Rose essential oil: uses and properties

In every historical era, amid myths, legends, and traditions, the Rose has consistently shared a special connection with the feminine universe. Presently, gifting a simple rose remains an elegant and undoubtedly appreciated gesture for women, especially if it comes unexpectedly. Notably, various extracts of Rose have been utilized in ancient times for women’s cosmetics, beyond its purely decorative aspect. In addition to its cosmetic allure, this flower exhibits diverse medicinal and health-promoting activities.

The healing virtues of the Rose have been known since antiquity, holding a prominent position in Oriental medicine until the Middle Ages. It was employed for a wide range of issues, including digestive and menstrual problems, headaches, nervous tension, circulatory insufficiency, fever, and skin and eye infections. Nowadays, it is primarily employed as an aromatic component in cosmetic preparations and fragrances.

Rose essential oil is obtained through hydrodistillation or steam distillation from fresh petals, manually harvested before dawn. It’s also possible to obtain an absolute from Rose petals through solvent extraction. However, its use is mainly intended for the perfume industry since it is not a pure essential oil, and residues of the solvent used for extraction always remain.

 

Uses and properties of rose essential oil

Psychological benefits: The distinctive fragrance of Rose essential oil has been associated with relaxation and pleasure for millennia. Comprising over 300 different molecules, some in trace amounts but crucial for the characteristic aroma, Rose essential oil stands among the most beloved fragrances. It proves helpful in cases of stress, tension, and insomnia, either through inhalation or in a diffuser. Easily blending with other essential oils, it can be added to bathwater for aromatic baths, offering a moment of relaxation after a challenging and stressful day. Furthermore, this essential oil exerts a balancing action between two polarities – calming and relaxing on one side, exciting with its aphrodisiac qualities on the other. It is indeed the oil of love and eroticism, enhancing inner beauty and aiding against sexual asthenia, impotence, and frigidity.

For a sensual bath, dilute 2 drops of Rose essential oil, 6 drops of Sandalwood, and 4 drops of Cardamom in 250 ml of neutral shower gel.

Dermatology: This essential oil moisturizes, tones, and is a fantastic anti-wrinkle agent. Suitable for all skin types, it can be used in anti-inflammatory preparations for the skin, for minor burns and abrasions, eczema, acne, sensitive, mature, and wrinkled skin. It is excellent for fragile capillaries and couperose, skin blemishes, and as a sebum balancer.

Create a DIY face oil with anti-stress, anti-redness, and anti-wrinkle effects by combining 5 ml of Jojoba oil, 10 ml of Apricot or Peach Kernel oil, 5 ml of Rosehip oil, 2 drops of Chamomile essential oil, 2 drops of Rose essential oil, and 2 drops of Neroli essential oil.

Additionally, Rose essence combats infections and dermatoses, serving as a soothing agent for any irritation and inflammation.

It is an excellent massage oil, with one or two drops providing benefits and a lingering fragrance for hours. Besides pure essential oil, Rose water can be used as a tonic, soothing, and astringent when misted on the skin, or for eye washes in cases of conjunctivitis or compresses for inflamed and tired eyes. In the latter case, it’s advisable to use freshly produced hydrosol to ensure absolute sterility for ocular use.

Well-being: Rose essential oil can be used in dry inhalations or vaporizations to reduce inflammation and pain in nasal and oral mucous membranes during colds, coughs, sore throats, and allergic rhinitis.

Rose water is often employed as an aqueous base for cosmetic cream formulations and in perfumery for scented waters. At home, the hydrosol can serve as a skin tonic/astringent by placing it in an amber glass spray bottle, allowing misting on the skin while preventing contamination. It is also excellent for use as an aftershave in the same manner.

Another simple household use for Rose water is adding it to the iron for a fresh and delicate fragrance on linens.

Nutrition: Rose petals have been part of the preparation of the famous Rose syrup in the Genoa valleys for centuries, especially in the Scrivia Valley, where Rose cultivation was widespread in orchards, gardens, and parks of manor houses and monasteries; all for its homemade production.

This syrup, with its wonderful aroma and pink color, can still be diluted in cold water as a refreshing drink or in hot water as if it were a herbal tea. Alternatively, it can be used undiluted to flavor ice cream, yogurt, panna cotta, desserts, fruit salads, sorbets, granitas, popsicles, and much more.

Pure Rose essential oil, due to its floral aroma impacting our emotional sphere, could also be used at home as a flavoring agent in various food products, especially in bakery items and non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails.

 

Adding just one drop of essential oil during the preparation of custard or panna cotta could be an excellent way to start experimenting with “aromatic” and nutraceutical cooking (recipe example: Risotto with Lemon Balm Leaves and Melissa Essential Oil). Creating aromatic salts with Rose essential oil and dried petals of Rose, Calendula, and Mallow could be an original idea to enhance vibrant summer salads, composed of lettuce, sprouts, and fresh edible flowers.

Recommendations for the use of rose essential oil

Remember that essential oils, in general, are highly concentrated compounds, and even a small amount can lead to undesired effects. If taken internally, it is advisable to consult an expert and one’s physician. Caution is also necessary in cutaneous use because, being small molecules, they are easily absorbed by our skin. Therefore, excessive dosages risk causing dermatitis. They should not be used on damaged skin and should not come into contact with mucous membranes and eyes as they may cause severe irritation.

LAURA EDERLE