Damask Rose

The Damask Rose (Rosa damascena) is a historic cultivated form of the rose from the rose family (Rosaceae). It is a hybrid species that presumably arose from a cross between the Gallica rose (Rosa gallica), the musk rose (Rosa moschata), and possibly the cabbage rose (Rosa × centifolia). Originally cultivated in the Middle East, it reached Europe via the Crusaders in the Middle Ages. It owes its name to the Syrian capital Damascus. Today it is cultivated on a large scale mainly in Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, and Morocco – mostly for the production of rose oil and rose water. The Damask Rose is famous for its intense, complex fragrance and is considered one of the noblest rose varieties in the world.

Beyond perfumery, the Damask Rose also has a long tradition in natural medicine and in culinary as well as spiritual use. Its petals contain a multitude of bioactive substances that have increasingly attracted scientific interest in recent years.

What health benefits does the Damask Rose offer?

In natural and folk medicine, the Damask Rose has been valued for centuries. Modern investigations also confirm some of its traditional areas of use and point to new possible applications. Although more research is necessary to fully understand the plant's effects, here are some of the research findings to date:

  • Pain-relieving effect: The hydroalcoholic extract of R. damascena has shown a significant analgesic effect in investigations, which could make it a potential remedy for painful conditions (1,2).
  • Anti-inflammatory effect: Extracts of the flowers show anti-inflammatory properties in studies, which is attributed to flavonoids and essential oils (1,2,3,4,5).
  • Calming effects: Rose scent and rose extracts have been shown to have a relaxing effect on the nervous system and can reduce stress (2,6).
  • Antioxidant protection: The petals contain a multitude of polyphenols that can neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress (2,3,4,5).
  • Antimicrobial effect: Studies suggest an antimicrobial effect originating from the constituents of the Damask Rose (5).
  • Cognitive functions: Studies suggest that active compounds of the plant can help with learning and memory disorders and protect against dementia-related nerve damage (3,7).
  • Skin care: Rose water is traditionally used to soothe sensitive or inflamed skin – an area in which modern cosmetics also increasingly draw on natural ingredients and which is plausibly supported by the aforementioned properties.

How does the Damask Rose work in the body?

The effect comes primarily from flavonoids (e.g., quercetin), tannins, and essential oils (especially citronellol, geraniol, nerol) (1,2,3,6).

Are there risks or side effects?

  • Allergic reactions: In rare cases, sensitive individuals may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions to essential rose oils.
  • Irritation potential with overdose: Highly concentrated rose oil can cause irritation when applied directly to the skin – proper dilution is therefore important, and in case of doubt, use should be supervised by a medical professional.
  • Not suitable for consumption without labeling: Rose products from conventional cultivation can be contaminated with pesticides – therefore, only products explicitly declared as food-grade should be ingested. In case of doubt, intake should take place under medical supervision.

Conclusion

The Damask Rose is not only a beautiful flower, it also has a long tradition in natural medicine. Its constituents have shown diverse potential in studies – from anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects to calming properties. Both as an herbal remedy and as a cosmetic ingredient, it remains a fascinating natural product. As with all natural substances, however, attention should also be paid to origin and quality with the Damask Rose. As far as the effects are concerned, it should also be added that far more research is necessary to fully understand all facets of the effects of the Damask Rose, even though the studies to date suggest great potential.

Sources:

  1. Hajhashemi, V., Ghannadi, A., & Hajiloo, M. (2010). Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Rosa damascena Hydroalcoholic Extract and its Essential Oil in Animal Models. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR, 9(2), 163–168.
  2. Mahboubi, M. (2016). Rosa damascena as holy ancient herb with novel applications. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 6(1), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2015.09.005
  3. Beheshti, F., Ahmadabady, S., Baghcheghi, Y., Anaeigoudari, A., & Hosseini, M. M. (2021). A mini review of neuropharmacological effects of Rosa damascena Herrm. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 28, Article e49. https://doi.org/10.34172/PS.2021.49
  4. Boskabady, M. H., Shafei, M. N., Saberi, Z., & Amini, S. (2011). Pharmacological effects of rosa damascena. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences, 14(4), 295–307.
  5. J.V.S. Chandana, G. Arun Kumar, B. Vaishnavi, A. Adarsh, T. Rama Rao. A review on antioxidant activity of Rosa Damascena. International Journal of Research and Review. 2024; 11(3): 156-162. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20240321
  6. Esfandiary, E., Abdolali, Z., Omranifard, V., Ghanadian, M., Bagherian-Sararoud, R., Karimipour, M., Mahaki, B., & Dabiri, S. (2018). Novel Effects of Rosa damascena Extract on Patients with Neurocognitive Disorder and Depression: A Clinical Trial Study. International journal of preventive medicine, 9, 57. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_199_17
  7. Awale, S., Tohda, C., Tezuka, Y., Miyazaki, M., & Kadota, S. (2011). Protective Effects of Rosa damascena and Its Active Constituent on Aβ(25-35)-Induced Neuritic Atrophy. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2011, 131042. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nep149