The rich perfumed fragrance of the rose is unmistakable. The aroma of the rose has enamored cultures around the world for centuries, rivaling even the renown of the prized sandalwood. The first rose came from a Persian garden, and the bush quickly spread around the ancient world. The Romans used rose petals when they had extravagant banquets, and they extracted the oil for medicine and perfumes. The rose symbolized love, passion, innocence, and desire as well as beauty, elegance, and grace.

In Greece, India, and Egypt, roses were macerated in hot fat. Fragrant pomades were the end products and they were shaped into cones, which were placed on top of the head. When the sun melted the fat, fragrant rose-scented oil would trickle down the face and the scent would linger all day.

The healing qualities of rose oil are as remarkable as its beauty and fragrance. In the 17th century, the English physician Culpepper wrote that red roses strengthen the heart. He may have meant the action of giving someone a rose, but anyone who has been exposed to the aroma of a rose or rose oil and inhaled it for aromatherapy purposes knows that the heart is strengthened emotionally as well as spiritually by rose oil.

Culpepper wrote about the astringent properties of rose oil and recommended it for tired eyes and headaches. He suggested a rose ointment to relieve annoying acne as well. Today rose oil is used in lotions, creams, and oils for its bactericidal and antiviral properties. Rose oil and rose water are used to cleanse and refresh dry sensitive skin.

The difficulty of extracting the oil from the plant has always been an issue. One rose blossom only contains 0.02% oil and this makes the essential oil expensive. It takes about 40,000 pounds of rose blossoms to produce one pound of rose oil. Even though the oil is expensive, it’s a great investment, especially in aromatherapy sessions.

Some rose oil aficionados claim that the best rose otto oil comes from Bulgaria. The oil is distilled from newly opened flowers that are picked in the cool mornings. Distillation is done in two phases. The first phase produces a little concentrated green oil and a lot of rose water. The second phase distills the rose water, and the result is a yellow oil that is combined with the green oil to produce the final essential oil. Most of the rose absolute used in perfumes is harvested and extracted in Morocco using a hydrocarbon solvent. Most aromatherapists prefer rose otto oil because they feel that the rose absolute extraction process may have an impact on the therapeutic properties in the oil.

Check out this video on the distillation of rose oil!

Cedarwood has been used for over 5,000 years for many good reasons. The ancient Sumerians as well as the Egyptians believed cedarwood could connect the body with the mind in rituals and ceremonies. The Egyptians also believed that the body should be embalmed in cedarwood so the journey to the other side was a smooth transition.

Scripture writers tell stories about Solomon and his love for cedarwood. He built his temple and palace from the Cedars of Lebanon, which made him the wisest man on the planet. Cedar was a symbol for strength, connection, and protection in those ancient days. Cedarwood oil continues to attract people who want to connect with the soul-consciousness in this physical plane, and it is also used as an insect repellant and a bacteria preventative.

Cedarwood essential oil is fantastic for breaking down cellulite and is one of the most popular oils used for deep massages. And the therapeutic qualities of cedarwood oil don’t stop there. This aromatherapy oil is effective for hair loss, acne, psoriasis, urinary tract infections, and bronchitis. Attention deficit disorder and compulsive behavior can be treated with cedarwood oil, and it reduces the risk of hardening of the arteries.

Cedarwood stimulates the pineal gland, which releases melatonin and promotes deep sleep. The pineal gland also open channels to the innate capacities that we have which have become buried under the myth of separation propagated by modern society. The Sumerians discovered the awakening potential of cedarwood long ago, and cultures around the world hold cedar sacred and use it as a beneficial, clarifying teacher plant. The most wonderful benefit of using this essential oil on a regular basis is the emotional and spiritual transformation that develops as the plant is incorporated into one’s practice.

The therapeutic properties of this amazing oil are astringent, antiseborrhoeic, diuretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, tonic, fungicide, insecticide, sedative, emmenagogue, and expectorant. The oil also sedates the skin, which relieves itching, and it acts as a general tonic, which helps control acne, dandruff, and oily skin.

In vapor therapy cedarwood essential oil can be used to relieve arthritis, rheumatism, and respiratory issues. The oil can be massaged into the skin or diluted in a bath to relieve painful joints, cystitis, and catarrh.

When cedarwood is blended with other essential oils such as cinnamon, bergamot, frankincense, juniper, benzoin, cypress, rosemary, jasmine, lavender, neroli, rose, and lemon, the results are better than expected, especially when cellulite and muscle pain cause unnecessary stress on the body.

Ancient civilizations knew the importance of using cedarwood, especially when the body was in a state of distress. The physical and mental connection that humans have with cedarwood oil is so special that it can’t be taken for granted. The old remedies are new again and cedarwood oil tops the list when it comes to bringing the body and mind together in an innate as well as objective way.