Natures Table - essential oils part 15 by Annalies Schmaltz

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Natures Table / essential oil part 15

Rose Otto one of the most calming and soothing essential oils. The Queen of flowers is believed to be one of the earliest flowering plants ever cultivated and is steeped in myth and magic. The rose has inspired poets and artists for centuries and is known to be the symbol of Love and Beauty. Associated with most religions, it appears in the sacred texts of ancient India and China, the writings of Christian mystics, and the religious texts of the Greeks, The Romans and the Gaul's would often go into battle with only a crown of roses for a helmet, to show their fearlessness.

Although the Rose is used for its precious perfume material, it seems that in early civilizations they didn't use the distillation process. Instead, the perfume was preserved by steeping the petals in oil or animal fat. By the 10th century ad, however, the Persian physician Avicenna had perfected steam distillation and created the first rosewater.

By the turn of the 16th century, the essential oil or 'attar of roses' was discovered by chance.
At the wedding feast of the Mogul Princess Nour-Djihan, a canal circling the palace gardens was
filled with rosewater and covered with rose petals. The bridal pair, while rowing on the fragrant water, noticed an oily substance floating on the surface. It was skimmed off and found to be an exquisite perfume. The heat of the sun had begun a process of natural distillation. After that, the production of rose-otto ( the traditional name for the steam distilled essential oil) began. By the 17th century the distilleries of Shiraz were highly productive. From Persia, the cultivation and distillation of roses spread to India, then Turkey and the rest of Europe.

There are numerous species and hybrids of wild and cultivated roses. Most have culinary and medicinal properties. Two however, which are heavily scented species are valued for their essential oil and rosewater are the damask rose, ( Rosa damascena) and the cabbage rose ( Rosa centifolia).
The damask grows to be 1.5mtrs tall, producing an abundance of 36-petalled pale pink flowers and bright red rose-hips. Although they are native to Syria, they are also cultivated in mainly Bulgaria and Turkey for the production of rose otto. The slightly taller cabbage rose is so called because its many petalled, pink flowers fold over like a cabbage leaves. The birthplace of the cabbage rose is said to be ancient Persia, although it is now cultivated mainly in Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, France and China for its essential oil.

Obtaining of the Rose Oil.

There are two types of rose oil commonly available. Rose Otto, captured by steam distillation of the fresh petals and Rose Absolute, obtained by solvent extraction of the fresh petals. Solvent extraction uses volatile chemicals such as petroleum ether and hexane. Because of this, the distilled rose otto is generally preferred for aromatherapy. Rosewater is a by-product of distillation. Rose otto is virtually colourless and semi-solid at cool temperatures. The steam-distilled Rose otto is one of the most expensive essential oils, because the flowers secret such a minute amount. It requires 60.000 roses (57kg) to make 28g of rose otto. The solvent-extracted rose absolute is less expensive because a great deal more of it is produced, mainly for the perfume industry. The fragrance of rose otto is sweet and mellow with a hint of cloves and vanilla. Rose absolute is a deep yellow slightly viscous liquid with a sweet, mellow scent. The odour effect of both is warming and relaxing, and reputedly aphrodisiac.

Healing Powers:

In the Middle Ages apothecaries prescribed rose for tuberculosis. Teas made from the petals and or leaves were used for poor circulation and digestive problems, irregular and painful periods, liver congestion,fevers, eye infections, skin complaints,headaches and nervous tension.
Rose-hips, particularly those of the wild rose have a high amount of vitamin C, containing four times as much as blackcurrants and ten times the amount in oranges and lemons. Rose-hips were recognized as a rich source of vitamin C during the Second World War, this prompted the British
ministry of Health to distribute Rose-hip syrup. Now, people are wary of taking it because of its high sugar content, and rose-hip tea is a healthier alternative. In aromatherapy, Rose Otto is seen as the supreme tonic for the female reproductive system. It can also benefit anyone with a nervous disposition. To calm and soothe, massage the diluted oil into the solar plexus or add a few drops of pure essential oil to your bath. Rose Otto is also a marvellous skin care oil..distilled rosewater is one of the finest skin tonics, it can even help soothe stress-related eczema. Cotton wool pads soaked in rosewater, applied as a compress, soothe sore, itchy and tired eyes.

