Rose
S C E N T P R O F I L E
Rosa Centifolia, otherwise known as Rose, from the Rosaceae family, is a perennial flowering plant native to Asia, Europe, North America and northwestern Africa. There are more than 150 species of roses that range from pure white to intense, dramatic red and they grow in a variety of shrubby plants, climbers and more.
Roses are, of course, a classic flower, fragrance and symbol in the present day but archaeologists have actually discovered rose fossils dating back to 35 million years ago. The oldest rose is even 1,000 years old and can be found growing on a wall of the Hildesheim Cathedral in northern Germany.
Over its ancient lifespan, roses have garnered a multitude of uses in perfumery, medicine and in culinary. Their petals, for example, are edible and when soaked in water, create rose water to add into jellies or jams, and this is often used to flavour Indian and Chinese cuisine. Roses' berry-shaped, Rose Hip, is also used to make jams or jellies, create tea and is added to other beverages. Due to its high Vitamin C content, rose hip is often cited to have minor medicinal uses and is now used in food supplements.
Whilst the health benefits of Rose are not well supported by science, roses have been used in herbal, folk and traditional Chinese medicine for many years. They have, for instance, been said to treat stomach issues, depression, anxiety and are also added into skincare.
Unsurprisingly, Rose has always been an incredibly popular scent in the perfume industry. Its fragrance is feminine and fresh with powderdy, floral notes and, of course, is symbolically romantic. It is specifically the rose oil which is used in perfumery for the flower’s fragrance, acquired through the process of steam distilling the crushed petals. With a transparent pale yellow or yellow-grey colour, this oil requires a large amount of roses to be produced - just one gram of rose is obtained from two-thousand roses.
At The Master Herbalist, we have beautifully fresh, rose fragranced products. Our rose scented drawer liners and wardrobe fresheners are both available in the William Morris ‘Pinks and Roses’ design in the colours pink or duck-egg blue.
Shop the collection here.
Resources:
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/roses/rose-facts/
https://www.flowerweb.com/en/article/195137/15-Amazing-Facts-about-Roses
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose
https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/natural-health-guide/benefits/rose
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/g4944/best-rose-scented-perfumes/
https://www.fragrantica.com/notes/Rose-105.html
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rose-tea#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
