Damask Rose

Damask rose, sometimes called Castile rose, is a rose hybrid derived from Rosa Gallica and Rosa moschata. These flowers are known for their delicate fragrance, and rose oil (used in perfume), rose water and rose concrete. You can eat petals of the flower. They can be preserved in sugar as gulkand or used to flavor dishes, as a garnish or herbal tea. Damask rose is a deciduous shrub that can grow to a height of 2.2 meters (7 feet 3 inches) with thick, curved thorns and hard bristles on the stems. The leaves are pinnate, with five (rarely seven) leaflets. Flowers colors are light to medium pink to light red. Relatively small flowers grow in groups. The hybrid is divided into two varieties: the summer damask has a short flowering season, only in summer. Autumn damask has a longer flowering season, which extends for autumn; otherwise, they are not distinguishable by the summer damasks. This fruit is called the rose hip and is red or orange, oval or round. If your rose blooms only once in July, it is called “once blooming”. It blooms again after June is called “repeat blooming”. Although it is a hardy plant and can tolerate most types of soil, it is best suited for mild, temperate climates-it needs a temperature of 0°C to 5°C about 15 days before flowering to increase the number and quality of flowers. However, although Damask rose can grow in harsher climates, the yield is much lower. In hotter and humid conditions, the flowers will also bloom and then wither faster. The truth is that every kind of rose you plan to grow here needs special attention. It is also recommended to prune regularly. It smells very flowery and slightly sweet, it is the scent of the rose that we use in our most feminine fragrances, it smells like makeup powder and clean linen, depending on the soil condition, damask rose scent can be lemony, spicy or fruity.

History of Damask Rose

It is said that the Damascus rose originated in Damascus and was brought to Europe from Syria in the 14th century by knights returning from the Crusades. In AD 77, Pliny the Elder recorded 32 different beneficial effects of rose preparations. Damask rose preparations are used to relieve various diseases in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda). Various types of roses were grown and used in ancient Greece, Rome, Asia, Egypt and the Arab world, including the Damask rose. The Damask rose came to Europe via the Middle East via Damascus in the middle Ages. They are especially prized for their natural essential oils, which have been used to make rose essential oil for centuries. The rose was first seen in Italy in the 16th century and bloomed more than once. Before the advent of roses from the Far East in Europe in the 18th century, “Autumn Damask” was the only rose species that showed this characteristic of re-blooming. They call it “Quatre Saisons” (Four seasons), and the Italians, more optimistically, “La Rosa di Ogni Mese” (Roses of the month).In the United Kingdom, it is known “Autumn Damask – twice flowering”. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that R. damascena was originally an Eastern Mediterranean hybrid of R. gallica and R. Phoenicia. It is the national flower of Iran. The use of rose essential oil dates back to ancient Persian civilization. Avicenna, a 10th century Persian physician, distilled its petals for medicinal purposes, and in 1612 a commercial distillery existed in Shiraz, Persia. This plant is called the “Flower of the Prophet Muhammad” in Iran because people believe that it is a sacred plant with healing properties. The main product of steam distillation of petals in Iran was rose water, followed by rose essential oil.

Health Benefits of Damask Rose

Rose water and rose essential oil have many medicinal properties and make them a popular plant in Iran. The water extracted from damask rose has a neutral pH of 7, so it is very safe to use on any part of the skin, it perfectly moisturizes, strengthens and soothes the skin. Studies have shown that roses contain a large amount of phenolic compounds has anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, rose water can also help soothe irritation caused by various skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or rosacea. It can also help reduce eye irritation Because of its powerful antiseptic properties, rose water can help prevent and treat infections that is the reason it is often included in natural healing treatments. Finally, damask rose can make you happier and relieve stress. In aromatherapy, rose water and rose essential oil have long been used to help patients relax, relieve headaches and calm nerves. Its effects on normal blood pressure and regular relaxed breathing have been observed and recorded. A study published by the US National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health found that exposure to rose essential oil promotes the development of these two conditions, which are closely associated with low stress levels. With its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, rose water can be used to treat sore throat. In liquid form, damask rose can be used in eye drops and has been shown to be of great benefit to people with vision problems. Water has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which means it helps wounds heal faster, keeps them clean and protects them from injections. Rose petals and rose oil incorporate some of effective antioxidants, which could assist shield cells from damage. Rose water and rose essential oil are often used in aromatherapy to relieve headaches, possibly due to their stress relief effects. In some cases, damask rose can cause side effects such as upset stomach, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Most of the side effects were mild and disappeared on their own after stopping treatment.