Rose Essential Oil (Rosa × damascena)

Overview

Rose may also be referred to as Rose of Castile, Damask rose, Damascus rose, Rose Otto, Turkish rose, Taif rose, Arab rose, Ispahan rose, Castile rose, Rose Otto - Bulgaria, Rose Oil: Rose Otto, Rose Co2 Extract, Rose Absolute, or R. × damascena. It is typically processed using steam or hydro distillation, or co2 select extraction as a method for extracting oil from the flowers/petals.

Summary

Rose oil comes from the flowers of the Rosa × damascena (Damask Rose) plant is a rose hybrid, derived from Rosa gallica and Rosa moschata. Rosa × damascena is a cultivated flower that is not found growing wild. It has a deep floral scent.

Emotionally, Rose Essential Oil is helpful during times of stress. It is considered the choice oil for use during times of grief. I have read comments from those that have Post Traumatic Shock Disorder (PTSD) that it can be helpful for those that suffer from PTSD and varying levels of anxiety. When used in low concentrations, Rose Oil be helpful for insomnia. Rose Oil is considered anaphrodisiac.

Therapeutically, Rose Essemtoa; Oil is heralded for nurturing maturing skin and for its use with menstruation, menopause and hormonal issues for women.

Steam Distilled Rose Essential Oil is known as Rose Otto. Solvent Extracted Rose Oil is known as Rose Absolute. The CO2 extracted oil is known as Rose CO2 Extract and is superior in many ways to Rose Otto Essential Oil and Rose Absolute. They are all beautiful, intoxicating oils, but there are some differences worth mentioning:

Essential Facts

Aroma Description:
Exotic Floral Fresh Rich Sensual Sweet
Common Name(s): Rose of Castile, Damask rose, Damascus rose, Rose Otto, Turkish rose, Taif rose, Arab rose, Ispahan rose, Castile rose, Rose Otto - Bulgaria, Rose Oil: Rose Otto, Rose Co2 Extract, Rose Absolute, or R. × damascena
Botanical Family: Rosaceae
Botanical Genus: Rosa
Chemical Family: Monoterpenols
Major Compounds: Citronellol, Geranoil, Alkenes & Alkanese, Nerol, Methyleugenol, Linalool, Citronellyl Acetate, Ethanol, 2-Phenylethano
Perfumery Note: Middle
Consistency: Thick for the Rose Absolute, Thin for Rose Otto
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Color: Deep Red for Rose Absolute, Light Yellow for Rose Otto
Indigenous Country: Bulgaria
Cultivation: Distiller is Certified Organic
Processing Methods: Steam or Hydro Distillation, or CO2 Select Extraction
Part Typically Used: Flowers/Petals
Shelf Life: Gets better with age

Ethically and sustainably sourced
Organic
Vegan
Not recommended or safe if pregnant or nursing
Not recommend or safe for children

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

Blends

Rose Blends:

Angelica Root

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Rose:

Don't use rose oil during pregnancy. Essential Oil Safety forewarns that Rose Otto may contain methyeugenol and states: "We recommend a dermal maximum of 0.6% and a maximum oral dose of 21mg, based on 3.3% methyleugenol content, with dermal and oral limits of 0.02% and 0.01mg/kg for methyleugenol). Guidelines for maximum dermal usage: EU: 0.006% IFRA: 0.012% Tisserand & Young: 0.6% For more complete information, refer directly to Essential Oil Safety. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 405.]

Safety Precautions for Rose:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.