Properties and how to Use
Rose. The ultimate elixir of health and beauty
The rose is considered the most beautiful flower in the world. However, it is not only its unrivaled beauty and divine fragrance that ranks it at the top – since ancient times it has been considered a symbol of love and the 'king of flowers'.
The oil it produces has countless essentials for the body and mind that have been used in aromatherapy for thousands of years.
Chronology
The beautiful, romantic and mysterious rose with its intoxicating aroma has a rich and colorful past. For thousands of years, its ethereal, velvety essence has fueled the imagination and psyche of artists, poets and perfumers.
The exact origin of the rose is not known. The earliest archaeological record of its presence concerns rose leaves discovered in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and dating back to about 35 million years ago in the Paleolithic era. Around 3,000 BC, the image of the rose first appeared in Asian art motifs, and during the golden age of ancient Egypt, Queen Cleopatra, while in a passionate love affair with Mark Antony, was said to have filled . an entire room of rose petals.
Thanks to its unique beauty and fragrance, it was adopted by the first civilizations such as the Chinese, the Egyptians and later the Romans, who cultivated the rose widely 5,000 years ago. In fact, the gardeners of the Han Dynasty were so obsessed with the beauty of the rose that their parks threatened to devour the land required for agriculture. Also, on the other side of the planet, the Incas adopted Rose Essential Oil in various ways, using it as a cure for everything…
Rose Essential Oil: what makes it unique?
The production of rose essential oil is very complicated. The flowers are harvested by hand and before sunrise. In addition, the distillation process must be carried out on the same day to ensure that the unrivaled aroma of the rose is locked in.
It is mainly produced from two types of rose: a) The Damascus rose grown in Syria, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, Iran, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan and China. b) The Centifolia rose which is commonly found in Morocco, France and Egypt. To emphasize that genuine rose essential oil, and not its impurities or imitations, is an expensive product. Hundreds of kilograms of petals are needed to produce a few grams. However, its production is worth it. This is because it is valuable both for skin care and for our mental and emotional health.
A reminder here that rose essential oil, like almost all essential oils, is not used directly on the skin. It dissolves in base oils, otherwise it can cause irritation. Let's look in detail at its effects, first of all on health
Health benefits
• Relieves pain
In a 2015 study, post-surgery children and adolescents inhaled either almond oil or rose oil. Patients in the group that inhaled rose oil reported a significant reduction in their pain levels.
Researchers believe that rose oil can stimulate the brain to release endorphins, often called the "feel-good" hormone. Based on the results of this study, the researchers suggested that aromatherapy using rose oil could be an effective way to relieve pain in patients who have undergone surgery.
• Reduces anxiety and stress
Rose oil has a relaxing effect on many people. In one study, researchers applied rose oil to the skin of each research participant who was experiencing severe symptoms. They then measured its effect on the most common symptoms of anxiety. Blood pressure, heart rates, breathing rates, cortisol levels and blood oxygen levels decreased. Subjects also reported feeling much more relaxed after treatment. Another study involving more than 100 pregnant women found that rose oil reduced their anxiety levels during labor.
• Against infections
Researchers have discovered that rose essential oil can be effective against a wide range of germs that cause infections. This includes E. coli, as well as certain strains of the bacteria that can cause Staphylococcus and Streptococcus infections. Additionally, the study found that rose oil was effective against Candida albicans, which can cause yeast infections in the mouth, gut, and vagina.
• Stimulates sexual drive
Two studies have found that inhaling rose oil increased sexual desire and sexual satisfaction in men and, to a lesser extent, in women. One study involved male participants with major depressive disorder who were taking antidepressants, and the other study involved women with the same disorder who were also taking antidepressants. Researchers believe that the release of dopamine in the brain may be what drives the increase in sexual desire, while at the same time relieving symptoms of depression.
Skin and beauty benefits
Natural, pure rose essential oil contains more than 50 compounds that are beneficial for the skin. These natural molecules are impossible to create in a laboratory. Consequently, artificial Rose Oil (known as Artisan oil) has absolutely no benefit to the skin (it just smells like a rose).
In addition, pure Rose Oil (steam distilled from the petals of Rosa Damascena) is much richer in these nutrients than cheaper natural versions such as Rose Hip Oil (oil obtained from the fruits of the wild rose) or Rose Absolute Oil (solvent oil extracted) and other cheaper alternatives.
• Against acne and skin imperfections
First and foremost, pure rose oil is an antibacterial substance. This is one of the reasons why it is effective on acne-prone skin. It is capable of both nourishing and disinfecting the skin. It is so powerful that it is also used to treat scars and other skin imperfections.
Rosehip oil has strong anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, making it a great choice for those looking to clear pores and reduce breakouts. And the best part is that it is also able to help against rosacea while protecting the skin from future irritations.
Recently, researchers published a study that revealed that damask rose essential oil exhibited one of the strongest bactericidal activities compared to 10 other oils. Even better than thyme, lavender and cinnamon essential oils, pure rose oil was able to completely destroy Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria responsible for acne).
• Top anti-aging
With so many miraculous properties, it's no surprise that rose is on the list of top anti-aging essential oils.
Thanks to its unique combination of antioxidants such as citronellol and geraniol, pure rose oil helps reduce the signs of aging and slow down free radical damage. Free radicals cause internal damage to skin tissue, resulting in wrinkles, lines and dehydration.
These natural properties make it particularly beneficial for dry, mature and sensitive skin. It enhances the skin's natural glow, heals superficial broken capillaries and scars, moisturizes and cleanses the skin by removing toxins from its outer layers.
In fact, its great anti-wrinkle action, not its wonderful fragrance, is the main reason it is so widely used in premium cosmetics. Its natural composition stimulates collagen production. Thus wrinkles are smoothed out and the skin becomes fresher and younger.
Pure rose oil penetrates deeper than any cream. This magical substance does wonders for overall skin health.
• Balances hormone production
Rose oil is actually known as the "women's oil". It is believed to help balance hormones and relieve skin symptoms associated with these imbalances. This makes it great for use when skin is suffering from the menstrual cycle and needs some rejuvenation and care.
How to use it?
Essential oil is quite expensive and it is very strong. It should be diluted whether you plan to inhale it or use it on your skin.
• Add pure rose oil to any moisturizer (cream or lotion) to revitalize and balance skin and improve texture. Another great skin treat is a facial steam with 1-4 drops of rose oil. It offers detoxification and cleansing of the pores and renewal of the face.
• To make a custom antiaging oil blend for your skin, choose two of your favorite oils. Avocado, argan, sweet almond, and jojoba are all great for keeping skin looking young. Now add two drops of rose essential oil and use it as a daily face oil.
• To make a rose oil bath, add 10 drops of rose essential oil to a carrier oil. Then add a few drops to a warm bath. Also it is always said that essential oils should always be diluted in a carrier oil before adding to water.
• To make a foot bath, add a few drops of diluted rose oil to the foot bath and soak your feet for 10 minutes.
• To treat anxiety or depression, you can either inhale rose oil using a diffuser or dab it lightly on your chest, neck and wrists. Be sure to mix it first with a carrier oil like coconut, almond, or jojoba oil before it goes on the skin. You can also benefit from a rose oil massage, in which rose essential oil is added to a massage base oil.
*Before using any alternative or complementary therapy, talk to your doctor about any possible drug interactions or side effects.
Source: www.naturanrg.gr
