ABSTRACT
The damask rose is one of the most important Rosa species for flowers and garden cultivation. Roses have been used since the earliest times in rituals, cosmetics, perfumes, medicines and aromatherapy. Rosa damascena has many culinary uses as a flavor additive. Rose water is often sprinkled on meat dishes. Rose essential oil is obtained from the fresh flowers of R. damascena by hydro- or steam-distillation. Rose oil is primarily used as a fragrance ingredient in the perfumery and cosmetics industry and is included in a large number of fine fragrances, creams, soaps, lotions and other cosmetic products. Rose oil is a light yellow, crystallized or mobile liquid, which has a strong floral odor with subtle fruity or green, sweet honey-like background notes. The main producing countries of this oil are Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, Morocco and Iran. Contact allergy to/allergic contact dermatitis from rose oils has been reported in over 25 publications.
