Original, Rose oil is one the unique, and most expensive essential oils, that is rarely used in Aromatherapy. This is due to a very small content of Rose oil in Rose flowers, which is only less than 0.02 percent by weight.
Rose flower is one of the most beautiful flowers. The soft Rose petals and their fragrance, have a close link, with the romantic tales of ancient kings and queens, from the times of Persians, Babylonians and Romans. Rose water and Rose otta, is very popular in India. It was one of the widely traded merchandise from the shores of India to Rome. It has a scintillating fragrance that has fascinated, the rich and famous, over centuries.
A quantity of 10 tons of fresh rose flower will yield only 2 kgs of Rose oil, by solvent extrcation. Rose oil is also obtained by steam distillation but the yield and quantity is still less, than solvent extracted Rose Oil.
Rose flower is a very delicate flower, and it needs a special attention, while extracting the Rose oil. Rose flowers are cultivated in southern Bulgaria in the valley of Stryama and also in Morocco.
Rose oil, Rose water, Rose otta and Rose absolute are four products derived from Rose flowers. Different processes obtain different products and each product has applications of their own. In ancient India, a process called ‘maceration’ where rose flowers are macerated with hot fat to form ‘pomades’ extracted Rose oil. These pomades slowly melts in the heat and spread the fragrance.
However the modern methods of extraction, produces the highest quality of Rose oil. The rose flowers are picked early in the morning before the sunrise to avoid withering. The freshly plucked flowers opens up and they are charged into extraction vesssels, made out of stainless steel. The extraction vessel has perforated stainless steel sieves. The charged flowers are gently dipped into a solvent, few times and then, the spent flowers are discharged. The solvent with extracted Rose oil, is separated and then evaporated in a separate still.
The condensate is called Rose Water. The remaining oils in the still are Rose oil with traces of solvents. They are further washed with absolute alcohol and purified to get Rose absolute, which is a premium product. Rose oil also can be obtained by steam distillation, but the quality is slightly inferior.
Most of the Aroma therapists use ‘Rose water’ rather than Rose oil, in the preparation, due to the high cost. The modern technology has a method of preserving fresh flowers for several months, by ‘Freeze drying’. The freeze-dried Rose flowers can be extracted by solvent extraction or by super critical extraction method, using inert solvents. These methods preserve the original fragrance and qualities of a fresh Rose flower. A trace of Rose oil is good enough to stimulate and invigorate the mind of the people.
Rose oil is certainly a gift of nature, and an important ingredient, in the practise of modern Aromatherapy. They are packed in small exotic glass bottles, with works of craftsmanship.
