Fragrant and beautiful, rose is one of the best loved flowers on the planet. Did you know, though, that rose essential oil, which is distilled from fresh roses, has some amazing health benefits too? Rose essential oil is an antiseptic, an antispasmodic, an aphrodisiac and an antidepressant too, so read on, and find out more about the wonderful benefits of rose essential oil.

You probably won’t find a sweeter smelling antiseptic than rose essential oil. Applying rose oil to minor wounds will stop infections and help them to heal quicker and, it won’t have the nasty smell that some antiseptic creams do.

Another one of wonderful rose essential oil benefits is that it can help relieve anxiety and stress. Like all essential oils, rose oil is very strong and it should be mixed with a carrier oil, and it is not usually taken internally without being well diluted. However, when it is applied to the skin, it is easily absorbed by the body. Research has shown that people who apply rose oil to their skin felt more relaxed and calm, and it can be used to treat the symptoms of anxiety and stress.

Rose essential oil benefits and uses are very numerous, and another one of them is that rose oil is also great for the immune system. It provides great protection against viruses in the body and it can help to prevent you from catching colds, the flu and other viral infections.

Taken internally diluted, rose essential oil works as an effective laxative. It relaxes the intestinal muscles, which can provide fast relief from constipation. It also works as a general aid to maintaining a healthy digestive system.

Another one of fabulous rose essential oil benefits is that it can reduce menopausal symptoms. In a study conducted in 2008, 25 women who were massaged with essential oils, including rose essential oil, reported a significant reduction in menopausal symptoms including hot flushes.

Rose essential oil also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Massaged into the skin, diluted in a carrier oil, rose essential oil can help to alleviate the pain of rheumatism and arthritis, and it can also help to reduce the symptoms of a fever.

Next one of wonderful rose essential oil benefits is that it can be used to clear up acne. Rose essential oil has one of the strongest anti-bacterial properties of all the essential oils. In 2010, Chinese researchers found that diluted rose essential oil killed the bacteria that cause acne in just five minutes.

When used in a diffuser, rose essential oil can be an effective treatment for depression. When women who were suffering from post-natal depression put a few drops of rose essential oil in a diffuser by their bedside, they all reported a marked improvement in their mood the following day.

Rose essential oil is also a powerful astringent, which has many health and beauty benefits. Diluted in a carrier oil and used on the hair, rose essential oil can strengthen the roots of the hair and help prevent hair loss and, on the skin, it can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

And finally, here is another one of great rose essential oil benefits – it can be used to relieve muscle spasms and cramps. When the oil is massaged into the affected region, it quickly relaxes the muscles and eases the pain.

Caution:

In some people, rose geranium essential oil can cause rash, irritation and burning sensation when it is applied to the skin. That’s why, to be on a safe side, it’s best to test the oil before using, as well as consult your doctor for a professional advice. Avoid using rose essential oil, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Bug Repellent: The smell of lavender essential oil is potent for many types of bugs like mosquitoes, midges, and moths. Apply some of the lavender oil on the exposed skin when outside to prevent these irritating bites. Furthermore, if you do happen to be bitten by one of those bugs, the lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory qualities that will reduce the irritation and the pain associatedwith bug bites.

Sleep: Lavender essential oil induces sleep which has made it a common recommendation for an alternative treatment of insomnia. Frequent studies on elderly patients have shown an increase in their sleep regularity when their normal sleep medication is replaced with some lavender essential oil being placed on their pillows. It has a relaxing impact on people that it can often replace modern medicine for sleep issues.

Nervous system: Lavender essential oil has a calming scent which makes it an excellent tonic for the nerves and anxiety issues. Therefore, it can also be helpful in treating migraines, headaches, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. The refreshing aroma removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness while also increasing mental activity. It has a well-researched impact on the autonomic nervous system, which is why it is frequently used as a treatment for insomnia and also as a way to regulate heart-rate variability. One study showed that people taking tests showed a significant decrease in the mental stress and anxiety, as well as increased cognitive function when they inhaled lavender oil and rosemary oil before taking the test.

Acne: According to dermatologists and aromatherapists, lavender essential oil is one of the most beneficial oils in the treatment of acne, which is a very uncomfortable and embarrassing condition that primarily affects young people as they move through puberty, but can also afflict adults. It is characterized by red, raised sores on the face and body that develop due to a bacterial infection near the sebum gland. When sebum cannot be properly secreted from the sebum glands on the face, it begins to build up, particularly because puberty stimulates extra sebum and bacteria feed off of it, creating a vicious cycle of irritation, infection, and visible sores that can result in serious scarring.

Lavender essential oil inhibits the bacteria that cause the initial infection, helps to regulate some of the over-excretion of sebum by hormonal manipulation and can reduce the signs of scarring after the acne has begun to heal. Adding a small amount of lavender essential oil to other skin creams or ointments can greatly increase the potential for relief and healing.

Pain relief: Lavender essential oil is known as an excellent remedy for various types of pains including those caused by sore and tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, backache, and lumbago. A regular massage with lavender oil can provide relief from pain in the joints. A study done on postoperative pain relief showed that combining lavender essential oil vapor into the oxygen significantly reduced the amount of pain experienced, versus those patients only revived with oxygen after a major surgery.

Urine flow: Lavender essential oil is good for urinary disorders because of its stimulating effect on urine production. Furthermore, it helps in restoring hormonal balance and reducing cystitis or inflammation of the urinary bladder. It also reduces associated cramps with these and other disorders.

Respiratory disorders: Lavender oil is widely used for various respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The oil is either used in the form of vapor or is applied on the skin of the neck, chest and back. It is also added to many vaporizers and inhalers that are commonly used for colds and coughs. The stimulating nature of lavender essential oil can also loosen up the phlegm and relieve the congestion associated with respiratory conditions, speeding up the recovery process and helping the body naturally eliminate phlegm and other unwanted material. The vapor of lavender essential oil also has antibacterial qualities which can battle respiratory tract infections.

Hair care: Lavender essential oil is useful for hair care because it has been shown to be very effective on lice, lice eggs, and nits. Furthermore, lavender essential oil has also been shown to be very helpful in the treatment of hair loss, particularly for patients who suffer from alopecia, an autoimmune disease where the body rejects its own hair follicles. A Scottish study reported that more than 40% of alopecia patients in the study reported an increase in hair growth when they regularly rubbed lavender essential oil into their scalp. Therefore, lavender oil is sometimes recommended as a preventative measure for male pattern baldness.

Cancer: Although more research needs to be done on human subjects, there is a significant research on the effects of lavender, in combination with other essential oils, as a way to prevent the occurrence of breast cancer in mice. However, this could be an indication of an increased chance of lavender battling other carcinogenic effects and the presence of cancer.

Blood circulation: Lavender essential oil is also good for improving the circulation of blood in the body. Research suggests that aromatherapy using lavender oil has beneficial effects on coronary circulation. It also lowers blood pressure and is often used for hypertension. This means that not only do the organs increase their levels of oxygenation, promoting muscle strength and health, but brain activity can have a noticeable boost, skin remains bright and flushed with blood, and the body is protected from the risks of heart attack and atherosclerosis that is often associated with poor blood circulation.