Throughout history the rose has been loved and won the hearts of many people. It is believed that the origin of the rose was Central Asia. Gradually roses began spreading across the world from China to India, Kashmir and Persia. From Asia the rose entered into Ancient Greece and from there to Egypt and Rome.
HISTORY
It is recorded, that in the thirteenth century, Thibaut IV, Count of Champagne, brought back a Terry Rose to his castle near Paris. During the years that followed, the cultivation of roses was a passion for the French, particularly of the town of Rouen. The development and breeding of the rose rapidly spread to the British Isle, throughout Western Europe, America and Australia.
Rose Water has been used in many cultures around the world for thousands of years. A Persian scientist by the name of Avicenna is credited with the invention of the process for extracting rose water from rose petals. It is believed the distillation of roses for the oil was originated in the late tenth century. Persia and Arabia began extracting rose oil in the eighteenth century. Currently the center for production of rose oil in the world is in Bulgaria near the town of Kazanluk. It is also produced in France, Italy, Germany, the Crimea, Turkey, Morocco and Moldova.
One of the brightest impressions in my life was the Rose Festival in Germany. There were life size parade floats, beautifully decorated, with buds and blooms of colorful roses and the air was filled with the wonderful fragrance of roses. The most significant rose parade in the US is the Tournament of Roses Parade held each January in Pasadena, California.
PROPERTIES AND USAGE
The best time to pick roses is immediately after blooming and before sunrise. At this point they contain the highest amount of essential substances. Appearance, aroma, and effects may differ depending on the country of origin and the nature of the climate in the year of production. In the world markets there are two types of oils, Rose Absolute and Essential Rose Oil or Rose Otto. Production technology of rose oil in Germany is a bit more complicated. The quality is considered better than Bulgarian. Rose oil contains about 300 components. It takes 100 kg of rose petals to get 0.5 kg of essential oil which makes the natural oil very expensive and not always available. Five ml of pure essential oil cost from twelve to fifteen dollars.
Table of Properties and Usage of Rose Essential Oil.
| Oil name | Rose absolute essential oil | Rose essential oil or Rose Otto essential oil |
|---|---|---|
| Latin name | Extraction is conducted with solvents or by means of carbon dioxide | Extraction is done through steam |
| Production | Viscous oil from orangish to brownish color | Viscous oil from pale yellow to medium olive green |
| Scent | Rich, sweet, roses, spicy, strong | Rich, floral, rose, fresh |
| Volatility | Low | |
| The main property | Stabilizer of emotions | |
| Effect on the mental condition | Stimulant of average degree Adaptogen of low degree Relaxing of average degree |
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| Aroma diagnostic description | Emotional lability, anxiety, fatigue, post-stress reactions, lack of confidence | |
| Impact | General: relaxing Body: soothing Mind: soothing Spirit: encouraging |
General: balancing Body: anti-aging Mind: inspirational Spirit: stabilizing |
| The main element | Fire | |
| Energy | Cool and damp | |
| Zodiac Sign/Planet | Taurus/Venus | |
| Enhances | The aura, chakras, love, libido, sensuality, sexuality, happiness, satisfaction, openness of the heart | |
| Improves | Inner vision, clairvoyance, relationships, meditative state | |
| Brings to life | Harmony, comfort, calmness, purity, patience, luck and joy | |
| Relieve | Feeling grief, guilt | |
| You can mix | With most other oils: bergamot, chamomile, geranium, cinnamon, lavender, sage, ylang-ilang, lemon, Jasmine, sandalwood and others. This is one of the most rewarding of oils in blends. | |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic | |
| Is it possible to use inside? | You can, but only oil prepared by distillation with steam | |
| Contraindications | 1. Individual intolerance to the smell. 2. Cannot be used in early pregnancy (about 4 months; it is best to consult with your doctor or aromatherapist). 3. Cannot be used in the treatment of biochemistry. 4. It is not recommended to use together with the taking of homeopathic medicines. |
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The therapeutic properties of rose oil are: antidepressant, sedative, relieves anxiety and regulates emotional background, relieves headache and clarifies the thinking system, antiseptic, antispasmodic, analgesic, wound healing, tones up and cleanses the skin, improves elasticity and firmness of the skin, eliminates inflammation, irritation and flaking of the skin, bactericide and anti-virus, hypotensive, regulates heart arrhythmia, diuretic and astringent, aphrodisiac and relieves allergic reactions.
