COMMON NAME: Rose Absolute, French Rose, Moroccan Rose, Indian Rose, Cabbage Rose

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rosa centifolia

FAMILY NAME: Rosaceae (Rose)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Mediterranian, Ancient Persia

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Morocco

HISTORY INFORMATION: In ancient times rose oil was considered more precious and valuable than gold. It was used for its fragrance and therapeutic properties. The Romans ate rose petals with honey. The fragrance symbolized love and beauty. Native Americans used roses to cure venereal disease, coughs, sores, stomach and liver disorders. The rose hips are high in vitamin C and a natural food. Today the rose scent, primarily synthetic, is found in 90% of women's fragrances.

GENERAL INFORMATION: There are many subspecies and varieties but most are a cross between R. centifolia (pink rose) and R. gallica (dark red rose). This absolute is not essential or being steam distilled from the petals, but this absolute is solvent extracted. The scent is considered by many as better than the distilled and some of the healing properties can be destroyed in the heat distillation. There is an essential oil from this rose, but it is very expensive. This absolute is also not to be confused with the famous Bulgarian Rose Oil, or Otto of Rose, or Attar of Rose (Rosa damascena) which is usually in oil form, but also found as an absolute. This oil is very expensive as volumes of rose petals are needed to distill the oil. Far less petals are needed to create the absolute. Rose water is created as a byproduct of the distillation. I have read that the damascena variety does not produce as much oil as the centifolia. Another variety found on the market is the Japanese or Chinese Rose (R. rugosa). Rose oil is often adulterated with geranium or palmarosa. Modern hybridizing has decreased the rose scent in most roses available at the florist.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: A perennial shrub or bush growing to 8ft high with a mass of pink flowers.

PARTS PROCESSED: Petals

PROCESSING METHODS: Solvent extracted,. Steam distilled.

COLOR RANGE: Red. Light yellow.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Very complex with many unidentified. To 63% phenyl ethanol, to 22% citronellol, 15% geraniol, nerol.

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, choleric, cicatrizant, depurative, emmenagogue, hemostatic, hepatic, laxative, sedative, stomachic, tonic(heart, liver, uterus). Used for dry skin, wrinkles, sensitive skin - especially babies', asthma, coughs, hay fever, sore throats, poor circulation, tuberculosis, liver congestion, hangovers, irregular menstruation, painful periods, impotence, frigidity, depression, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension, PMS, menopause, apathy. Used to cool, calm the nerves, relieve anxiety, promote sleep, uplift moods, improve mental clarity, meditate, soothe irritated or sensitive skin.

MENTAL USES: I love me. I am whole. I love my spiritual side and I love my physical side.

EMOTIONAL USES: Self-contempt and self-hatred, selfish, feeling unloved and unwanted, feeling condemned, abandonment issues, apathetic, depressed, suicidal TO self-loving, selfless, serving, happy, in love with self and life.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate you have self-destructive tendencies or hold yourself in contempt. You may feel your are not attractive or undesirable. Your breasts or penis are too small or you are too fat. You could have a poor self image, or you just don’t think much of yourself. Rose absolute infuses the energy body with light and love. Although the scent is very sweet and delicate, this is a powerful oil in high doses and should not be used unless you have spiritual guidance. The oil will clear out any sense of self loathing, hate or disrespect and most of us fall in that category. It helps you to connect, especially physically, in a very loving and accepting way allowing for physical love to happen easily and effortlessly. Rose can be wonderful, but also it can lead you into a journey of the very sewer of your existence or it could just lead you out of the sewers.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath, compress, fragrance, inhaler, light bulb ring, lotion, massage, mist spray, perfume

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic and non irritating at low dosage. This is an absolute so do not take internally.