| Rockrose |
The rockrose bush,
said to originate in Asia Minor, is characteristic of the Mediterranean
regions of Macchia and Garrigue. The bush grows up to 6’/2
feet high and has dark green, sticky leaves. This dark, somber
bush has soft pink, medium pink, or white flowers with a glowing
soft yellow or pink center. The name rockrose comes from the
plant’s resemblance to the wild rose. The very delicate
flowers begin to wilt a few hours after they open, but new buds
appear the next day.
Rockrose fragrance is warm, deep, spicy, ambergris, and soothing.
Its essential oil conveys a warmth that deeply affects the soul.
Rockrose is favored for treating patients who feel, usually
after a traumatic event, cold, empty, or numb. The essential
oil of rockrose conveys deep warmth that helps melt an icy feeling.
Rockrose incense aids meditation and centering as well as visualizing
spiritual experiences and bringing them to consciousness.
The undiluted oil has a rather strong, tangy aroma. When sufficiently
diluted, the oil presents a gentle hidden erotic fragrance.
This erotic hint gives flowery perfumes and fragrant mixtures
a warm and intriguing foundation. Many perfumes, such as Quelques
Fleurs and Charles of the Ritz or fragrances for men sold in
the European market, like Monsieur Carven or Derrick, use rockrose
as a base.
This essential oil and labdanum—the dark, fragrant bitter
oleoresin derived from various rockroses—have been used
for medicinal purposes in Europe since the Middle Ages. The
oil was used in ointments and compresses to treat infected wounds
and skin ulcers. Its effectiveness has been verified by modern
science. For skin ulcers or dirty, infected injuries, apply
compresses two to three times a day to the area. These compresses
could be made from a propolis tincture or a healing ointment
to which rockrose oil and labdanum are added. The oil has proven
effective for chronic skin disorders, eczemas, and psoriasis.
Rockrose oil had been a reliable traditional medicine for treating
“scrofulous” conditions, with skin and soft tissue
disturbances, and swollen lymph glands. Rockrose is beneficial
when added to a massage oil, such as orange oil, designed to
increase lymph system drainage. For swollen lymph nodes in the
neck, apply hot rockrose compresses.
The oil is a potent antiseptic, astringent, and tonic. These
properties make rockrose ideal for treating acne or oily, infected,
and puffy skin. This essential oil was used in beauty creams
in ancient Egypt. For abdominal disorders caused by cold, cystitis,
or painful menstrual cramps, a sitz bath with equal parts of
rockrose and marjoram is helpful.
|
|
|
