world. Traditionally associated with Venus, Aphrodite and the Holy Rose – Mother Mary, it’s the flower we give to others to celebrate love, whether it’s red roses for Valentine’s day or weddings, yellow roses for friendship or white roses for new births or spirituality. When I lived overseas for 12 years, whenever I came home to the UK to visit, my lovely Dad would always cut a rose from his garden and put it into my case to take back with me, made me cry and smile every time!
Rose – Latin name Rosa damascena
It is believed to be native to the Orient but has been widely cultivated in Turkey, Bulgaria, Morocco and the Middle East. The essential oil is extracted from fresh petals by steam distillation or solvent extraction to create an absolute. Its predominant chemical contents are alcohols; citronellol, geraniol and nerol, but its full chemistry is very complex, making it hard to reproduce effectively by synthetic means. This is why synthetic rose really isn’t a patch on the true scent of the essential oil. It is one of the most difficult and expensive oils to extract with a very low yield from the petals, it takes around 250,000 rose petals to make a teaspoon of the essential oil, so it is expensive to buy, but it is potent, bursting with scent and carries you off to somewhere beautiful! Rose symbolises unconditional love and has a very high frequency that helps to elevate brain rhythm frequencies, enhancing well-being and positivity.
Rose Essential Oil
Rose essential oil is an antidepressant, antiseptic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, choleretic, haemostatic sedative, and a tonic for the heart, liver, stomach and uterus.
Rose soothes the mind and helps with depression, anger, grief, loss, nervous tension and stress. It also is a known aphrodisiac, helping us explore our sexuality, self-esteem and self-nurturing.
It is most aids poor circulation and heart palpitations/arrhythmia as well as high blood pressure and is also used to boost the liver and gallbladder.
Rose Otto oil has a particular affinity with the female reproductive organs, with a clearing, regulating and purifying effect and can be used for regulating and balancing hormones, irregular menstruation, functional infertility, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, uterine bleeding and other uterine disorders, while having a general toning effect on the uterus.
On the skin it is an effective moisturiser, hydrating the skin while having a general stimulant and antiseptic action. It is good for all skin types, but especially so for dry, mature and irritated skin.
In perfumery, it is a middle note and a has a floral, spicy, aroma with a citrus, woody undertones. It is very popular in commercial perfumes including Chanel no. 5.
New Forest Aromatics Products that contain rose:
English Rose Bath Salts
English Flowers Room Fragrance
English Flowers Reed Diffuser
English Flowers Candle
It is also a keynote in the Urban Goddess Roller Scent I’ve recently created and now available on our website.
Please note: As with all essential oils – always dilute first before applying to the skin and consult a qualified aromatherapist if you are uncertain of how to use or dosage. If you have a specific allergy or contra-indications avoid use.
