If you love the aroma of roses, and most of us do, why not learn how to make your own rose oil. With the popularity of aromatherapy, scented oils have made a comeback, but they can also be quite pricey. Making rose oil yourself cuts the costs while giving the same aroma therapeutic benefits. In the following article, we’ll discuss infusing oil with rose, not to be confused with making essential oil, a more complex and costly process, and some rose oil infusion uses.
Rose Oil Infusion vs. Essential Rose Oil
Essential oils yield a potent aroma that requires some technology and significant plant material which equal a higher cash outlay than making a rose oil infusion. Store bought essential oils use the benefit of distillation to really concentrate all that aroma. Die-hard essential oil enthusiasts could, indeed, make their own at home provided they are prepared to spend some money on a distillery or make one of their own. That’s where infusing oil with rose essence come in. This process is simple, less expensive, and will result in rose scented oil, albeit a milder smelling version than an essential oil.
How to Make Rose Oil
You will need organically grown roses; if you grow your own roses, so much the better. If not, spend a little more and purchase organically grown; remember this oil is going on your sensitive skin. Once you have the roses, crush them to allow the petals to release their essential oils. You can also use dried rose petals but be aware that their aroma has already faded. Fill a clean jar about ¾ full of the crushed petals. Fill the jar to the top with oil. The type of oil you use should be one that has the least aroma. Good choices are jojoba oil, safflower oil, almond oil, canola oil, or even a light olive oil. Tightly cap the jar and shake it around to distribute the petals. Label and date the jar and store it in a cool, dark area. Continue to shake the petals around each day, leaving the oil in the cool, dark area for four weeks. Then, strain the oil into a clean container over a sieve or colander. Put the petals in cheesecloth or an old t-shirt and squeeze them out to get out every bit of aromatic oil. That’s it. If the scent is too light for you, try making a double or triple infusion wherein the infused oil is used again with fresh roses to re-infuse the oil with scent.
Rose Oil Uses
Once your oil has been infused, you can use it several ways. These might include:
- making your own perfume
- scenting a sachet or potpourri
- adding to homemade glycerin soap or beauty products
- using as a massage oil
- adding a few drops to a foot soak to soften and perfume feet
- adding to tea or baked goods
This easy DIY gift idea is one of many projects featured in our latest eBook, Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects for the Fall and Winter. Learn how downloading our latest eBook can help your neighbors in need by clicking here.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."
FAQs
How to Make Rose Oil
- Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a saucepan, then remove from heat.
- Pour a cup or so of oil into a glass jar. ...
- Crush, shred or "bruise" a cup of rose petals and place in the oil. ...
- Cover the jar and place it into the hot water. ...
- Leave the jar alone in the warm area for at least 24 hours.
Strain the oil through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean, dry glass bottle or jar. Store the rose oil in a cool, dark place and use within 6 months.
How many roses does it take to make rose essential oil? ›
Similarly, it takes around 10,000 pounds of rose petals to produce just one pound of rose essential oil. These numbers may seem staggering, but it's important to remember that essential oils are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way.
What is homemade rose oil good for? ›
Although more research is needed to confirm some of its benefits, rose oil may be used effectively to: reduce anxiety, stress, depression, and pain. increase libido. protect against harmful bacteria and fungi.
What is the best carrier oil for rose oil? ›
Oil ( almond or jojoba oil- something that has little or no scent to avoid over powering the delicate smell of the roses, and that already feels lovely on the skin, my favourite is apricot oil). Click here to see more carrier oils.
Can we extract oil from rose? ›
Rose essential oil and rose water are in high demand; as a result, the production of rose essential oil and rose water is a lucrative source of revenue for rural communities. The distillation technology used to obtain rose oil is energy-intensive and has a considerable environmental impact.
Does rose oil go bad? ›
Just like any other natural product, an essential oil will also lose its effectiveness over time, although it won't go bad in the same way that out-of-date food will. However, the amount of time it will take an essential oil to expire depends on several different factors.
Why is pure rose oil so expensive? ›
But to make the highest-quality Bulgarian rose oil, producers must spend the year cultivating fields that will bloom for only a few weeks. The petals are distilled the same hour they're harvested, costing producers $8,000 a kilo for labor alone.
What is the difference between rose oil and rose essential oil? ›
Rose oil refers to distilled oil from the petal of the botanical Rosa damascena (this is also called rose essential oil). Rosehip oil, on the other hand, refers to oil extracted from the fruit of the wild botanical Rosa canina, Rosa moschata, or Rosa rubiginosa.
How many roses does it take to make 1 oz of rose oil? ›
About 30 roses are required to make 1 drop of oil and 60,000 petals to make 1 oz. of oil.
Unlike rose oil, which is extracted from rose petals, rosehip oil is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the rose plant. Prized since ancient times for its valuable healing benefits, rosehip oil is loaded with skin nourishing vitamins and essential fatty acids.
Is it OK to put rose oil on your face? ›
Yes, rose oil can be applied directly on the skin. However, it is best to dilute it with a carrier oil such as jojoba, coconut, or almond oil to minimize the risk of irritation. Perform a patch test to check for adverse reactions.
Can I put pure rose oil on my face? ›
Safety Usage for Skin:
Pure Rose Oil has many skin benefits when used topically and it can be used undiluted. However, it's always a good idea to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba in a 1:1 ratio before applying it topically.
What is rose oil used for spiritually? ›
Rose essential oil is often associated with the heart chakra, which is related to love, compassion, and understanding. The heart chakra bridges the lower and upper chakras. It is the center of compassionate consciousness and Divine love. It is the cornerstone for relational connectedness.
What are the main ingredients in rose oil? ›
rosae. The principal constituents of the oil are citronellol (34–55%), geraniol, (around 14%) and nerol (around 7%).
What are the ingredients in rose oil? ›
Major rose components
- Citronellol 20–34%
- Geraniol 15–22%
- Nonadecane 8–15%
Steps to Extracting Fragrance From Flowers
- Step one: select your flowers. ...
- Step two: pick off the petals. ...
- Step three: add the oil. ...
- Step four: leave your flower mixture for 24 hours. ...
- Step five: drain your flowers and strain. ...
- Step six: record your results.
