Rose Absolute
(Rosa × damascena Mill. / Rosa centifolia L.)
Aroma and character
Deep, rich, honeyed floral scent. A thick, dark orange-red oil, solvent-extracted from the petals.
Benefits
Calming, mood-lifting, soothing to skin, mildly antiseptic, and traditionally a uterine tonic and aphrodisiac.
Detailed uses
Emotional
stress, grief, low mood, and loneliness (1-2 drops in a diffuser, or on a tissue).
Skin
dry, mature, or dull skin (1-3 drops in 30 ml rosehip or jojoba oil, about 0.2-0.5%).
Women's health
menstrual cramps and PMS tension (0.5-1% abdominal massage, alone or with lavender).
Perfumery
natural perfume blends with sandalwood, jasmine, or patchouli.
Bath
2-3 drops mixed into honey or milk first.
Herbal medicine
Rose petal tea is used for nervous tension, mild digestive upset, and sore throat. Rose water and Bulgarian rose petal jam are traditional soothing preparations for the throat and stomach.
In Chinese medicine, dried rose buds are used for stagnation and menstrual discomfort.