Very popular oil in modern days is rose oil. Its benefits vary, from improving circulation, strengthening the immune system, and assisting the body in healing itself. Depending upon how one uses rose oil, it can offer help in various ways. Pure rose oil is a highly concentrated product and the smallest drop can exhilarate the senses.
Its rich fragrance has perfumed human history for generations, from ancient Persian gardens, where the rose was probably first cultivated to extravagant Roman banquets whose revelers feasted amongst soft piles of rose petals. The rose is common and unassuming, blooming carefree in a grandmother's rambling, overgrown garden. The rose symbolizes innocence, love, passion, sympathy, desire, luxury and the ideal aesthetic.
The healing tradition associated with the rose is no less remarkable than its fragrance and beauty. The 17th-century English physician Culpeper wrote that red roses strengthen the heart. He may have been referring to a physical action, but anyone who has inhaled fresh roses or their essential oil knows the aroma strengthens the heart spiritually and emotionally as well. Culpeper attributed other properties to the rose that foreshadowed its current use in aromatherapy and cosmetics. He recommended extract of rose for its cooling and astringent benefits, useful for headache and tired eyes. He also suggested an ointment of roses to cool and heal pushes, wheals and other red pimples rising on the face.
Few drops of pure rose oil and place in a tub of warm water. Keep the bathroom door closed so the scented steam will remain around. This fills the bathroom with wonderful rose fragrance. Soaking in the rose oil bath will often sooth mind and body. For centuries rose oil steam has provided relief for respiratory infections, asthma, coughs, hay fever, liver congestion, and nausea. To create a breathing steam bath, fill a large bowl with almost boiling water and add few drops of rose oil. Leaning over the bowl, breathe deeply until feel relief (usually within minutes). Placing a towel over head may help direct the vapors better.
Rose calms and supports the heart, helping to nourish 'heart-yin' and restore a sense of well-being. The flower has been known to bring warmth to the soul with its ability to heal emotional wounds. Rose oil was first distilled by the Arabic Physician Avicenna, who wrote an entire book on its many healing properties.
Rose essential oil has been used throughout history in the ancient art of aromatherapy as a healing tonic and mood-elevating supplement. Interestingly, because rose petals are not very high in oil content, it takes several thousand pounds of rose petals to produce just one ounce of this valuable oil, depending on the variety of plant used.
Benefit & Uses:
Rose oil is used in creams, lotions and soaps for its mild anti-viral and bactericidal properties, as well as for its fragrance. Rose water, recovered from the distillation of rose oil, is mildly astringent and beneficial for cleansing and refreshing dry, sensitive skin.
Besides being used as a medicine in history, the rose has a long history as a costly perfume. Fresh roses were macerated in hot fat to produce fragrant pomades in ancient India, Greece and Egypt. In Egypt these pomades were shaped into cones and placed on the top of the head. As body heat melted the fat, fragrant, rose-scented oil would trickle down the face and neck.
Rose oil has antibacterial, astringent, antiseptic and antiviral properties, which make it useful in treating and disinfecting minor cuts and scrapes. Rose oil contains a compound called Farnese, which helps to kill bacteria and may help with the regeneration of new skin. Rose oil can be used in skincare treatments to help prevent and fight bacteria associated with conditions such as acne. It may help to treat pimples and blemishes by reducing the length and severity of flare-ups. Rose oil is also beneficial for those who have sensitive skin, as it is generally safe for all skin types and does not usually cause allergic reactions.