Cabbage rose (rosa centifolia) is in the rose family of essential oils. There are over 10,000 types of cultivated rose and several subspecies of R. centifolia. The essential oil that we obtain from cabbage rose is actually a rose absolute which is a refined, liquid extraction of fragrant compounds from the fresh blossom. Although absolutes contain essential oil compounds they differ from distilled essential oils. An absolute is a refinement of a concrete, which is a thick, fragrant material extracted from the plant using a hydrocarbon solvent. The concrete contains essential oils, fatty acids and waxes. Absolutes are extracted from concretes with pure alcohol. The alcohol dissolves and absorbs the fragrant material from the concrete. Waxes, fats and other non-aromatic contents precipitate out and are removed by filtering. The alcohol is removed through evaporation. What’s left behind is the pure, fragrant absolute – a concentration of aromatic compounds including essential oil constituents.
Cabbage Essential Oils Exporter production is strictly a hybrid involving R. x centifolia, R. gallica and a few other roses. This particular rose can grow to a height of 8 feet and has a mass of pink or rosy-purple flowers. Most rose absolute is produced in Morocco in the valleys between the High Atlas and Jbel Sarhro mountains east of Marrakech.
How Can the Oil of Rosa centifolia Help Us Today?
Up to the Middle the Ages the rose played an essential part in the materia medica being used for lots of different disorders including digestive and menstrual problems, headaches and nervous tension, liver congestion, poor circulation, fever, eye infections and skin complaints. The rose has traditionally been associated with Venus, the Goddess of love and beauty. Today rose oil inspires emotional calm and stability without sedative effects. The aroma is powerful and comforting. Its physical actions are mildly astringent and balancing. Rosa centifolia has many of the same uses as Rosa damascena. As for safety, cabbage rose is non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Want to learn more about the healing properties of Rose and other essential oils? Consider becoming a certified aromatherapist. Educational courses in healing energy and aromatherapy can help you understand how essential oils heal the body/mind/spirit. The Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy, Inc..