Rose-hip seed oil is an increasingly popular aromatherapy product. This 'fixed' vegetable oil is extracted from the hairy achenes (known as seeds) enclosed in the rose-hip. This light-textured, vitamin rich oil is believed to promote the regeneration of healthy skin cells. With or without the addition of essential oils, it makes a perfect skin care oil for the face and neck.

When using pure rose oil, in cool temperatures, rose otto is semi-solid but becomes liquid with the slightest warmth. In cooler weather, simply roll the bottle of pure essential oil between your palms for a few seconds.

To enhance rose otto for a relaxing and sensuous effect blend with other floral oils such as:
Jasmine, neroli, and ylang ylang. It harmonizes with oils from many herbs, woods and resins (incense like aroma's) especially clary sage, lavender, sandalwood and frankincense. To awaken its soft mellow scent, blend it with citrus oils and a hint of spice.

For the bath:
5 ml diluted rose otto essential oil
2 drops pure bergamot essential oil
1 drop pure lemon essential oil
1 drop pure coriander essential oil
Blend the pure essential oils with the diluted rose otto, then add to a bath full of warm water.

For those more creative:
Strawberry leaf and rose skin tonic:
gather wild strawberry or blackberry leaves from the hedgerows to make this excellent
astringent tonic (or aftershave lotion) for greasy skin.
5 g fresh strawberry or blackberry leaves(cultivated or wild)
100 ml boiling water (preferably bottled water)
5 ml cider vinegar
1 drop pure rose otto essential oil
plastic funnel, dark glass bottle, 2 heatproof jugs

Put the strawberry or blackberry leaves into a heatproof jug, add the boiling water and infuse
for 15 minutes. Put the cider vinegar into another jug, then stir in the rose otto essential oil. Strain the leaf infusion and discard the leaves, add it to the rose vinegar mixture and stir. Pour through a plastic funnel into a clean dark glass bottle. Apply to the skin after cleansing or shaving. Keeps for up to 3 days if stored in the fridge.
Rose petal skin cream:

If you grow roses (preferably organic) use rose petal tea instead of rosewater – add
150 ml boiling water to 5g rose petals, and infuse for 10 minutes.

1 level tsp beeswax granules (or 2 level tsp grated beeswax if using a block)
10 ml sweet almond oil
20 ml rose-hip oil, apricot kernel oil or calendula oil
15 ml rosewater ( or rose petal tea, see above recipe)
2 drops pure rose otto essential oil


Put the beeswax, sweet almond oil and rose-hip, apricot kernel or calendula oil in a heatproof bowl
over a pan of simmering water and stir until the beeswax has completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and slowly stir in the rosewater (or rose petal tea). Keep stirring while the cream begins to cool, then add the rose otto essential oil. Spoon the mixture into clean glass pot with a tight-fitting lid. It will keep for 3 months if stored in the fridge. (If you use the rose petal tea, store for no longer than a month, otherwise mould may develop). Avoid dipping your fingers into the cream, use a teaspoon or cosmetic spatula.

Rose lip balm:

1 tsp beeswax granules ( or 2tsp grated beeswax if using a block)
4 tsp jojoba
½ tsp clear honey
½ cm red lipstick (optional)
1 drop pure rose otto essential oil

Put the beeswax, jojoba, honey (and lipstick if using) in a heatproof basin over a pan of simmering water. Stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat, add the essential oil and stir thoroughly. Pour into a spotlessly clean glass pot with a tight-fitting lid.


In the Home:

Burner blend:
This can be made to use a couple of times.

Rosewater and/or orange-flower water to fill the burner reservoir
mix
4 drops pure rose otto essential oil
8 drops pure geranium essential oil
2 drops pure palmarosa essential oil
10 drops pure mandarin essential oil
4 drops pure lemon essential oil
Pipette (from chemists)
Put the essential oils into a small, dark glass bottle. Fill the burner with rose-water and/or orange-flower water. Using a pipette, add up to 6 drops of the blend. Light the candle underneath and enjoy the fragrance.




