What's So Special About Rose? – Osmia

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What's So Special About Rose?

December 14, 2023

by Sarah Villafranco, MD

INGREDIENT:

Rose essential oil

WHAT'S THE FANCY LATIN NAME?

Rosa damascena

WHERE DOES ROSE ESSENTIAL OIL COME FROM?

Most of the roses used to make rose otto essential oil are grown in Southern Bulgaria, whereas most of those used for rose absolute are from Morocco, east of Marrakech. What’s the difference? Rose otto essential oil, or attar of rose, is steam-distilled from the petals of the rose, and requires WAY more plant material to produce. Rose absolute is made using solvents like hexane and alcohol to extract the scent molecules—it smells divine and is wonderful in perfumery, but aromatherapists prefer rose otto, as it is produced by a more natural method of extraction. The first rose essential oil was allegedly distilled by a famous Persian physician/philosopher called Avicenna in the 10^th century. Until then, the oil had only been extracted by a technique called enfleurage, a beautifully romantic word for a not-so-romantic process of mashing the rose petals in hot fat.

WHAT ARE THE AROMATHERAPY BENEFITS OF ROSE?

Rose is used to help treat dysmenorrhea in women (painful menstruation), as well as infertility in women and men. It is an aphrodisiac oil—a drop on the collar bones can stimulate sensuality in the wearer and anyone in sniffing range. Rose has long been used to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and grief. It is especially useful in helping people move through states of trauma, allowing them to open to and finally release from sadness.

WHAT ARE THE SKIN BENEFITS OF ROSE ESSENTIAL OIL?

Rose otto essential oil is used to decrease redness in skin conditions like rosacea and dermatitis. It has a tonic, astringent effect on the capillaries, making them less visible. It is also excellent for dry, mature, and sensitive skin, and has potent antibacterial activity, making it useful in skin conditions like acne and dermatitis. The dermal use maximum is 0.6% (Tisserand/Young).

HOW IS ROSE USED IN NATURAL PERFUME?

Rose absolute, though obtained using solvents rather than steam, captures the true scent of a rose, and is one of the natural perfumer’s most cherished oils. It is soft and lovely, and can unify a blend like no other oil. It can soften sharp corners in a perfume without taking over the entire aroma – very few oils can do this in natural perfumery. That said, rose is absolutely divine worn alone in a base of jojoba oil, and complicated enough to stand on its own.

WHY IS ROSE OIL SO EXPENSIVE?

It takes 5000-10,000 pounds of rose blossoms to make a pound of oil. Still not picturing it? It would take 30 roses to get one, single drop of essential oil. Can you imagine the number of picking hands required to gather 50,000 roses? Now you know why it’s so expensive, and why we are willing to pay over $500 per ounce for the certified organic essential oil.

FUN FACTS ABOUT ROSE

Fossil evidence suggests that the rose is 35 million years old.
Rose essential oil contains over 300 known chemical constituents, which make up about 86% of the oil. The other 14% comprises minuscule quantities of unidentified compounds, which is why it’s literally impossible for a synthetic rose fragrance to capture the complicated beauty of the real thing.
Rose blossoms are harvested by hand just before dawn, because the essential oil yield is highest before the sun has opened and warmed the flowers.

With love and heaps of roses from us to you,

The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of rose. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.

OUR WELLNESS + SKINCARE EXPERT

Sarah Villafranco, MD

Dr. Sarah Villafranco attended Georgetown University Medical School, and went on to complete her residency in emergency medicine at George Washington University. She moved to Colorado, where she practiced as a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Aspen Valley Hospital, Snowmass Clinic, and Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, CO. After losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, she took a local soap making class, and fell in love with the chemistry and artistry of making soap. Sarah went into research mode and was alarmed to learn how many potentially harmful ingredients were in most skincare products on the market. She knew she could make better, safer products that were as effective (if not more so) than conventional products. After a few years of research and development, Sarah stepped away from the emergency room to launch Osmia Skincare in April of 2012. She remains a licensed physician in Colorado, and now helps people find healthier, happier skin as CEO of the brand.