by Tarah Cech
Here’s a little tip for all you natural health enthusiasts out there wanting to make a difference: now may be the time to try a Rose essential oil. Roses have always been great symbols of love and beauty, and the potency which nature created is readily available in pure Rose oils. Rose essential oil is considered one of the most profoundly healing natural aromatics by leading aromatherapists. It has an incredible number of diverse and effective healing applications, it is easy to use, and its aroma is loved by nearly everyone.
Now more than ever, in these challenging times around the world, the healing power of Rose is most needed. It might even be considered that it’s anti-viral and beauty enhancing effects are minor when compared to the dramatic heart opening action this oil has. By opening the heart chakra, this natural medicine can help us both to give and receive more love. And depending on its application, it can also deal with illness and make us more beautiful. So what is true Rose oil, and how can we make the best use of it?
All pure Rose oils are special for these extraordinary reasons: It takes an incredible amount of flowers to make even the tiniest amount of oil — on average, the yield of essential oil is 1:8000. For every 8000 pounds of flowers, 1 pound of oil is produced, thus being one of the most concentrated natural aromatics (Melissa, also an exceptionally potent healing oil is another example of such a concentration). And chemically, Rose is one of the most complex essential oils, being made up of over 300 distinct natural constituents. This unique make up is the source of its great variety of therapeutic applications.
There are two distinct types of Rose oil in use today, distinguished by the distillation techniques from which they were made. Rose Absolute is the solvent extract of Rose petals — Roses are immersed in a solvent such as ethanol, which draws the aromatic oil out of the flower. The ethanol is then evaporated off, leaving the deep red colored aromatic concentrate behind. Rose absolute is most close to the natural Rose aroma, smelling like a fresh cut flower. Rose Otto is the steam distilled essential oil of Rose; because it is steam distilled Otto is considered true Rose ‘essential oil’. The most highly prized varieties of both oil are produced in Bulgaria, though other countries such as Turkey and Morocco also distill excellent Rose oils.
The alternative health applications of Rose oil are many. On a physiological level, Rose Otto is a strong antiviral, used primarily to treat herpes and shingles outbreaks. The Otto is also exceptionally beneficial to the female reproductive organs. It acts as a tonic for the whole system, and can be diluted in an aromatherapy carrier oil and massaged into the pelvic region for this effect. It is said to be both a regulating and purifying agent, and may help with infertility and other conditions of the uterus.
The most common therapeutic application may be for healing the skin, as Rose extracts are found in many of the world’s finest cosmetics. Rose Otto can reduce inflammation, heal capillaries, hydrate and soften, and act as it an effective astringent and antiseptic. Including a 1% concentration in any skincare formula can vastly improve its beauty enhancing ability. Rose water (‘leftover’ from the distillation process) is an excellent beauty care preparation unto itself. The water, called ‘Rose hydrosol’ is often used with a cotton ball as a cleansing tonic for the face.
While not the most common, certainly the most important therapeutic application of Rose is as a healer of the Soul. The aromas of both the Absolute and the Otto are well-known antidepressants, an action that is not clearly defined by modern medicine. The olfactory sense is the one of the five senses directly hardwired to the brain, and here has a deeply rooted in effect on our overall well-being. Rose Absolute can be worn as a natural perfume for this purpose, often diluted to 10% in jojoba oil and dabbed on the wrists and neck. The same can be done with the Otto, though it may be even more useful and small concentrations as an aromatherapy massage oil. In the esoteric medicine systems, inhalation and topical application of Rose is thought to regulate the flow of Chi through the liver. This is of profound importance, as it is a blocked flow of this Chi that can lead to anger, irritation, and anxiety. And perhaps the greatest of all effects is the unfolding of the heart chakra, allowing us to be more open, loving, and receptive to one another, and to be comforted in tense times.
Employing the healing properties of Rose oils is fun and easy to do. Both the Otto and Absolute are safe, and can be used undiluted whenever desired. They are both considered highly potent, and diluting them in a carrier oil will not reduce their efficacy however. A five to ten percent dilution is most often used for personal perfume, a one to three percent dilution as a massage oil, and a one to two dilution and beauty care preparations. Either oil is excellent for use in even the simplest of aromatherapy diffusers, by themselves or blended with other aromatics of your choice. There are many aromatherapy methods you can use; trust your instinct to find the best one for you.
Rose essential oil, and particularly Rose Otto has the potential to be very transformative. It may be that this revered symbol of beauty and love is now offering us its incredible health-giving effects in its most concentrated and portable form. One of the interesting aspects of our digital age is that while the planet is in peril, positive information and healing materials are available faster than ever. A bottle of Rose originating in Bulgaria can be delivered almost anywhere on Earth virtually overnight. If Rose oil sound right for you, it’s encouraged that you give it a try — every little bit one can do to open their hearts and bring out their light will make the world a better place for everyone.