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
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