‘The Way of The Rose is a pathway to consciously heal and transform all that inhibits your ability to fully embody beauty, truth and love in every step of your journey through life...and to then live and manifest from that vibration...
For when you align that which is above with that which is below and bring balance to left and right, yin and yang the Rose of the Heart fully blooms... you enter a unified field of presence in which all things are possible... and create heaven on earth.’
The first references to the benefits of rose oil are from ancient Egypt and date back more than 5,000 years. Roses were cultivated for beauty and health in the great ancient civilizations of Persia, Greece and Rome.
Classical cultures placed great value on the exclusivity and aesthetics of the rose; they were much prized and therefore expensive. Since the flower was not edible, the social elite grew roses as symbols of wealth and beauty.
Over and above the aesthetics of roses, the use of rose oils has historically been as both a beautifying agent and to heal a long list of ailments.
In ancient times, rose oil was prized for its ability to heal the skin. It was considered effective in treating dry and damaged skin as well as balancing oily skin. Rose Oil has been used to reduce skin redness and inflammation, repair broken capillaries, and in treating eczema and herpes.
Historically, its medicinal purposes have included use as an anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, aphrodisiac, astringent and bactericidal. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is utilized, in varying doses, for stimulating liver function, promoting scar tissue formation, purifying the blood, easing menstrual symptoms, stopping bleeding and as a sedative.
In mental health, Rose Oil has been used to relieve depression, anger, grief, fear, nervous tension and stress.
Documenting Rose Oil’s natural power from a scientific point of view began in the 17th century. Scientists started to compile medicinal uses for that included curing headaches, tired eyes and strengthening the heart.
In modern times, there have been a number of papers written on the medicinal and beautifying benefits of rose oil. This is concentrated in particular on mental health, including anxiety, blood pressure and stress. It is this area where there are legitimate and scientifically tested benefits. In 2011, the Oxford Academic published a volume in its Chemical Senses journal. A group of Japanese scientists discovered rose essential oil inhalation significantly inhibited some keys effects of chronic stress[1].
A key scientific validation of rose aromatherapy was written in 2008. The Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at a Thai University produced a paper outlining the effects of rose oil massage without even any olfactory sense involved. The chemists discovered that the rose oil caused significant decreases in breathing rates, blood oxygen saturation and stystolic blood pressure. At the emotional level, subjects rated themselves as more calm, more relaxed and less alert than subjects in the control group. The findings suggested evidence for the use of rose oil in aromatherapy to provide relief of depression and stress [2].
Another study suggested that the aroma of rose oil was relative to Diazepam (valium) in its control of anxiety. The above studies prove that the use of Rose Alchemy (Rose Oil Chemistry) is important in integrative medicine and mental health therapies.
On the spiritual plain, the power of the rose is used in conjunction with Rose Alchemy. This is a high frequency, holistic, energy re balancing modality. It is believed that roses and the codes they carry can offer support, insight and healing on a spiritual level.
For more on using roses for your health and wellbeing, and informed understanding of Rose Alchemy, get in touch with Alex Jarvis from Jarvis Hypnotherapy.
[1] Effect of “Rose Essential Oil” Inhalation on Stress-Induced Skin-Barrier Disruption in Rats and Humans, M Fukada et al. Chemical Senses, Volume 37, Issue 4, 1 May 2012, Pages 347–356, https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjr108 13 December 2011
[2] Relaxing Effect of Rose Oil on Humans, T Hongratanaworakit, NPC: Natural Product Communications 2009 Col. 4, No.2 291-296