Rose—icon in its beauty and fragrance— is more than just a lovely flower. The rose has been a symbol of love, beauty, war, and politics. According to fossil evidence, the flower is over 35 million years old. The 150 species of rose has spread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, both adorning gardens and growing in the wild. The cultivation of roses of the garden variety began in China, about 5,000 years ago. During the Roman period, roses were grown in the Middle East and used as confetti at celebrations, medicinally, and as perfume. There were large public gardens filled with roses for the Roman nobility to enjoy.

During the seventeenth century, roses were so highly prized that royalty used roses or rose water as legal tender. Napoleon’s wife Josephine had an immense collection of roses at Chateau de Mamaison, west of Paris in the 1800s. In 1824, the famous botanical illustrator Pierre Joseph Redoute completed is water color collection “Les Rose,” which is still considered one of the most beautiful records of any botanical illustration.

In the late eighteenth century, the cultivated roses we are most familiar with were introduced to Europe from China. They characterized by repeat blooms and became a favorite of plant breeders.

The essential oil of the rose is not only fragrant, but it has many health benefits. Breathing in its scent releases endorphins and the hormone dopamine, which is known to reduce pain, decrease anxiety and stress, and boost mood. Rose essential oil is also beneficial for increasing sex drive and desire, producing an amorous mood. Our Love Mood Scent harnesses the power of rose as well as geranium, jasmine, lavender, patchouli, and ylang ylang to create a feeling of calm, connectedness, and passion. Rose is also uplifting and rejuvenating, especially when combined with clove, clary sage, and neroli. Love Mood Scent is spicy, floral, and sensual, inspiring passion, desire, and intimacy.