A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME

We are all familiar with Shakespeare's quote in Romeo and Juliet "A Rose by any other name would smell so sweet" .

Since Valentines days is approaching many people think of gifts of flowers and chocolates. A very popular flower that is given is a Rose.

A rose is a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa, in the family Rosaceae, or the flower it bears. There are over a hundred species and thousands of cultivars. They form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing or trailing with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers vary in size and shape and are usually large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows and reds. Most species are native to Asia, with smaller numbers native to Europe, North America, and northwestern Africa. Species, cultivars and hybrids are all widely grown for their beauty and often are fragrant. Roses have acquired cultural significance in many societies. Rose plants range in size from compact, miniature roses, to climbers that can reach seven meters in height. Different species hybridize easily, and this has been used in the development of the wide range of garden roses.

Since we can all write pages and pages of roses, I won't. Instead I will post about Rose and how it relates to Essential Oils.

There are more than 5,000 species of roses, but the Damask and the Cabbage Rose are the most fragrant. These two are used to produce Essential Oils for Aromatherapy. Originally native to the Orient, they are now cultivated in Bulgaria, China, France, India, Italy, Morocco, Russia, Tunisia, and Turkey. They are deciduous shrubs that grow three to six feet tall. Sweet scented blossoms range in color from white to pink to red.

It takes 60,000 fresh picked roses to yield one ounce of rose oil. If the oil is pale yellow or deeper yellow or rose otto, it has a rich and spicy floral fragrance. Rose absolute is reddish orange with a heavier, sweeter sent.

Throughout history, roses have been the subject of art, literature, poetry, medicine and love.

In Roman mythology, the goddess Venus was presented with a rose as she arose from the sea.

In Roman Mythology, the blood of Aphrodite, who pricked her finger on a thorn of the rosebush while helping Adonis, colored roses red. The rose was sacred to Aphrodite and Eros.

There is a myth that attributes the thorns to Cupids arrow, which accidentally punctured the rosebush, permanently endowing it with thorns.

Roses mean confidence, beauty, enjoyment, fertility, joy, love and pleasure.

For centuries, roses have soothed the pain of fever blisters and cold sores. They have been used as a cure for digestive disorders, eye infections, headaches, menstrual difficulties, nervious tension, and skin disorders, and as a treatment for respiratory ailments and asthma. Many foods and cuisines used Rose Water in its foods and beverages.

MEDICINAL USES FOR ROSE OIL

Rose Oil has been used for mouth sores and to heal wounds. It clears congestion, eases coughs, and soothes sore throats. Rose Water clears conjunctivitis, helps heals herpes outbreaks and soothes gingivitis. It actually helps strengthen the digestive system, overcoming constipation, nausea and vomiting. It can also relieve the pain of migraine and other headaches.

Rose oil helps balance female hormones. Regulates the menstrual cycle, reduces menstrual cramps, and eases the discomforts of PMS and menopause. It can be very helpful in treating genitourinary conditions. Helpful for sexual difficulties such as frigidity and impotence particularly if they are stress related. It also stimulates circulation and tones the capillaries. Very soothing for psoriasis, excema, dermatitits, and other skin disorders by reducing inflammation. It is also gentle enough to use on babies.

BEAUTY BENEFITS

Rose oil benefits all skin types, especially mature, sensitive, dry, or damaged skin. It helps restore the moisture balance and smoothes wrinkles. It constricts tiny blood vessels, thus helping to diminish the redness of broken capillaries. Rose water is a soothing and nourishing treatment to use as a skin toner or facial mist.

EMOTIONAL EFFECTS

Rose oil nurtures the heart and encourages feelings of love and trust. It supports and soothes the emotions. It lifts depression, eases anxiety and panic, elevates spirits, and reduces stress and tension. It stabilizes mood swings, especially for postnatal depression. It calms the nerves and helps to overcome hyperactivity and insomnia. Rose oil can ease grief and sadness. It can be very helpful in eliminating feelings of disappointment, jealousy, resentment, and anger and can help dissolve emotional blocks standing in the way of happiness. It inspires creativity and activates intuition. Rose oil symbolizes love, purity, and innocence, yet it is a sensual and stimulating aphrodisiac.

HYDROSOL USES

Rose hydrosol balances the emotions and female hormones. It promotes relaxation and is helpful for PMS and stress.
It is very useful in skin care as a facial mist and skin toner, and is appropriate for all skin types as well as for many skin disorders. Rose hydrosol can be used in eyewashes. It induces feelings of compassion and love, and can be used in cooking.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about Rose Oil.

Namaste

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Essential OIls for Vibrant Health