Hopefully, everyone had a pleasing "I love you day" (aka Valentine's Day) this year! With gardening growing in extra popularity, most of us have an increased interest in learning about plants, especially those we wish to place in our landscape. It is not just where to place them and with what to pair it with (a topic in itself), but we also consider how much sun the plants like, what kind of soil they do best in, how much water is best for the conditions of the day, and of course the best quality soil mixture. Let's apply this to roses!
As a florist through college, I can attest to the enjoyment of flowers, with roses being an especially popular choice for special loved ones every February 14th (or thereabouts). Another big day to give flowers in my experience is Mother's Day! They were also popular when husbands were in the occasional doghouse, commemorating special occasions, and honoring loved ones.
Roses have been popular for thousands of years in gardens around the world. Aside from the thorns along the stems of most roses, most of us enjoy their beauty & aroma in our own gardens and inside our houses, sometimes with other beautifully arranged cut flowers. However, you may not have realized a whole other side to roses, as well as some neat trivia! An amazing side to consider with roses is that some species are highly sought after for their many beneficial properties in their essential oil form. I am specifically referring to the Bulgarian Rosa damascena species, also known as the Damask rose. It is a small deciduous shrub with thorny stems grown in Bulgaria for the best quality. It grows to 7' 3" tall. The leaves are pinnate, with five (rarely seven) leaflets. The roses range from a light to moderate pink, to light red. The relatively small flowers grow in groups. The bush has an informal shape that is considered an important type of Old Rose, that is important for its prominent place in the pedigree of many other types.
Did you know that Bulgaria produces over half of the world's supply of Rose essential oil? The labor-intensive production process has an exceptionally low yield! You may find it astonishing to know that it takes more than 10,000 freshly picked rose blossoms to produce only one 5mL bottle of this Rose essential oil. Because Rose petals are so delicate, the distillation process must happen the same day that the flower is harvested. From this labor comes an essential oil known for its sweet floral aroma that is as beautiful and romantic as it is soothing and stress-relieving. Now this is a perfume worth having for its side-benefits that pair with a wonderful aroma! When diffused, Rose oil uplifts your spirits with feelings of love, care, and comfort. Another popular use is the topical application of Rose essential oil in daily skin care routines. It helps balance moisture levels in skin, reduces the appearance of skin imperfections, and promotes an even, healthy-looking skin tone. It is no wonder that Cleopatra used Rose essential oil in her rigorous skincare routines. Due to the price of pure Rose essential oil, many prefer the Rose essential oil diluted and ready to roll, making it the perfect perfume-way to wear it!
Next time you look at the roses in a garden, you are bound to see them in an extra special way! So as the saying goes, "Stop, and smell the roses!" Afterall, you do not want to miss the benefits of a rejuvenating, stimulating, and harmonizing aroma.
For more information, education, or support on CPTG Essential Oils, contact Jody Robertson at myanointedjourney@gmail.com.
You can join in on learning at the Anointed Journey Facebook Page or her website. February 2021
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