Rose Otto and Absolute Oils: Healing Aromatherapy For Our Times
The Rose has been an
enduring symbol of love and beauty throughout history. The flower
itself is beautifully complex, with deep hues, luxuriant petals, and an
Absolutely wonderful aroma. This same beauty is found in the aromatic
oils made from Rose flowers. Not only is the smell sweet, rich and
distinctive, but it so happens that Rose oil has the most
diverse healing applications of any essential oil used in
aromatherapy today. The oil is considered a supreme healer of both the
body and soul, and it is very easy to use with basic natural healing
techniques.
Rose essential oil is becoming more popular, which is interesting at
this time where its unique healing applications may be most needed the
world over. True Rose oils are the number one choice for opening of the
heart chakra, an opening that many individuals are seeking to inspire;
this heart-opening action is evidence of the true symbol of love. Rose
essential oil is a premier ingredient in the finest skin care products
as well, revealing its potential to enhance beauty. Further, it's an
effective antiviral and antidepressant...All this in one tiny
concentrated bottle. What makes Rose oil so special, and how can anyone
(not just the natural health enthusiasts) make use of its abundant
healing actions?
True are Rose essential oil is truly a remarkable liquid. A few drops
of oil is actually the aromatic concentrate of thousands of roses; the
yield by weight is on the order of one-to-5000. This means it takes on
average 5000 pounds of roses to make 1 pound of true Rose oil. And the
oil itself is not so simple; there are well over 200 identifiable
natural chemicals that make up the oil of Rose. It is the number of
Roses is needed to make a drop of essential oil that gives the oil its
potency -- and the number of natural chemicals within the oil that give
it its great variety of their actions.
There are two distinct types of Rose oil in use today, distinguished by
the distillation techniques from which they were made. Rose Absolute is
the solvent extract of Rose petals -- Roses are immersed in a solvent
such as ethanol, which draws the aromatic oil out of the flower. The
ethanol is then evaporated off, leaving the deep red colored aromatic
concentrate behind. Rose absolute is most close to the natural Rose
aroma, smelling like a fresh cut flower. Rose Otto is the steam
distilled essential oil of Rose; because it is steam distilled Otto is
considered true Rose 'essential oil'. The most highly prized varieties
of both oil are produced in Bulgaria, though other countries such as
Turkey and Morocco also distill excellent Rose oils.
The alternative health applications of Rose oil are many. On a
physiological level, Rose Otto is a strong antiviral, used primarily to
treat herpes and shingles outbreaks. The Otto is also exceptionally
beneficial to the female reproductive organs. It acts as a tonic for
the whole system, and can be diluted in an aromatherapy carrier oil and
massaged into the pelvic region for this effect. It is said to be both
a regulating and purifying agent, and may help with infertility and
other conditions of the uterus.
The most common therapeutic application may be for healing the skin, as
Rose extracts are found in many of the world's finest cosmetics. Rose
Otto can reduce inflammation, heal capillaries, hydrate and soften, and
act as it an effective astringent and antiseptic. Including a 1%
concentration in any skincare formula can vastly improve its beauty
enhancing ability. Rose water ('leftover' from the distillation
process) is an excellent beauty care preparation unto itself. The
water, called 'Rose hydrosol' is often used with a cotton ball as a
cleansing tonic for the face.
The most important healing effect may be roses ability to open the
heart. When the world around us seems exceptionally challenging, it is
particularly important to keep our hearts open. Simply the aroma of
either the absolute or the Otto can do this -- our olfactory sense is
intimately connected to the emotional center of our brain, and our
brains and hearts talk to one another constantly. The aroma of the
floral symbol of love just happens to signal to the system to unlock
the heart chakra, making it easier for us to both give and receive
love. Either oil (the Otto or the Absolute -- you should investigate
which one works best for you) can impart this effect. They may be
dabbed on the heart area and wrists at full strength, or diluted in
organic Jojoba oil to your desired strength and worn anywhere as a
natural perfume (keep in mind Rose Absolute's deep red color will leave
this color on whatever it touches before it is absorbed). Many whom use
the oil in this manner describe an uplifted sense in their emotions,
and even more open and kind reactions from those around them.
Employing the healing properties of Rose oils is fun and easy to do.
Both the Otto and Absolute are safe, and can be used undiluted whenever
desired. They are both considered highly potent, and diluting them in a
carrier oil will not reduce their efficacy however. A 5 to 10% dilution
is most often used for personal perfume, a 1 to 3% dilution as a
massage oil, and a 1 to 2% dilution and beauty care preparations.
Either oil is excellent for use in even the simplest of aromatherapy
diffusers, by themselves or blended with other aromatics of your
choice. There are other aromatherapy methods of course, and you should
use your intuition to guide you for the most appropriate technique.
Rose essential oil, and particularly Rose Otto has the potential to be
very very healing, and even tranformational. It may be that this
revered symbol of beauty and love is now offering us its incredible
health-giving effects in its most concentrated and portable form. If
Rose oil sound right for you, it's encouraged that you give it a try --
every little bit one can do to open their hearts and bring out their
light will make the world a better place for everyone.
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