Rose Blend essential oil
Botanical (and family):
Rosa centifolia, Rosa Damascena.. Family Rosaceae.
Distribution:
Roses are cultivated worldwide, but their origin is lost in the mists of history. Different rose types originated from Western Europe and central Asia. R. centifolia, R. Damascena, and R. Gallica are grown for their fabulous scent, and their multi-petalled nature. In Turkey, a thirty petal type is used, called 'Trigintipetala'.
Description of plant:
A small, prickly shrub with fragrant pink blooms.
Extraction:
There are many ways to extract Rose, being:
1. Distillation in the case of Arabic culture.
2. Solvent extraction, or 'dry cleaning'.
3. The liquid CO2 process.
Charactersitics:
A pale yellow liquid with rich, deep, sweet-floral, slightly spicy scent.
MIDDLE TO BASE NOTE
Odour effects:
Soothing and feminine.
Cautions:
Avoid during pregnancy.
Main chemical constituents:
Constituents vary greatly from region to region. Below find average values for Damascena:
Citronellyl acetate, geranyl acetate, neryl acetate - 4%
Neral - 1%
Caryophyllene - 1%
Damascenone and remainder - 12%
Rose oxide - 1%
Stearoptene, camphene, myrcene, cymene, pinenes, ocimene - 20%
Citronellol, geraniol, farnesol, nerol, linalool, phenylethylalcohol - 60%
Methyl Eugenol - 1%
(As at 1990, there were 400 known volatile components in Rose oil.)
Properties and indications:
MIND
Very useful for depression, grief, jealousy, and resentment. Eases nervous tension and gives a woman positive feelings.
BODY
Womb tonic, calming PMT. Helpful with frigidity and impotence, by way of dopamine release. A tonic to the heart, toning the capillaries. Balances and strengthens the stomach. Has a cleansing and purging action on toxins. Has a soothing action on sore throats and eases coughs.
SKIN
Useful for all types of skin, particularly mature, dry or hard skin. Has a constricting action on capillaries.
Other uses:
Used in food, sweets and is indispensable in fine perfumery for its subtle floral notes.
