Rose essential oil: all its properties and uses

Damascus rose (damascene rose) is probably one of the most beautiful flowers and also one of the most closely linked to humans. A precious essential oil widely used in perfumery and cosmetics is extracted from it, but which also has valuable aromatherapy properties.

Rosa Damascena, the flower of love

It is believed that the damask rose was initially introduced into France from Syria during the Eighth Crusade. It was cultivated in the south of this country, especially in the Grasse region, from the 19th century. Today I know grown mainly in Bulgaria, Türkiye, Afghanistan, Morocco and also in India.

In the past it was highly valued and prized both in Egypt and China. It is considered the queen of flowers. She is often associated with the Virgin Mary and in the most ancient civilizations she was symbol of purity, but also of passion and love, specifically unconditional love. Among the attributes of goddesses such as Aphrodite, Venus and in India Lakshmi, we find the rose.

It is said that the first essential oil that was obtained with an alembic was that of Rosa Damascena, and it was from the hand of the great Persian physician Ibn Sinaknown as Avicenna, around the year one thousand.

Few roses go through the still. The Damascus rose is has almost the exclusivity among roses in the world of essential oils. Centifolia rose is also distilled, but it is not common to find this essential oil.

A highly prized essential oil

Rose essential oil is one of the most expensive essential oils due to its low yield and production costs. Four to five tons of rose petals are needed to obtain 1 kg of essential oil.

The flower picking It takes place in May and June depending on the region: they are collected very early in the morning so that they do not lose any of their valuable fragrance. He distillation process It lasts about an hour and a half and, to optimize performance, the hydrosol is reinjected into the still as it comes out.

The vast majority of the essential oil produced ends up in the hands of large perfumery firms or for cosmetic uses. However, it is also used for therapeutic purposes, especially in olfactotherapy.

It is evident that its high price can be an impediment to its use, but it is worth investing in it, since it is very valuable for some stages of life.

“Four to five tons of rose petals are needed to obtain 1 kg of essential oil.”

Rose essential oil properties

The soft, floral scent of rose essential oil is very comforting. Relaxes and calms intense emotions.

It reassures us and brings a feeling of security. Somehow, we can feel that it lifts us…above worries, obsessive thoughts and the negativity they generate.

For therapeutic purposes, the following properties are attributed to it:

Anti-infectious propertiesAnti-inflammatory propertiesAnxiolytic propertiesAbility to relieve pain

How to use it in aromatherapy

Damascus rose essential oil will be very useful in the following situations:

To increase self-esteem or repair your damaged dignity

Rose essential oil is absolutely wonderful for boosting our self-esteem and especially if we feel our dignity has been trampled on. Its aroma is restful and takes us away from the feeling of a victim that usually goes hand in hand when there is low self-esteem.

In a 5 ml roll-on, add 3 drops of the essential oil and complete with jojoba oil. Use it as a perfume by applying it to the neck, wrists and behind the ears. If you wear it on your wrists, it’s important that you take time to smell it. Repeat as needed, or a minimum of 5 times per day.

For the climacteric if you live it badly

The time before menopause can be lived with difficulty. It is common to feel a lot of emotional ups and downs or feel a little down. There is a study that shows that the aroma of the rose influences the estrogen level measured in saliva.

Prepare a dilution:

In a 5 ml bottle with a dropper, put 10 drops of essential oil and complete with jojoba oil. Open the bottle and take the time to smell for about 10 minutes 3 to 4 times a day.

You can also use this dilution as a perfume.

for wrinkles

Rose essential oil is the ideal choice when preparing a luxury anti-wrinkle neurocosmetic. It offers wonderful anti-aging properties thanks to its antioxidant effect: it reduces wrinkles and tones and regenerates the skin.

Prepare a serum with the following ingredients:

3 ml of pomegranate seed vegetable oil 3 ml of cranberry vegetable oil 9 ml of jojoba vegetable oil 5 drops of rose essential oil 2 drops of vitamin E

apply some 4 drops on clean face, morning and night. If you prefer, add 2 drops to your moisturizer at the time of applying it.

To accompany a loved one at the end of life

Rose essential oil is probably the best gift we can give to a loved one who leaves us. It is also a gift to yourself.

It helps us to accompany our loved one with an authentic and deep feeling of love while helps us sustain ourselves keeping us from collapsing. She brings comfort and comforts us.

For the accompanying person: In a 5 ml roll-on, add 3 drops of essential oil and complete with jojoba oil. It can be used as a perfume (on the neck, on the wrists and behind the ears) several times a day.For the accompanied person: We will make a dilution in jojoba oil. In a 5 ml bottle with a dropper, put 10 drops of essential oil and complete with jojoba oil. Apply about 3 drops on the soles of the feet and on the wrists. You can also apply a drop in the cardiac plexus and under the nose above the lip, 3 times a day or when you consider it necessary.

To prepare a perfume

Damask rose is already a perfume that is enough by itself, but if you also like the aroma of incense essential oil, you will love combining them in a perfume that will make you feel like a queen.

make your own solid perfume “Queen of Sheba”. You will need these ingredients:

5 g of shea butter 8 g of jojoba vegetable oil 2 g of beeswax 1 drop of vitamin E 5 drops of rose essential oil 7 drops of frankincense essential oil

Melt the fats with the beeswax in a bain-marie and add the rest of the ingredients. Store in a glass or aluminum jar.

Precautions and contraindications

The essential oil of roses It has no toxicity or contraindications.

It can be used by the olfactory and cutaneous route during pregnancy from the third month and during lactation.