All sexy and oiled up! (Rose)

Member Name: KathrynMackinnon

Product:	Rose
Date:	14/04/01 (225 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wonderful smell and therapeutic properties

Disadvantages: Fairly expensive to buy undiluted

The rose is a very ancient flower, dating back over 40 million years - according to fossils. Being a very hardy plant, it can withstand extremes of temperature from polar cold to tropical heat - this capacity for survival makes me think that it must be as powerful as they say it is - as well as smelling lovely!

The essential oil, which has a floral, warm 'rosy' aroma, is removed from the petals by process of steam distillation, this is a very expensive process as rose petals are needed in huge quantities in order to produce a very small amount of oil, this results in the essential oil being very expensive too - at around £20 for 2.5mls ( not much oil at all).
It is very powerful however, and only a small amount is needed at a time - you can buy a dilute version from The Body Shop at around £6 for 10mls - this is obviously less potent, but still smells quite strong.

A lovely by-product of the steam distillation process is rose-water, this is much less expensive than oil and has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being a mild astringent, it is suitable for use on sensitive and dry skin. If you're feeling a bit puffy, put some on cotton pads and place over the eyes to relax and refresh them.

Therapeutically, rose can be used to treat many disorders of the female reproductive system, including PMT, menopause and irregular periods., it strengthens and tonifies the euterus, often helping women prone to miscarriage. It is also an effective anti depressive, useful for post-natal depression or following the breakdown of a relationship ( prevents feelings of resentfulness and bitterness), it is also a great aphrodisiac and is liked by both men and women , this is why rose petals were scattered on the beds of virgin brides in Roman times - and still sometimes nowadays if you're that way inclined!

It seems to have a good effect on physical self-perception and is a good one to use if you are going out f
or the night and need a bit of a boost, and also in the more serious treatment of people suffering from anorexia and bulimia.

Due to its low toxicity, it can be used in a variety of ways and even to treat hyperactivity in children.
It helps to reduce feelings of nausea, constipation, soothes gastric ulcer painetc etc etc etc and basically does everything you might want an oil to do!

My favourite blend at the moment is:-rose-4drops, bergamot-2drops, jasmine-6drops, sandalwood-2drops, coriander-2drops, 2tbsp of almond carrier oil.
Mix all of this together and use it as a sexy/sensual/relaxing massage(at the same time the bergamot will detoxifying any cellulite!) and if you want to add it to your bath, double the essential oil quantities and 2tsp to each bath. Lovely, mmmmm!

You can put rose into an oil burner, diluted in water, or wear it as a perfume neat on the skin. If you want to be really clever - you can add up to 18 drops of combined essential oils to 30ml/2tsp vodka and store in a glass perfume bottle. The traditional blend for Angel Oil is Jasmine, Rose and Sandalwood.

A good book on the subject of essential oils is 'Essential Oils - Susan Curtis' made for Neal's Yard Remedies ISBN:-1-85410-413-6 - £9.99 (I got mine at the Neal's Yard Shop near me)

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