Ellen Campbell-Grizzle

Valentine's Day symbolises love, happiness and romance. At this time of the year, many persons buy perfumes for their special one. Interestingly, there are Jamaicans who buy 'oils of affection and attraction' all year round. Rose oil is a popular choice renowned for its fragrance and, associated across civilisations, with conflict resolution, the healing of emotional wounds and bringing warmth to the soul. Substantial aphrodisiac properties have been attributed to rose oil. In Jamaica, rose oil is sometimes called lover's oil.

Medicinal properties of the Rose

The first preparation of rose water was made in the 10th century by the Arabic physician Avicenna who wrote an entire book on its healing properties. The oil or Otto of roses was discovered between 1582 and 1612. Modern researchers have identified nine active ingredients in rose oil and isolated 2-phenethylalcohol and citronellol as active ingredients with anti-anxiety like effects.

The British Pharmacopeia recommends that the petals suitable for medicinal purposes must yield a deep rose-coloured, astringent and fragrant infusion after boiling. The preferred variety for this purpose is called Provins Rose. In the past, pharmacists would beat one pound of red rose petals in a stone mortar with three pounds of sugar to produce a sweet to treat problems of the lung or coughing. Fluid extracts were made from powdered red rose petals mixed with glycerine and diluted alcohol. This product added a pleasant odour and astringent properties to many treatments for coughs and stomach problems.

In the olden days, Honey of Roses, mentioned in the United States Pharmacopeia, was popular for sore throats and ulcerated mouth. This was made from pounding fresh rose petals in a small quantity of boiling water, filtering the mass and boiling the liquid with honey. Today, pharmacists still make an ointment of rose water, commonly known as 'cold cream', as a cooling application for chapped hands or face and the soothing of scrapes and superficial lesions of the skin. In the home, rose petals are important ingredients in dry or moist potpourri. Rose water remains a popular ingredient in custards and puddings.

Home-made rose water and rose oil

More than 10,000 types of roses are known. Pure rose oil is made through a very exacting process and is very expensive. Flowers are gathered early in the morning. Picking should cease just before the sun rises. It takes 30 roses to make one drop of oil and 60,000 roses to make 30 millilitres of oil. However, you can make your own rose oil and rose water by following the following recipe:

Place a clean brick or rock in a large pot and place rose petals around the brick.

Cover with water and place a small glass dish on top of the brick.

Place a stainless steel bowl, filled with ice, on top of the pot.

Simmer for about three hours, periodically replacing the ice.

The bowl with ice will condense the steam and drip down into the glass bowl. The water in the glass bowl is your rose water and on top will be a layer of oil. This is the essential oil. You can separate these and use the oil in you external preparations such as lotions, oils or soaps.

An ancient herbalist reports that the red rose "strengtheneth the heart, the stomach, liver and the retentive faculty; it is good against all fluxes, prevents vomiting, stops tickling coughs and is of service in consumption". Today, the potential of the rose still fascinates us as it brings sweet things to life! Happy Valentine's Day!