Brilliant Rose Oil - Aromatherapy for the Mind, Body, and Spirit
July 12, 2008 on 5:10 am | In Family |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?
Rose essential oil is a remarkable liquid. It’s really an incredible concentration of Rose flowers: it takes an amazing amount of Roses to make just a few drops. On average, under the most favorable conditions, the yield of Rose oil is one kilogram for every 2,500 kilos of Roses. it can take more than four times this amount of Roses to make the same amount of oil if the weather has been less than favorable. Think of it — It can be hard to imagine even what 2,500 kilos (over 5,000 pounds) of Roses looks like! And the oil itself is naturally a mixture of over a three hundred individual molecules, many of which have yet to be identified through scientific methods. It is this fantastic combination of extreme concentration combined with Mother Nature’s alchemy which imparts Rose oil’s incredible healing value.
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.
When looking at the oils’ the therapeutic applications, it is important to take into account the entire mind body/complex — rather than divorcing the two which is so often done in modern medicine. Rose essential oil is very active on a physiological level, however it is when its action on the emotions and spirit are taken into account that Rose really shines. Otto is a strong antiviral, being used by many folks for its efficacy in treating herpes and shingles. Despite its potency, it is gentle enough for undiluted application to the skin for this use. Rose oils are also profoundly effective tonics for the female reproductive system; they are said to enhance fertility and bring about health for the uterus and ovaries. For these needs, a dilute formula of 3% Rose oil can be massaged into the lower abdomen on a frequent basis.
Rose extracts are found in many of the worlds premier skincare formulas. Rose oils are particularly effective for dry and mature skin. Hence the symbol of duty brings about beauty through an overall healing action in the dermis. Rose oils are stimulating to skin cell metabolism, cleansing, hydrating, smoothing, and naturally astringent without being drying. The distillate water of Rose, called Rose Hydrosol, is used as a natural cleansing agent unto itself; it can be applied daily after the face is washed to improve skin texture and impart a healthy glow.
The most important healing effect may be roses ability to open the heart. When the world around us seems exceptionally challenging, it is particularly important to keep our hearts open. Simply the aroma of either the absolute or the Otto can do this — our olfactory sense is intimately connected to the emotional center of our brain, and our brains and hearts talk to one another constantly. The aroma of the floral symbol of love just happens to signal to the system to unlock the heart chakra, making it easier for us to both give and receive love. Either oil (the Otto or the Absolute — you should investigate which one works best for you) can impart this effect. They may be dabbed on the heart area and wrists at full strength, or diluted in organic Jojoba oil to your desired strength and worn anywhere as a natural perfume (keep in mind Rose Absolute’s deep red color will leave this color on whatever it touches before it is absorbed). Many whom use the oil in this manner describe an uplifted sense in their emotions, and even more open and kind reactions from those around them.
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 5 to 10% dilution is most often used for personal perfume, a 1 to 3% dilution as a massage oil, and a 1 to 2% 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 other aromatherapy methods of course, and you should use your intuition to guide you for the most appropriate technique.
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.
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