Rose Oil

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Rose Oil

Source: Enhancing Mind Body Spirit

Regarded as the queen of oils, Rose is one of the most beautiful and most

expensive oils. It is a valuable addition to your stock because of its

exquisite floral fragrance and soft yet rich undertones of clove and

vanilla. The best rose oil is from Bulgaria, where fresh petals of damask

rose are hand-picked at dawn and steam distilled. To create a single drop of

oil (rose otto), up to a hundred blossoms are needed. Rose oil is a very

spiritual oil that has been used in ceremonies throughout history. The oil

has many uses, among them its effectiveness in dealing with depression,

grief, sadness, lost love, and low periods in one's life. Rose is an

excellent oil for women to help with balancing the hormonal system and with

emotional issues. It is a luxurious addition to perfumes, massage oils, and

skin care products, adding a rich, rosy fragrance. It also helps broken

capillaries, aids sensitive and inflamed skin, and is a wonderful tonic for

mature skin.

The beauty and mystery of roses have entranced humans since the dawn of

time. Cultivated for over 5000 years, the rose has long been held as a

sacred symbol. The ancient Persian word for rose means "spirit." The

fragrance of roses has been used to venerate female icons throughout

history, from the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis to the Christian Virgin

Mary. Knights referred to damsels as roses, and many patron saints had roses

as emblems. A complex language of roses has developed, with white roses

symbolizing purity and red roses associated with romantic love and passion.

Active Ingredients

Rose is believed to be one of the most complex oils, with many active

ingredients yet to be identified. The method of extraction influences the

chemical composition of the final oil.

Alcohols - Distilled rose otto is rich in citronnellol, geraniol and nerol.

This family of alcohols has a low toxicity, as well as balancing, warming

and uplifting actions and a pleasant fragrance.

Phenols - Rose oil contains farnesol, which has both bactericidal and

deodorizing properties.

Aldehydes - It is also rich in sedative aldehydes that calm the nervous

system and are anti-inflammatory.

General properties: laxative, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac,

antidepressant, uplifting, rejuvenating, soothing

Blends well with: clary sage, geranium, jasmine, lavender, patchouli,

chamomile, sandalwood, ylang ylang

General use: blood cleansing, nausea, constipation, premenstrual tension,

menopause, anorexia, bulimia, nervous disposition, frigidity, respiratory

problems, all skin disorders, aging skin, wrinkles, shock, palpitations,

headache, migraines, gall bladder, depression, comfort, coldness, grief,

broken capillaries, frigidity, impotence, insomnia, jealousy, liver, sore

throats, eye complaints, coughing, shingles, abscess, fever, mouth ulcers,

eczema

Caution: Beware of adulteration. About five tons of roses are needed to

obtain 1 kg of essential oil and so this product is very expensive. Geranium

oil is often used in adulteration, as is geraniol. Adulterated oil does not

have therapeutic properties. Be cautious during pregnancy as it has

emmenagogic properties. Not to be used with chemotherapeutic treatment of

cancer.

Restore Skin

Rose's natural anti-inflammatory action makes it a valuable oil for treating

skin disorders and damage.

Stretch Marks And Scars

Reduce unsightly stretch marks and scars by regularly applying a nourishing

blend of oils. Add:

*4 drops rose

*4 drops neroli

*4 drops lavender

*1 tbsp sweet almond oil

*1 tsp wheatgerm oil

Retaining Suntans

Create a nourishing after-sun oil by combining:

*1 tbsp jojoba

*3 drops rose

*4 drops chamomile

*10 drops lavender

Apply to the skin to cool, moisturize and retain a tan.

Lift Moods

Use rose to generate a feeling of calm and a sense of well-being and

happiness.

*For an uplifting but calming room fragrance, add 3 drops of rose oil with 5

drops each of bergamot and petitgrain oil, to a vaporizer. The uplifting

scent of the citrus oils complements rose's soothing properties.

*Fortify the emotions during times of grief and loss by combining 3 drops

each of rose and petitgrain oil with 6 drops of clary sage oil in 4 tbsp of

grapeseed oil. Use as a body massage oil.

*Enjoy an anti-stress bath soak by adding 3 drops of rose oil and 2 drops

each of lavender and frankincense oil to a deep warm bath.

Sensual Beauty Oil

For a beautiful complexion, make rose part of your daily skin-care regime.

*Strengthen weak nails with 4 drops each of rose and cedarwood oil blended

in 2 tbsp of neutral base cream. Massage into the nails and nail base

regularly.

*Create an aromatic facial toner by blending 3 drops each of rose,

frankincense and sandalwood oil with 4 tsp of jojoba oil. These oils will

tighten slack skin, giving a healthy and youthful appearance.

*For soft skin, combine 4 drops each of rose and neroli oil with 4 tsp of

avocado oil. Use twice daily.

Regulate Hormones

Rose is an excellent tonic for regulating the menstrual cycle and calming

PMS. You can even use it to aid postnatal healing.

*Reduce painful, heavy periods with an aromatic abdominal massage containing

5 drops each of rose and lavender oil in 1 tbsp of grapeseed oil.

*Treat the irritability associated with PMS with a whole body massage

containing 10 drops each of geranium and clary sage oil and 3 drops of rose

oil in 4 tsp of carrier oil.

*Rose acts as a tonic for the uterus and is invaluable for new mothers.

Enjoy a fortifying massage during the postnatal period by blending 4 drops

of rose oil with 8 drops each of clary sage and bergamot oil.

 

 

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."-- Mahatma Gandhi