Our emotional attachment to this heady fragranced and beautiful plant runs deep. The rose as a symbol of love and romance has a long history.

In mythology Aphrodite caused roses to be red by scratching herself on rose thorns while rushing to the side of mortally wounded Adonis. Her blood stained the white blooms it fell on, and so red roses ever more have remained a lover’s token.

Romans worshipped the flowers, used rose wreaths to crown bridal couples, carpeted the floor with petals for banquets, and floated petals in wine and beer believing them to have aphrodisiac properties.Ancient Egyptians also held the flower sacred and petrified rose wreaths have been found in several tombs. Such is the universal appeal of the rose that it’s even a religious symbol.The Rosary was once a string of dried roses.

Napoleon’s wife Josephine adored roses, and had troops collect rose plants during their campaigns until she built an impressive collection that was painted for posterity by Pierre Joseph Redouté.

Medicinal uses of the plant may well go back to ancient civilisations. While there’s some dispute about the origins of the ‘Ring a ring of roses’ rhyme, some say it refers to bunches of herbs and flowers carried to ward off disease. Apothecaries frequently used roses to treat a range of ailments. While they didn’t know it, rosehips are packed with essential nutrients.

The Swiss medical pioneer Paracelsus (1403- 1541) used rose to heal lung and heart conditions. Today doctors employing natural medicines prescribe rose in formulations to treat panic attacks and mild palpitations.

Sweet harvest

Weleda sources the Wild Rose species of Rosa moschata, Rosa rubiginosa and Rosa damascene from partners in Latin America, Germany and Turkey. Operating a fair trade policy, Weleda has long term commitments to ensure a sustainable harvest and safeguard suppliers and their local communities.

Rosehips (musk rose, Rosa moschata) can be harvested from the end of February to March in the Chilean mountains. In the foothills of the Andes, where environmental pollution is minimal, wild rose bushes have spent four centuries spreading.

While used locally to make into teas and foods due to its high vitamin content, it was only discovered around 20 years ago that the little seed kernel contained extremely precious oil – 80-90% unsaturated fatty acids that have remarkable healing ability and can help keep skin blemish free.

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For Weleda, once the seed kernels are hand picked, they are dried, peeled and pressed to extract the valuable virgin seed oil.

Meanwhile, in the German Tauber Valley, Weleda’s farming partners hand pick green leaves of wild Rosa rubiginosa from the end of May to the end of June. Weleda uses these to make an extract with a lightly astringent, toning action. Workers start cutting shoots early in the morning, between 5am and 9am, so they can be quickly distilled before the essential oil can evaporate. The extract is then sent to Weleda where the range is made.

The rose petals we use come from organic Rose damascena (Damask Rose) grown organically in the Turkish Taurus Mountains. Weleda uses almost one-fifth of the entire Rose Absolue on the world market. So, with the help of a Turkish consultant, Weleda has now trained around 300 farmers to switch to organic cultivation, learning how to fight pests with animals, replace synthetic fertilisers with manure, and rediscover love for the environment.

Harvesting the rose petals by hand is incredibly labour intensive. It takes three tonnes of fresh damascena rose petals to make just one litre of the essential oil that’s the queen of fragrances and a key ingredient in many high quality toiletries and cosmetics.

Rose revival

Rose has enjoyed a recent revival and is to be found in many oils, creams and lotions that aim to restore radiance to dull complexions.

Recent trials have demonstrated the ability of Rosa moschata oil to heal post-operative scars. As a good source of retinol, rose also has the ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while its unsaturated fatty acids nourish dry skin. The oil, which is suitable for sensitive skin, can be used to treat skin scarred from acne, or environmental stresses such as cold winds. It can also be a regular treat for mature skin, increasing the skin’s natural resilience and elasticity.

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3 step action plan…Wild Rose bodycare

1 Cleanse

Squeeze a little into your hand and you’ll instantly know Wild Rose Creamy Body Washes are different – as much moisturiser as liquid soap. Standard foaming agents (tensides) can irritate skin and adversely affect the environment. Weleda uses natural pH balanced biodegradable cleansers, made from sugar and coconut, and are especially mild.

Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash harnesses the powers of cold pressed wild rose hips from Rosa moschata, rich in skin-caring essential fatty acids and vitamins A, B and E. Added essential oil of Rosa damascene (Damask rose) provides a delicate spirit-lifting aroma and natural preservative, so synthetic additives can be avoided. Hints of geranium and jasmine essential oils complete the skin-friendly feminine fragrance. Organic sesame oil is included to protect against moisture loss, leaving skin soft and smooth.

2 Moisturise

After two weeks use, a dermatological study has shown that Wild Rose Body Lotion gives visible improvement in skin elasticity and hydration.

The essential fatty acids from wild musk rose (Rosa moschata) are prized for their natural healing ability, helping keep skin blemish free.

Wild Rose Body Lotion also uses biodynamic plant extracts of soothing calendula, gently toning witch hazel, enriching jojoba, pampering shea butter and unbleached beeswax to keep skin supple and smooth.

Working in harmony, the ingredients maintain the natural oil and water balance of the skin’s protective outer layer, while the blend of pure essential oils provide natural fragrance and preservative.

Suitable for most skin types, this 100% natural body lotion leaves skin velvet smooth, and can double as a sensuous ‘after sun’ drench.

3 Spritz

Rose is valued by aromatherapists for mood-enhancing, easing irritation, soothing, and restoring harmony.The Rosa damascena essential oil in the heavenly smelling Wild Rose Deodorant is great for underarms, or spritzing over the body or hair for a lingering summery scent.

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The plant-based alcohol in Weleda’s 100% natural deodorant is derived from wheat. The action of alcohol is preservative, avoiding the need for artificial additives, and also cooling and lightly astringent – just what we want from a deodorant.

Marie-Claire magazine’s ‘Chemical-free challenge’ gave Weleda Deodorants the highest mark – 5 out of 5 - above all natural deodorant competitors.

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Other Weleda products which contain Rose extract:

•	Calendula & Chamomile Shampoo	For all the family, specially mild for sensitive scalps
•	Calendula & Chamomile Conditioner	For all the family, specially mild for sensitive scalps
•	Lip Salve	Natural waxes soothe and protect
•	Wild Rose Cleansing Lotion	A creamy, mild lotion
•	Wild Rose Facial Toner	A gentle tonic to stimulate and purify facial skin
•	Wild Rose Moisture Cream	A light day and night cream for normal to oily skin
•	Wild Rose Day Cream	A nourishing day cream to protect normal to dry skin
•	Wild Rose Night Cream	Intensive care to deep-nourish during the night
•	Wild Rose Intensive Facial Oil	A rich yet light oil suitable for all skin types
•	Wild Rose Intensive Facial Masque	Intensive care masque, to help tired skin
•	Wild Rose Intensive Eye Cream	Fragrance-free cream for special care of delicate eye area

Try our fabulous rejuvenating DIY facial using Wild Rose Facial Care >

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