Damask rose (Rosa damascena)



Updated 29 January 2024

Botanical characteristics

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Subdomain: Tracheobionta 
  • Division: Magnoliophyta 
  • Class: Magnoliopsida 
  • Subclass: Rosidae 
  • Order: Rosales
  • Family: Rosaceae
  • Genus: Rosaceae
  • Part used: Petals, flowers
  • Country of origin: Bulgaria, Morocco, Turkey, Iran

Precautions for use

Damask Rose essential oil is best diluted in a carrier oil for dermal application.

Pure use is irritating to the skin.

The oral route can only be used on prescription.

 It is formally contraindicated in pregnant women under 3 months of age and only diffusion is tolerated in pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants.

Other precautions

Cutaneous use:

  • Damask Rose essential oil must be diluted for use on the skin: 5% in vegetable oil (5% essential oil in 95% vegetable oil).

Ingestion: 

  • Oral use of this essential oil should be done with the advice of a therapist.
  • This essential oil can be used in cooking if it is first diluted in a fat (oil, cream, yoghurt, milk) or sweetened (syrup, honey).

Diffusion: 

  • Pregnant women and babies can use this essential oil in air diffusers.

Allergenic components: 

Damask Rose essential oil contains several high-dose, allergenic biochemical components:

  • citronellol (20-37%)
  • geraniol (5-30%)
  • farnesol (≤ 2%)
  • citrals (geranial + neral) (≤ 1.5%)
  • limonene (≤ 0,2%)
  • Linalool (≤ 2%)
  • eugenol (≤ 2%)
  • benzyl benzoate (≤ 0,2%)

Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).

Authorised users

 Adults and adolescents

 Children under 6 years

 Pregnant and breastfeeding women

 Pregnant women younger than 3 months

 Infants under 3 years old

How to use

 Inhalation

 Cutaneous

 Oral

Diffusion

Risks of use

 Skin irritation

Properties

  • Antiseptic, anti haemorrhagic
  • Nerve tonic or sedative depending on dose, antidepressant
  • Anti-infectious 
  • Anti-wrinkle and skin regenerating 

Indications

Directions for use/usual dosage

  • Local application: 1 drop diluted for skin and nerve disorders. 
  • Oral: diluted for oral and dental pathologies.