Rose essential oil has many beneficial properties like an antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and antiviral. It is also used as an aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, cholagogic, cicatrizant, depurative, and an emmenagogue. More so, this essential oil also has hemostatic, hepatic, laxative, nervine, and stomachic properties.
There are two main types of roses that are valued in the cosmetic industry: Rosa damascena and Rosa centifolia. Essential oils from both of these roses have pronounced benefits for humans. However, Damascus roses are the preferred variety because they are the most fragrant species.
The rose essential oil is made up of hundreds of components like citronellol, citral, carvone, citronellyl acetate, eugenol, ethanol, farnesol, stearpoten, methyl eugenol, nerol, nonanol, nonanal, phenylacetaldehyde, phenylmethyl acetate, and phenyl geraniol. [1] [2]
Rose Essential Oil Benefits
Let’s explore some of the medicinal and health benefits of rose essential oil below.
May Reduce Anxiety
Rose oil helps to boosts self-esteem, confidence, and mental strength while efficiently fighting anxiety. These anxiolytic effects of rose oil are confirmed by a 2004 study published in Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. [3]
A 2009 study conducted in the Srinakharinwirot University of Thailand suggests that rose oil has a relaxing effect on people with stress. In this study, rose oil was topically applied on the subjects and they were given breathing masks so as to analyze the effect of rose oil independent of any olfactory stimulation. Results showed a remarkable improvement in breathing rate, blood oxygen saturation, and systolic blood pressure. In fact, the subjects also confirmed that they felt calmer and relaxed. [4]
Research by two Iranian Universities also suggests that rose oil can help in lowering the anxiety levels during delivering a baby. [5]
May Aid in Skin Care
Rose essential oil can help to control skin texture and many keratinocyte differentiation-related skin diseases. Keratinocytes are the gatekeepers that keep your skin protected from heat, UV radiation, water loss, pathogenic bacteria, and parasites. Diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis occur when there is a distribution differentiation in keratinocytes. [6]
Rose essential oil can be of great interest to those who care a lot about their looks. It makes the scars and after marks of boils, acne, and the pox on the skin fade quickly. This includes the fading of stretch marks, surgery scars, and fat cracks associated with pregnancy and delivery. Much of this is due to the antioxidant activity of rose essential oil, which spurs on the healing processes of the skin. [7]
May Help Sedate Inflammation
Rose essential oil may calm down a patient with a high fever by sedating the inflammation. It can also be beneficial in other cases of inflammation caused by microbial infection and the ingestion of poisonous materials as it has antinociceptive properties. [8] [9]
May Treat Wounds
Ancient Persian medicine used rose oil for treating wounds as it has anti-infective properties. You can use the oil topically by diluting it with a carrier oil but make sure to consult with your doctor before trying it out. [10]
Shades of pink with rose essential oil Photo Credit: Shutterstock
May Relieve Spasms
Rose essential oil efficiently relieves spasms in the respiratory system and intestines, as well as muscular spasms in various limbs. It also helps treat convulsions, muscle pulls, cramps. [11]
May Protect Against Viruses
Getting protected from viruses or getting yourself vaccinated against all of them is a tough task since some of them continue to mutate and trick our immune system. The solution to this is to use an antiviral agent that behaves as a shield against any type of virus. Rose essential oil is one such shield, and studies have shown that it protects against many types of infections. [12]
Can Act As An Aphrodisiac
From Cupid himself to modern-day high-tech lovers, everyone knows how indispensable roses are in the romantic department. The basic element is the essential oil of the flower. The very scent of it can arouse you, and it may boost the libido while invoking romantic feelings which are essential for successful sex life. This can reduce symptoms of sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, frigidity, and general disinterest in sexual activity with partners. [13]
May Eliminate Bacteria
It is a good bactericide. It can be used in the treatment of typhoid, diarrhea, food poisoning, and other diseases that are caused by bacteria. Furthermore, it can treat internal bacterial infections like those in the colon, stomach, intestines, and urinary tract, as well as external infections on the skin, ears, eyes, and wounds. [14]
May Purify the Blood
Rose essential oil purifies the blood by helping in the removal and neutralization of toxins. Once your blood is purified and free of toxins, you are protected from boils, rashes, ulcers, and skin diseases, as well as serious conditions that free radicals can cause. [15]
Rose oil helps to boosts self-esteem, confidence, and mental strength while efficiently fighting anxiety.
May Help Ease Menstruation
Rose oil may help to relieve stomach discomfort. It is particularly effective for those suffering from obstructed and irregular menses. Massaging with rose oil mixed with carrier oil can help ease cramps, nausea, and fatigue while reducing the pain associated with menstruation and post-menopausal syndrome. [16]
May Prevent Excessive Bleeding
This property of the essential oil of rose can be very useful for people suffering from hemorrhaging (bleeding, external or internal) after an injury or surgery. This speeds up clotting and coagulation of blood and stops excessive bleeding. [17]
May Prevent Toxicity
There cannot be a laxative with a better scent than this, which is an ironic benefit for a laxative. It can serve as a harmless and effective laxative with a beautiful smell causing no adverse side effects. It may also influence the intestinal and anal muscles to help clear bowels. This may help in losing weight and preventing excessive toxicity in the body. [18]
Other Benefits
It may regulate hormone production and helps balance them. It is one of the best oils to give you shining, fresh, and youthful skin. The aroma keeps you charged and feeling happy. It may promote circulation, takes care of the heart, reduces blood pressure, and helps cure headaches, asthma, dehydration, leucorrhea, and other infections.
How to Use Rose Essential Oil?
Rose essential oil is an expensive affair and is also very potent. Hence, whenever you plan to use it- topically or internally, make sure to dilute it. The oils that are ought to blend well with it are coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and argan oil.
- Bath: Add about 5-7 drops of rose oil to a carrier oil of your choice and then add the mixture to your warm bath for a relaxing experience.
- Foot soak: Add 4-5 drops of diluted rose essential oil to warm water and soak your feet in it.
- Anxiety relief: Diffuse rose essential oil for calmness or you can also dab some diluted rose oil on your wrists, neck, and chest.
What is the difference between rose oil and rosehip seed oil?
Rose essential oil is extracted from the rose blossoms as they unfold in the early hours of dawn, whereas rosehip seed oil is extracted from the small fruits that are found behind the flower.
Did You Know?
It takes about thousands of roses to make 1 ounce of rose essential oil? This obviously explains why even a small bottle of rose oil is very expensive. However, you only need a few drops of the oil to reap its benefits so the purchase is undoubtedly worthy.
Word of Caution: It can eliminate headaches if used in mild concentrations, but its strong aroma can do just the opposite if a very high concentration is used. Being an emmenagogue, it should not be used during pregnancy, since there is no definite evidence of whether the effects of rose essential oil can be transferred to the fetus. It could possibly cause a miscarriage if taken in excess, so be careful before using it.
