Description

Rosa odorata, commonly known as the fragrant rose, is a species of rose native to tropical regions of Asia, including India and Southeast Asia. This plant is renowned for its aromatic flowers and ornamental elegance. Rosa odorata is frequently used in gardens and traditional herbal practices for its distinctive qualities.

Botanical Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rosa
Species: Rosa odorata

Plant Characteristics:
Rosa odorata is characterized by:

Flowers: Medium to large-sized flowers, typically pink, white, or yellow, with a strong, sweet fragrance. The flowers usually bloom in late spring to summer.
Foliage: Dark green, glossy, pinnate leaves with serrated edges. The dense foliage complements the plant's flowers and adds to its overall visual appeal.
Growth Habit: A compact, bushy shrub that can reach heights of 1.5 to 2 meters. Rosa odorata tends to have a dense and well-branched growth habit.
Soil and Light: Prefers well-drained soil and full sunlight. It is adaptable to various soil types but thrives best in a sunny, well-ventilated location.

Chemical Composition and Structure:
The chemical composition of Rosa odorata includes:

Essential Oils: Contains aromatic compounds such as citronellol, geraniol, and nerol, which contribute to its distinctive and sweet fragrance.
Flavonoids and Tannins: Found in the leaves and flowers, providing antioxidant and astringent properties.
Organic Acids: Present in the foliage and flowers, contributing to the plant’s aromatic profile and potential therapeutic benefits.

Uses and Benefits:

Aesthetic: Valued for its fragrant and elegant flowers, making it an ideal choice for ornamental gardening and landscaping.
Cosmetic: Extracts are used in perfumes, lotions, and other skincare products for their aromatic and soothing properties.
Medicinal: Used in traditional medicine for its potential calming and digestive effects, though scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited.
Culinary: Rose hips can be used to make herbal teas and infusions, providing a delicate flavor and a source of vitamin C.

Applications:

Gardening: Used as an ornamental shrub in gardens for its attractive flowers and intense fragrance.
Cosmetics: Extracts incorporated into perfumes, creams, and lotions for their aromatic and soothing properties.
Medicinal: Utilized in traditional remedies for potential calming and digestive benefits.
Culinary: Rose hips used in teas and infusions for their flavor and vitamin C content.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: Non-invasive and adaptable to various garden environments; contributes to garden biodiversity and supports local pollinators.
Safety: Generally safe to handle and use; individuals with allergies or sensitivities should exercise caution. It is advisable to consult a healthcare provider before using Rosa odorata for medicinal purposes.

INCI:


Cosmetic astringent. This ingredient exerts a direct effect on the skin by tightening dilated pores by contracting stratum corneum cells and removing superfluous oil.

Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.
Synonyms:

CAS: 97676-09-0 EC number 307-685-8