MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Importance and chemical composition

Damask rose or Bulgarian rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) is a commercial source of rose oil, rose water, rose absolute, rose attar, gulkand, gulroghan, pankhuri, otto of rose, etc. The total world production of rose oil is estimated to be about 19 t, against the annual requirement which exceeds 25 t. Rose oil contains citronellol (0.4%), nonadecane (12.3%), geraniol (14.49%), Henicosane (6.69%), β-phenyl ethylalcohol (4.06%), 9-eiscosane,hexanol, heptanol, α-pinene, β-pinene,myrcene,cis-rose oxide,trans-rose oxide, terpinen-4.01, α-terpineol, β-phenylethyl acetate,citral, eugenol, geranyl acetate, methyl eugenol, β-caryo - phyllene, - α cadinene, docosane, heptadecane, farnesol, tridecane, hepta-cosone, tetradecanol, tricosane, pentacosane and octadecane.

Rose oil is one of the most valuable perfumery materials from ancient times. All high-grade perfumes contain at least some quantities of rose oil. The best quality rose oil imparts characteristic flowery top-notes to perfumes, the absolute adds lasting tonalities and increases the fixation of odours. The different products of rose are used in cosmetics, beverages, cold drinks, foodstuffs, tobacco flavoring like snuff and chewing tobacco, fruit flavours, soft drinks, alcoholic liquors and medicines. It is reported that 3 drops of rose oil three times a day is useful for the treatment of gallstones. The rose flowers possess a laxative property due to the presence of a flavanol glycoside.