Rose oil
Rose oil, also known as rose otto or attar of roses, is an essential oil extracted from the petals of various types of rose. Rose otto is extracted through steam distillation, while rose absolute, another type of rose oil, is extracted through solvent extraction or supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. The oil is widely used in perfumery, aromatherapy, and skin care products due to its complex, sweet floral scent and its therapeutic properties.
Production[edit | edit source]
The production of rose oil is a labor-intensive process that requires a large quantity of rose petals to produce a small amount of oil. The most common species of rose used in rose oil production are Rosa damascena, known as the Damask rose, and Rosa centifolia, known as the May rose or cabbage rose. The roses are harvested by hand in the early morning before sunrise and processed the same day to maximize oil yield. The Bulgarian "Rose Valley" and Turkish region near Isparta produce the majority of the world's rose oil.
Components[edit | edit source]
Rose oil contains over 300 known compounds, though the exact composition can vary depending on the rose species, cultivation method, and extraction process. Key components include citronellol, geraniol, nerol, and phenyl ethyl alcohol, which contribute to its distinctive fragrance and therapeutic properties.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Perfumery[edit | edit source]
Rose oil is a key ingredient in many perfumes and fragrances, prized for its rich, floral scent. It is often used as a middle note in perfumery, providing a harmonizing effect between the lighter top notes and deeper base notes.
Aromatherapy[edit | edit source]
In aromatherapy, rose oil is used for its supposed emotional and psychological benefits. It is believed to help alleviate anxiety, depression, and stress, promote relaxation, and improve mood.
Skin Care[edit | edit source]
Rose oil is also incorporated into various skin care products for its purported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It is said to hydrate dry skin, clear acne, reduce signs of aging, and minimize the appearance of scars.
Cultural Significance[edit | edit source]
Rose oil has a long history of use in various cultures for both its fragrance and supposed medicinal properties. It has been used in religious ceremonies, as a luxury item in ancient civilizations, and in traditional medicine practices around the world.
Challenges[edit | edit source]
The production of rose oil faces several challenges, including the high cost of production, environmental factors affecting crop yields, and the potential for adulteration due to its high value. Sustainable and ethical sourcing practices are important considerations in the rose oil industry.
| Rose oil Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
