Red Rose Otto (Rosa Indica): The Ancient Rose of Indus Valley By Krishana Chaitanya
- Aromatika Magazine
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Pg. 22-29 - 6-minute read
The Indus Valley civilisation featured advanced urban planning with wide roads, brick houses, drainage systems, and even early distillation technology, proven by a 1975 excavation that uncovered a terracotta still. As attacks increased in the western regions, distillation practices and red rose cultivation gradually shifted toward the Ganges River. In ancient Ayurveda, the native red rose (Rosa indica) was highly valued for its medicinal properties, distinguishing it from later-introduced varieties like Rosa damascena. Texts such as the 16th-century Bhavprakash Nighantu describe rose as cooling, heart-supportive, rejuvenating, and beneficial for digestion, skin, and the reproductive system.
The rose has long symbolized life, emotion, beauty, and love, earning a central place in poetry and culture across India and beyond. Its deep red color signifies vitality and worldly experience, complementing the lotus, which represents spiritual transcendence. Ayurveda, aromatherapy, and herbalism primarily work with five key species: Rosa indica, Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia, Rosa rugosa, and Rosa alba.
Red rose essential oil production thrives in the fertile mid-to-lower Himalayan region, particularly around the Ganges River. Cool weather improves oil yield, and although roses bloom year-round, only the spring "Desi Gulab" is used for distillation. Harvesting begins before sunrise in March and April, and the flowers are distilled in copper stills using slow, steady heat from cow dung fires. An average of 10 kg of red rose oil is produced annually, though output can scale up with contractual demand.
While red rose oil is less known globally, it is cherished within India and widely used in Ayurvedic practice. Rose in various forms—petals, leaves, powder, hydrosol, and essential oil—supports healing across multiple systems. It is traditionally applied for wound care, eye cleansing, mouth ulcers, dental health, lung inflammation, digestive issues, constipation, ulcers, and hyperacidity. Its cooling, soothing, and restorative nature makes it a cornerstone of both classical Ayurveda and modern aromatherapy.
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