Given my name I hold a deep personal connection with the rose. As a flower it is a symbol of love and romance and is featured in many myths, stories and legends throughout history. It's thorny exterior protects the beautiful flowers and fragrance within. You may of heard the phrase, "there is no rose without thorns" which means to be able to experience beauty and pleasure, one must endure times of difficulty or pain. This is an apt reminder of life as we know it. When life throws challenges at us we must remember that there is a rose beyond the thorns, and better times ahead.
Beyond its symbolic meaning the essential oils extracted from Rosa damascena (the latin name for rose) has a large number medicinal properties. There are many varieties of roses, however damascus roses are the preferred variety as they have the strongest aroma and highest oil content. This is something you should look for when purchasing a rose essential oil.
Rose essential oil is considerably precious. In order make just 5ml of rose essential oil 12,000 rose petals (10kg worth!) are needed. If you see this oil being sold cheaply online or in-store you can be assured that it is not pure. It is also likely to contain synthetic fragrances, so be incredibly wary.
Chemically speaking it contains hundred of components, however it's most important constituents are citronellol, citral, carvone, citronellyl acetate, eugenol, ethanol, farnesol, stearpoten, methyl eugenol, nerol, nonanol, nonanal, phenylacetaldehyde, phenylmethyl acetate, and phenyl geraniol.
Medicinal Uses
Emotional
Rose is a wholesome and nuturing essential oil with strong sensual properties. Diffusing rose essential oil into a room can create an inspiring atmosphere and help to elevate spiritual experiences. Rose oil has been shown to help boost self-esteem, confidence, and mental strength and can help relieve anxiety and depression
Skin Health
Rose essential oil has been shown to increase skin permeability. It is therefore often added to skincare products, as it allows the other ingredients to penetrate more deeply. It also contains several antimicrobial compounds which make it particularly beneficial for individuals with acne. One study compared rose essential oil with 10 other oils and found that rose had the strongest effect against Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria responsible for acne) .
The recommended dilution is 0.25%. To achieve this add 8 drops of rose essential oil to 10ml (2 teaspoons) of carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil, almond oil or jojoba oil all work well due to their low scent). Then use cotton swab to dab the blend onto blemishes up to 3 times daily.
Libido
Due to rose's ability to reduce anxiety and stress it can help both men and women who are experiencing sexual dysfunction. Studies show that rose essential oil can help increase sexual desire and satisfaction in both genders. Its interaction with the serotonin receptors and ability to increase dopamine and norepinephrine are believed to be responsible for rose's effect on sexual experiences.
Rose combines nicely with sandalwood, jasmine and ylang ylang. It can be diffused within a room, added to massage oil or rubbed on the neck of both you and your loved one (make sure you dilute it first though). Next time your planning a romantic evening be sure to pull this beautiful oil out from the cupboard!
Rose is definitely a must have in every essential oil collection. It's such a wholesome oil which is full of substance and despite it's high price tag, and little bit goes a very long way. This is without a doubt one of my favourite oils.
With Love,
Rose
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