Benefits and Uses of Rose Essential Oil

Did you know that there are two methods of extracting rose essential oil or rose oil from rose petals of the damask roses and cabbage rose? Rose otto or attar of roses is extracted through steam distillation while rose absolute is extracted solvent extraction or supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Normally rose absolute is thick and red in color while rose otto oil is thin and light yellow in color.

Rose absolute is used in perfumes. Rose otto is widely used in aromatherapy, as a remedy for many ailments, room freshener and body and hair spray because of its appealing rose petal fragrance. Rose flower water which is the byproduct of the steam distillation to obtain rose otto oil is used in cooking, fragrance and remedies for certain conditions such as skin problems.

According to a study conducted by the Institute of Horticulture Sciences, University of Agriculture in Pakistan, rose essential oil extracted from rosa damascena or damask and rosa centifolia or cabbage rose contains geraniol, eugenol, rhodinol, citronellol, linalool, citronellyl acetate , phenyl ethyl and rhodinyl acetate. Some of the constituents of rose otto oil are citronellol, esters, farnesol, geraniol, limonene, myrcene, nerol, pinene and rose oxide.

Geraniol brings out the rose scent and has antioxidant activities. Eugenol, which is also present in cloves, has analgesic and antiseptic properties. Rhodinol is another one of the constituents that produces the fragrance. Researchers in Japan claimed that inhaling linalool may help reduce stress. Phenyl ethyl is also responsible for the rose fragrance and has antibacterial properties. All these constituents combined produce anti-inflammatory, relaxing and restorative effects.

You can use rose oil topically, as aromatherapy oil or as a fragrance. You can use it as a remedy for anxiety, insomnia, menopause and mild depression by inhaling the oil. You can use it as a rub if you are having menstrual cramps and spasms. Applying it directly on dry, aged or mature skin may help moisturize, repair and smooth the skin. It may also help treat skin problems such as eczema. For a relaxing and soothing bath, add a few drops of the oil and soak yourself in it.

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