Rose Otto

(Rosa x demascena Miller. Rosa x centifolia L)

Psycho-emotional Qualities and Indications

  • Aphrodisiac
  • Eases depression (especially post natal) and low mood
  • Eases agitation
  • Eases anger
  • Eases anxiety
  • Fear and paranoia
  • Grief, bereavement and sense of loss
  • Hatred
  • Headaches (tension and hormonal)
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Insomnia (low dose)
  • Jealousy
  • Migraine
  • Mood swings
  • Nervous tension
  • Panic attacks
  • Pre-menstrual tension (PMT) / menopausal symptoms
  • Resentment and disappointment
  • Sadness and despair
  • Sedative at low dose / stimulant at high dose
  • Shock
  • Stress and stress related tension and conditions

Safety Information

Non-irritant, non-toxic, non-sensitising (highly perfumed, use in reduced dose).  Rose absolute is potentially irritant and sensitising (the image depicts Rose Absolute).  Very expensive to produce, so this oil is often adulterated.  Purchase from a reputable supplier. Do not take orally / ingest.

Background ‘droplet’

Although native to the Middle East and Orient, the largest producers of rose essential oil today are Bulgaria, Turkey, and France.

A deciduous informally shaped shrub, with curved prickles, pinnate leaves, and relatively small pink to light red highly fragrant numerous-petalled flowers.

There are several species, however, demascena and centifolia are the most common essential producing species.

The essential oil is steam distilled from freshly picked petals.

It takes 2,500 to 4,000kg of petals to produce 1kg of essential oil.

The essential oil is pale yellow or olive-yellow, with a complex scent that is rich, intense, sweet, beeswax-like, and highly floral.

Rose essential oil is very expensive to purchase and is often adulterated (make sure you buy this oil from a reputable supplier).

Although the absolute is not a ‘pure’ essential oil, it is slightly less expensive, and retains much the same scent profile as that of the original blossoms.

Rose essential oil has multiple qualities, especially skin care, respiratory, and is an immune stimulant.

Rose’s psycho-emotional qualities are numerous; easing anger, nervous tension, shock, stress and stress related conditions, among many other qualities.

Energetic qualities

Rose Otto: Ether, Air, Water, Metal. Yin

Rose Absolute: Earth, Wood, Fire.  Yang, Yin

You will find further information about this essential oil in Heathers bestselling books Healing with Essential Oils, Essential Oils for Mindfulness and Meditation, and Essential Oils for the Whole Body