Rose

A small prickly shrub growing to about 90 cm - 1.8 m high with flowers that have and exquisite fragrance. The flowers are picked very early in the morning for both distillation and solvent extraction.


Common Name:
Rose
Botanical Name:
Rosa damascena (Damask Rose)
Rosa centifolia (Cabbage Rose)
Family:
Rosaceae
Location:
North America, Europe, France, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Bulgaria.
Direction:
Planet:
Element:
Magical Effects:
Extraction:
Steam Distillation, Solvent
Parts Used:
Flowers
Color and Odor:
The essential oil is pale yellow to dark amber in color and has a sweet, rich, tenacious, spicy, floral aroma.
Background:
One of the oldest and best known of all perfumes. The rose is also the most loved, praised, sought-after and written about of all flowers. The history of rose otto is traditionally traced to the wedding of the Mogul Emperor Djihanguyr and Princess Nour Djihan in India. When rose petals were placed on the water of the canals surrounding the palace, it was noticed that a thing film of oil was left floating on the surface of the water. On closer examimation this substance was found to smell of roses. Distillation of rose otto apparently started shortly thereafter, both in India and also in neighboring Persia. In modern times the Indian and Persian rose otto production has declined and the modern production of rose otto is found centered around the Mediterranean. The amount of oil in the rose is so small that it requires 6000 roses to produce 30 ml of otto. Therefore rose oil is one of the most expensive of all perfume ingredients.
Properties:
Cleansing, tonic, soothing, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, choleretic.
Magical Influences:
Uses:
  • Digestive Sytem—Strengthens the stomach and promotes the flow of bile; useful in the treatment of jaundice.
  • Circulatory System—Tones the blood vessels, cleanses the blood, promotes circulation, relieves cardiac congestion and regulates the action of the heart. Good for anemia.
  • Reproductive Sytem—Cleanses the womb, regulates menstrual function; useful in the treatment of impotence and sterility. Eases premenstrual tension and painful periods.
  • Nervous System—Rose's soothing action on the nerves promotes sleep.
  • Skin—Useful for all skin types but particularly so for mature, dry or sensitive skin with redness or inflammation. Rose's tonic and astringent effects on capillaries helps to reduce thread veins. Rejuvenates and regenerates the skin.
  • Emotions—Rose is luxurious and erotically sensual. It provides emotional comfort in times of turbulence, enlivens the heart, boosts confidence and brings out ones deepest feelings, increasing affection and sexual desire. The scent calms strife and instils a feeling of peace and happiness, ensuring warm and happy associations. It soothes and calms hyperactive personalities who are ill at ease, unsettled, unsure or unhappy with themselves or who feel a sense of guilt, jealousy, grief and resentment.
Blends:
DIGESTIVE CIRCULATORY REPRODUCTIVE
Rose 5 Rose 6 Rose 6
Orange 4 Rosemary 2 Sandalwood 5
Peppermint 2 Melissa 2 Geranium 2

NERVOUS SKIN EMOTION
Rose 6 Rose 3 Rose 5
Chamomile (R) 2 Lavender 2 Mandarin 4
Frankincense 2 Patchouli 2 Cedarwood 2
Bibliography:
Aromatherapy Blends and Remedies by Franzesca Watson Copyright ©: 1995 Thorsons, Harper Collins Publishers, Inc. pp.156-159