Rose oil is used for: the care of aging skin, skin tone, stretch marks, care for dry, sensitive or flaky skin, depression, apathy, headache, insomnia, stress, nervous tension, irritability, external and internal infections (pulpitis, flu, sore throat, conjunctivitis, etc.), burns, circulatory problems, varicose veins, increased pressure, arrhythmia, stomach ulcers caused by nerves, liver disease, constipation, nausea, infertility, irregular menstruation, and frigidity.
MEDICINE
Early medical practitioners used distilled rose water, rose oil and rose confection paste for the sick. The oldest preparations of roses was rose water and ointment. The first written source about it dates back to the fourteenth century. For example, a mixture of rose oil with vinegar was used for disinfecting and treating open wounds.
Rose water is very effective in soothing tired, fatigued eyes and for the treatment of diseases of the eye. It is also very effective in subduing symptoms related to conjunctivitis (pink eye). Washing the eyes several times a day, prepared with a warm rose water solution, will help provide relief.
Rose oil is also used in dentistry. Introduced into the cavity of the caries tooth, it will relieve pain for 3 to 4 hours. Rose water is used for the treatment of periodontal disease. It helps to strengthen, helps with bleeding gums and bad breath. There is a paste made with essential rose oil for the treatment of pulpitis. Introducing it into the cavity of carious teeth, the bacteria are destroyed within 5 minutes. I particularly like to use rose water to rinse my mouth after brushing my teeth.
The use of rose oil is an excellent adjuvant in treatment of bronchitis, catarrh, laryngitis, sore throat and tonsillitis. For inhalation use 6-10 drops of oil to the device for inhalation or in a bowl with hot water. For rinsing you can use the following recipe: use 2-3 drops of rose oil in a glass of warm water and gargle 4-5 times a day.
Rose oil acts directly on the central nervous system. It has a calming effect on the nervous system and the emotional and psychological state of mind. It is considered a mild sedative agent and antidepressant. Rose oil can help relieve stress. It also eases feelings of fear, anger, jealousy and suspicion. You can take 2-3 drops of rose oil in 1 teaspoon of honey or herbal tea.
The use of rose oil in aromatherapy provides a potentially effective treatment for a range of psychiatric disorders. In ancient psychiatry rose oil was used to determine the psychological state of a patient. By placing clean rose oil on the inside area of the wrist and wait 30 minutes, the scent would change depending on the mental state of the person. In the hysterical and psychopathic person the odor would become sour smelling. Patients with strong character and resilience would acquire the aroma of a tart scent. In others, when the oil changes rapidly and are romantic, they will have the aroma of candid rose.
BODY, SKIN, AND HAIR CARE
Rose essential oil is widely used in cosmetics, perfumes, creams, hand lotions and shampoos. Due to the high cost of producing pure oil some dealers will dilute rose oil with geranium or palmarosa essential oil to extend the rose fragrance and sell at a reduced price. When preparing your own emulsions at home it is recommended that you buy rose oil from a trustworthy source.
Rose tonic is very efficient to use for wiping the face, the skin around the eyes and neck morning and evening. When used as an antiseptic it tones the skin making it firmer and more elastic and smooths wrinkles (especially around the eyes). Pure rose oil, in a mix of equal portions with vegetable oil, can be used for cold sore or scars. You can also add rose oil to different basis as a carrier for massage, lotions and tonics for skin care of the face or body, shampoos and conditioners for hair care. Add the oil to the base and mix well. Before use shake mixture thoroughly to insure quality of the emulsion.
General information about the amount of oil for different methods of application of aromatherapy are given in the article “AROMATHERAPY APPLICATION METHODS’ GUIDE” . In this article I will give some recommendations for using rose essential oil. For topically use (massage) mix 3-6 drops per 15 ml of vegetable oil (olive, corn, almond, etc.). For internal use mix 1-2 drops per teaspoon of honey 2 times a day. In the bathroom: 6-7 drops in 1 tablespoon emulsifier (milk, honey, sea or table salt). To enrich cosmetics mix 4 -5 drops in 10-15 ml of the base (cream, tonic, lotion, mouthwash, etc.)
HOME AND COOKING
Dried roses make a great potpourri for the home. Place in a basket or decorative bowl for a lingering scent. Rose petal sachets can add a delightful fragrance to your lingerie drawer, linen closet or just about any place in the home.
Rose oil is also used in cooking and as a flavoring agent for a variety of drinks. It has a very distinctive flavor and has been used by cooks from the Middle East, India and China as a flavoring agent for cakes and other pastries for centuries. It’s not unusual to find an Indian, Persian or Middle Eastern recipe calling for rose water as a flavoring ingredient. American chefs and home cooks also use rose water to add a wonderful aromatic note to both sweet and savory dishes.