Rose attars are typically natural essential oils derived from the petals of diverse types of roses. They are made through the steam distillation process while rose absolutes are collected through the solvent extraction process. The absolutes are more commonly used in the perfumery industry and the techniques of production originated in Persia. Even with the higher cost and the advent of synthetic substitutes, rose attars or rose oils are one of the most widely used perfumes on the globe."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you extract Rose Attar?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Production of rose attar is highly labor-intensive. Picking of flowers is done by hand before sunrise in the early morning and the substances are distilled on the same day. There’re mainly 3 methods of extracting the oil from the flowers – Steam distillation – it produces a natural essential oil known as rose attar or attar of roses. Solvent extraction – it produces an absolute known as rose absolute. Carbon dioxide extraction – it yields a waxy or semi-solid substance that could be marketed as rose concrete or carbon dioxide extract.

Rose Attar - Essential Oils

Courtesy of Fragrantica.com

Rose attar or attar of roses, also known as Ruh Gulab in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, is one of the most widely used natural perfumes throughout the world. Roses are considered the most beautiful flowers on the earth and their fragrant agents are globally respected for their soft, heart-touching smells.

Other common names of rose attars include rose oil, rose essence, rose otto, rose essential oil, and attar of roses.

What is rose attar?
Extraction methods of rose attars
History of rose attar
Types of roses
Major compounds of rose attars
Types of rose attars
Uses and benefits of rose attar oils
Value of rose attar
How to use rose attars or rose oils
Final words

What is Rose Attar?

Rose attars are typically natural essential oils derived from the petals of diverse types of roses. They are made through the steam distillation process while rose absolutes are collected through the solvent extraction process.

The absolutes are more commonly used in the perfumery industry and the techniques of production originated in Persia. Even with the higher cost and the advent of synthetic substitutes, rose attars or rose oils are one of the most widely used perfumes on the globe.

Extraction Methods of Rose Attars

Production of rose attar is highly labor-intensive. Picking of flowers is done by hand before sunrise in the early morning and the substances are distilled on the same day.

There’re mainly 3 methods of extracting the oil from the flowers –

Steam distillation – it produces a natural essential oil known as rose attar or attar of roses.
Solvent extraction – it produces an absolute known as rose absolute.
Carbon dioxide extraction – it yields a waxy or semi-solid substance that could be marketed as rose concrete or carbon dioxide extract.

History Of Rose Attar

Uses of roses as a fragrance were adopted by the early civilizations like Romans, Chinese, and Egyptians who grew the flowers widely around 5000 years ago.

In India, since the time of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, rose attars have been distilled in the city “Kannauj” (the attar capital in India) for more than 400 years. Nur Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir, was an avid enthusiast of roses that she used to bathe in a water pool packed with rose petals.

Types of Roses

There are various types of roses found in different atmospheres around the world. But majorly 2 species of the rose plants are cultivated for producing rose attars or rose oils.

Cabbage rose – botanically known as Rosa centifolia, which is commonly grown in France, Egypt, and Morocco.
Damask rose – botanically known as Rosa damascene, which is commonly grown in India, Bulgaria, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and China.

Major Compounds of Rose Attars

Rose attars may contain hundreds of components as per the extraction method and blending composition. However, the fundamental compounds that contribute to the excellent distinctive smells of rose oils are beta-damascenone, beta-ionone, beta damascone, and rose oxide (despite their names we are talking about components naturally contained in the essential oil).

The presence of beta damascenone is considered the quality marker of the rose attars. Though these constituents present in less than 1 %, they cover up more than 90 % of the scents.

Uses and Benefits of Rose Attar Oils

Rose attars or rose essential oils are packed with several beneficial components that produce myriad benefits in both body and mind.

Some significant effects of rose attars or rose oils include –

Antimicrobial – rose attars have certain compounds, especially citrus compounds that are antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and antifungal in nature, thus, effective in skin health, flu, and respiratory infections.

Antioxidant – rose attars are full of powerful antioxidants that may help to detoxify the body and skin.

Antispasmodic – rose attar or rose essential oil can effectively relieve spasms of the muscles as well as respiratory system and intestine. Therefore, very effective in menstrual cramps, and miscarriages in women.

Improve depressive conditions – one of the main benefits of using rose attar is that it can improve mood, mental strength, and self-confidence, significantly fighting depressive conditions and stress.

Balance hormones – rose attars are found effective in regulating hormonal secretions.

Anti-aging – with its rejuvenating and skin-repairing actions, rose attar is a major ingredient to maintain a youthful complexion.

Moisturizing – with its deep nourishing actions, rose attars are used in producing moisturizing cosmetics.

Value of Rose Attar

The production process of rose attar is very labor-intensive and very low content of oil can be collected from the rose blooms. Roses are picked by hand in the early morning before sunrise and processed on the same day.

According to experts, on average to produce 180 ml of rose attar oil, approximately 400 kg of rose petals are required. Therefore, 1 Kg of oil can be produced from 4 to 6 tons of rose flowers, which’s huge.

Therefore, pure rose attar oil commands a premium price.

How To Use Rose Attars or Rose Oils

As pure rose attar oil is highly expensive, it can be used after diluting with water or other ingredients whether you want to inhale it or plan to use it on your skin.

To take a rose attar bath – mix 10 drops into a carrier oil and then add to your bathing water. Attars or essential oils should always be mixed with any carrier oils before adding to water.

To manage stress, anxiety, and depression – you can either dab rose attar oil on your chest or it can be inhaled using a diffuser. You can also take an oil massage to relax your body and mind.

To wear the smell of rose attar – you can dab the oil in your finger and palm, rub the oil gently, and then use it on your clothing or skin.

Types of Rose Attars

A variety of rose attars are available in the global perfume market nowadays. But most of the attars are made nowadays using synthetic compounds due to the much higher price of natural rose ingredients.

Here’re some of our highly popular pure rose attars:

“La Via del Profumo” blend rose attars with other natural ingredients to producing certain world-class natural perfumes or attars such as:

Final Words

Rose attars are expensive natural perfumes that can be worn to improve social dignity. It presents the sense of taste and glory of the tradition. However, if you haven’t tried it yet, you should definitely consider experiencing the unique smells of natural rose fragrances.