Rosaceae
Damask Rose
Rosa damascena
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Syria, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran
Also known as: Rose of Damascus, Bulgarian Rose, Otto Rose, Attar Rose
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
FlowerPetalEssential oil
Therapeutic Uses
Anxiety and stress (rose aroma RCT — reduces anxiety and cortisol), depression (adjunct), menopausal symptoms, dysmenorrhoea, skin conditions (rosacea, eczema), wound healing.
Herbal Actions
Anxiolytic (aromatherapy — clinical evidence), antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, astringent, aphrodisiac (aromatherapy)
Active Constituents
Volatile oil (geraniol 15–22%, nerol, citronellol 35–40%, rose oxide, beta-damascenone — primary aroma), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), tannins, anthocyanins, vitamin C
Preparation Methods
⚗️ Essential Oil☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2 tsp dried petals per 250ml, steep 5 min — exquisite flavour, 2–3x daily |
| Tincture | Rose water: topical or 30ml internally. Essential oil: 2–3% in carrier. |
| Notes | Rose water: most accessible form (distilled petals). Rose otto essential oil most expensive (3–5 tons petals per kg oil). Aromatherapy: clinical trials confirm anxiolytic effect. Traditional Islamic medicine. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Pregnancy (essential oil — high doses). Generally safe. Rare allergy.
Side Effects: Contact sensitization (essential oil). Very well tolerated.