Coming up roses
Not only do roses smell good, but rose oil can provide therapy for heartbreak and sensitive skins
Roses have been valued for their fragrance and therapeutic properties by many cultures for centuries. Of course, nowadays, many types of rose have been hybridised, resulting in loss of smell in exchange for exotic colours. But here we are not talking about chemically choked, hybridised roses that are grown for making wedding bouquets and vase arrangements, but of the roses cultivated to produce essential oil and extract of rose.
Using products containing genuine essential oil of rose is good for you. When you sniff a genuine and natural essential oil, plant extract or even the fragrant part of the plant itself (think citrus peel, cinnamon, lavender etc.), you are actually inhaling tiny molecules which not only send messages to the brain but also, to some extent, manage to be absorbed into the blood.
Rose is one of the most exquisite and beneficial essences, or essential oils, of all and, when included as an ingredient in good quality oils, lotions or floral waters and applied to the skin, offers great benefits. You have to like the smell though, as with any essential oil or essence, because generally speaking, if you love the smell of a particular plant extract in its natural state, then it is right for you.
Products containing natural, genuine essential oil or extract of rose offer the physiological, psychological and skincare benefits of the extract, but effects will be largely determined by the quality of other ingredients and by the percentage of rose oil used. When you take into account that essential oil of rose is the most expensive of all to produce, needing hundreds of kilos of petals to produce just a tiny amount, you can appreciate that not many skin care, bath or household products actually use the real thing to fragrance their products. Even so, if the quality of the products is good they are still a joy to use, as they leave a divine rosy smell in their wake. Reading ingredients lists will tell you if essential oil of rose is in there or not (look for Rosa centifolia, Rosa damascene or Rosa gallica).
Rose has an amazing ability to soothe and calm red, sensitive skins of any age or type and is particularly good for dry and mature complexions. It strengthens thread veins and calms dilated and broken capillaries.
Physiologically it is revered as a tonic for the heart, uterus and helps balance and strengthen the stomach, especially where there is upset and tension.
Psychologically and emotionally, it is an anti-depressant and really supports at times of grief, loss, disappointment and when suffering from a broken heart. If you feel unloved it will help you feel nurtured. It is useful for male and female difficulties of a sexual nature, helping people to relax and find their natural, innocent sensuality.
A family-run company in the village of Agros, near Limassol, produces organic rose oil, a rose water tonic for the skin, face creams and other products. It is the only company to produce organic rose products in Cyprus (Tel: 25 521893, www.venus-rose.com).
Crabtree & Evelyn Eau Fraiche £14.50 Tel: 25 370500
L’Occitane candle £22.50 Tel: 22 818151
Agent Provocateur Rose Passion Oil £32.44 From Debenhams and Shisheido shop
Organic Pharmacy Rose Facial Spritz £19 Tel: 26 888000 (Anassa Hotel)
Venus-Rose Organic Rosewater tonic £4.90 Tel: 25 521893 (www.venus-rose.com)
Jurlique Rose Body Oil £27 Tel: 25 814844
Stella McCartney fragrance £40 From: department stores
Appivita Rosewater £11.75 From: selected pharmacies
Korres Wild Rose Mask £8.40 From: department stores and selected pharmacies
