Why are rose petals thrown at weddings? Why is a rose given on valentines? And why does a rose sit at the heart of Disney’s epic love tale, The Beauty and the Beast? There is no flower more universally understood than the rose and its symbolic expression of love. From Cleopatra, Greek Goddess Aphrodite and even the works of Shakespeare, the rose is entwined across literature, mythology and sacred rituals and still stands today, as a timeless icon of beauty and the ultimate celebration of love.
The uplifting aroma of rose promotes self-love and comfort. A nurturing sedative for the nervous system, its soothing fragrance can reduce stress and lower the heart rate helping to calm fear and anxiety. In spiritual realms, rose is associated with the heart chakra, inducing forgiveness and compassion for oneself and others.
While any rose is enchanting, from over 300 species, there is one that stands out above the rest — the damask. An old garden rose, pink or light red with velvety petals, this is a rose so fragrant and so beautiful, it’s heralded by the world of fragrance and skincare.
Sensuality and beauty are the damask’s main qualities, but it’s also prized for its therapeutic benefits. Warm and relaxing, it has an incredible ability to restore psycho-emotional harmony, making it helpful for nervous anxiety, depression and even insomnia. Its use in skincare is thanks to its exceptional moisturising properties and ability to soothe and calm the skin.
It takes more than four tonnes of petals to produce one kilogram of essential oil from the damask rose. So using a product with this ingredient is akin to showering or bathing in a sea of rose petals. We think this very thought alone is enough to induce higher vibrations of love and relaxation. Pass the rose oil please.