Healing with rose otto.
Rose otto is a wonderful essential oil for reducing stress or for giving back your energy when you are feeling down. It can also ease the symptoms of respiratory problems such as hay fever.
It is excellent to use for skin care, particularly for dry, mature and sensitive skin. Also helpful for hay-fever, coughs, catarrh, fevers, palpitations, headaches, poor circulation, nausea, PMS and irregular periods outside pregnancy.

It calms the nerves and uplifts the spirits. Helpful for nervous tension, insomnia, mild depression and other stress-relate complaints.

Rose-hip tonic.
The high vitamin C content of rose-hip tisane, or tea, makes it an excellent winter or spring tonic, helping the body's defences against infections and restoring energy levels. Combined with an aromatic friction rub its powers are greatly enhanced. Dried rose-hips can be obtained from herbal suppliers, health shops, or try rose-hip teabags.

6 tsp dried rose-hips
600 ml water (still bottled spring water if possible)
Honey to sweeten

Put the rose-hips in a stainless steel, enamel or heatproof glass saucepan, add the water and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes, and then strain. Add the honey to sweeten. Drink a teacupful 3-4 times a day. The tisane may be gently re-heated once or twice but will lose its properties after reheating more than 3 times.

Aromatic friction rub:
Use every morning for 2 weeks after bath or shower. Apply to your body using brisk, hand over hand movements towards the heart to improve circulation. Don't forget your soles and scalp, but avoid the face.

15 ml cider vinegar
1 drop pure geranium essential oil
1 drop pure lemon essential oil'
1 drop pure juniper berry essential oil
2 drops pure rose otto essential oil
300 ml distilled water or still bottled mineral water.

Put the vinegar into a dark glass bottle, add the oils and shake well. Top up with the water and shake again. Shake before use to disperse oil droplets.

For mild depression, nervous tension and insomnia, put on a tissue 1 drop rose otto or 2 drops of lavender, inhale regularly.

Teas: (Ideal for nervous tension, mild depression and insomnia)

15 g heavily scented, unsprayed fresh rose petals ( no pesticides must have been used on these!!!)
5 g dried lemon balm ( or 10g fresh lemon balm)
5 g dried lavender flowers ( or 10g fresh lavender flowers)
600 ml boiling water (bottled or filtered)
Lemon slices and honey (optional)

Put the rose petals, lemon balm and lavender in a teapot, add the boiling water and infuse
for 15 minutes. Drink a teacupful 3 times a day, hot or cold. Add a slice of lemon and honey (optional).

Or:
4 tsp dried rose-hips
1 tsp dried lavender
600 ml water (bottled or filtered)
Honey to sweeten.

Put the rose-hips and lavender in a stainless steel, enamel or heatproof glass saucepan and prepare as for Rose-hip tonic tisane. Drink a teacupful 2-3 times daily, sweetened with honey.

Hay fever Balm:

Rose otto oil soothes respiratory ailments of the nose, throat and sinuses, and can lessen the symptoms of hay fever. The petroleum jelly is a carrier for the rose oil, which can then evaporate and enter the nasal cavities without being absorbed by the skin, the jelly also traps pollen particles that trigger attacks.

2 tsp petroleum jelly
4 drops pure rose otto essential oil.

Put the jelly into a spotlessly clean jar. Stir in the rose otto with a teaspoon handle. Apply a tiny amount to the nostrils two or three times a day.

Rose and oatmeal nervine bath:

4tsp fine oatmeal
1 piece muslin, about 30cm square
thin ribbon or sewing thread
4 drops pure rose otto essential oil

Spoon the oatmeal onto the muslin, gather it up and tie tightly with ribbon or thread. Put the bag into the bath, then fill with warm water, add the rose otto and swish around to disperse. Stroke the oatmeal bag over your body as you relax in the water. Oatmeal added to the bath, soothes sore, itchy or irritated skin triggered by nervous anxiety.