The roses has been an enduring symbol of love and beauty throughout history. The flower itself is beautifully complex, with deep hues, luxuriant petals, and an Absolutely wonderful aroma. This same beauty is found in the aromatic oils made from rose flowers. Not only is the smell sweet, rich and distinctive, but it so happens that rose oil has the most diverse healing applications of any essential oil used in aromatherapy today. The oil is considered a supreme healer of both the body and soul, and it is very easy to use with basic natural healing techniques.
Now more than ever, in these challenging times around the world, the healing power of rose is most needed. It might even be considered that it’s anti-viral and beauty enhancing effects are minor when compared to the dramatic heart opening action this oil has. By opening the heart chakra, this natural medicine can help us both to give and receive more love. And depending on its application, it can also deal with illness and make us more beautiful. So what is true rose oil, and how can we make the best use of it?
Rose essential oil is a remarkable liquid. It’s really an incredible concentration of rose flowers: it takes an amazing amount of roses to make just a few drops. On average, under the most favorable conditions, the yield of rose oil is one kilogram for every 2,500 kilos of roses. it can take more than four times this amount of roses to make the same amount of oil if the weather has been less than favorable. Think of it: It can be hard to imagine even what 2,500 kilos (over 5,000 pounds) of roses looks like! And the oil itself is naturally a mixture of over a three hundred individual molecules, many of which have yet to be identified through scientific methods. It is this fantastic combination of extreme concentration combined with Mother Nature’s alchemy which imparts rose oil’s incredible healing value.
There are two distinct types of rose oil available, with significantly different properties. There is the “otto”, which is the steam distilled variety, and there is the “absolute”, a solvent extract getting its name from “absolute alcohol”, ethanol (yes, the kind some of us drink) with absolutely no water in it. Rose absolute has the distinct aroma of the rose flowers, deep and rich, with a natural red color. The absolute is produced primarily in two countries: Bulgaria and Morocco (some oils also come from Egypt, India and China, too). The Moroccan variety is a little higher note in aroma, with the Bulgarian often being deeper and richer. Otto, again the steam distilled oil, is completely different animal — the liquid is clear to a very pale yellow. It’s aroma varies depending on the country of origin; the source being typically Bulgarian or Turkish. The otto doesn’t smell like the flower exactly; it has its own unique aroma that’s brilliant, with nearly everyone that smells it uttering some exclamation of pleasant surprise.
Therapeutic applications of rose oil, as mentioned above, are many and very diverse. From a biological and physiological medicine aspect, rose otto is a strong antiviral. It has been successfully used in treating herpes and shingles outbreaks. Both the absolute and the otto is considered especially healing to the female reproductive system; it is noted to “have an astonishing effect on the female sexual organs as a purifying and regulating agent” (Battaglia, “The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy”). It can provide potent overall support to the health of the uterus, and can address infertility. For such applications, a 5% dilution can be made in Jojoba oil and massaged into the pelvic region several times daily (essential oils are quickly metabolized by the body, and it is best to use a little bit frequently, rather than a lot every so often).
The most common therapeutic application may be for healing the skin, as rose extracts are found in many of the world’s finest cosmetics. Rose otto can reduce inflammation, heal capillaries, hydrate and soften, and act as it an effective astringent and antiseptic. Including a 1% concentration in any skincare formula can vastly improve its beauty enhancing ability. Rose water (“leftover” from the distillation process) is an excellent beauty care preparation unto itself. The water, called ‘Rose hydrosol’ is often used with a cotton ball as a cleansing tonic for the face.
Perhaps the greatest potential of rose oil lies in its heart-opening action. Both the otto and absolutes have this effect, though the otto may be more dramatic. Users report just a drop on their wrists or solar plexus has a profound effect on their emotions, imparting a more open, friendly nature. Indeed, rose essential oil is one of the most important antidepressants in aromatherapy. Its sweet cooling nature works to counter anger and anxiety we see so often in our fast-paced culture. Rose alleviates “hot” conditions of the liver and gall bladder which can make a person irritable; the combination of energetic action on the center of our emotions and on the flow of mind-body-spirit (chi) energy make it the first choice for psycho-emotional aromatherapy for our times.
Using rose oils is very easy and uncomplicated. Both the otto and absolutes are very safe and non-irritating, and can be used at 100% concentrations without concern for anything but perhaps the cost. Pure rose oils are very strong aromatics, and can be significantly diluted and still retain all it’s therapeutic properties. A 10% dilution in Jojoba is very common, and a little bottle will go a long way for aromatic use. This can be massaged in small amounts into the wrists, solar plexus or pelvic region. Rose Otto can be used undiluted on herpes legions, but again, dilution would not reduce the efficacy (with many essential oils, dilution in fact enhances the efficacy). Either otto or absolute can be used in a diffuser, filling your space with a brilliant uplifting aroma. Rose oil can be added to bathwater, or used in a massage formula at between a .5 and 3% dilution as well.
The essential oils of rose are considered among the most transformative and aromatherapy, and effect which seems a natural evolution of Nature’s symbol of love and beauty. Mankind has developed the technological know-how to put the power of thousands upon thousands of roses in one tiny bottle, and transport it around the world almost instantly. It is Nature however, who developed this fantastic medicine millennium ago. If you’d like a little more beauty and love in your life, you might consider giving rose essential oils try.
The author utilizes pure aromatic botanicals for aromatherapy. More information is available through The Ananda Apothecary at www.anandaapothecary.com.