The petals of Rosa gallica Linne (nat. ord. Rosaceae), collected before expanding.

Habitat

Asia Minor and Southern Europe; cultivated.

Characters

Usually in small cones, consisting of numerous imbricated, roundish, retuse, deep purple colored, yellow-clawed petals, having a roseate odor and a bitterish, slightly acidulous and distinctly astringent taste.

Composition

The chief constituents are - (1) A volatile oil, in minute quantities. (2) Tannic Acid. (3) Mucilage. (4) Sugar.

Red Rose is contained in Pilulae Aloes et Mastiches.

Preparations

1. Confectio Rosae. - Confection of Rose. Red Rose, 80; Sugar, 640; Clarified Honey, 12; Stronger Rose Water, 160.

Dose, 1/2 to 1 dr.; 2. to 4. gm.

2. Extractum Rosae Fluidum. - Fluid Extract of Rose. By maceration with Glycerin and Diluted Alcohol, and evaporation.

Fluid Extract of Rose is used to make Mel Rosae and Syrupus Rosae.

Dose, 1/4 to 1 fl. dr.; 1. to 4. c.c.

3. Mel Rosae. - Honey of Rose. - Fluid Extract of Rose, 120; Clarified Honey, to 1000.

Dose, freely.

4. Syrupus Rosae. - Syrup of Rose. Fluid Extract of Rose, 125; Syrup, 875.

Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr.; 4. to 8. c.c.

Rosa Centifolia. Pale Rose

The petals of Rosa centifolia Linne (nat. ord. Rosacea).

Habitat

Western Asia; cultivated.

Characters

Roundish-obovate and retuse, or obcordate, pink, fragrant, sweetish, slightly bitter and faintly astringent.

Composition

1) Volatile oil, in minute quantities. (2) Mucilage. (3) Tannic Acid. (4) Malates and Tartrates,,

Oleum Rosae. Oil Of Rose. Attar Of Rose

Synonym. - Attar of Rose. A volatile oil distilled from the fresh flowers of Rosa damascena Miller (nat. ord. Rosacea).

Habitat

Cultivated in Bulgaria.

Characters

A pale yellowish, transparent liquid, having the strong fragrant odor of Rose, and a mild, slightly sweetish taste. Sp. gr., 0.865 to 0.880.

Solubility

It is but slightly soluble in Alcohol.

Composition

Its principal constituent is Rhodinol, or Geraniol, C10H18O, a volatile oil, 12 to 14 per cent., very fragrant, It is an alcohol and is related to Linalool which occurs in Oil of Lavender flowers.

Impurities

Oil of Ginger-grass or Turkish Oil of Geranium, Oil of Rose Geranium, Spermaceti and Paraffin.

Preparations

1. Aqua Rosae Fortior. - Stronger Rose Water. Synonym.- Triple Rose Water. Water saturated with the volatile oil of Rose petals, obtained as a by-product in the distillation of Oil of Rose.

Stronger Rose Water is used to make Confectio Rosae.

Dose, indefinite.

2. Aqua Rosae. - Rose Water. Stronger Rose Water, and Distilled Water, of each, one volume.

Dose, indefinite.

3. Unguentum Aquae Rosae. - Ointment of Rose Water. Synonym. - Cold Cream. Spermaceti, 125; White Wax, 120; Expressed Oil of Almond, 600; Stronger Rose Water, 190; Sodium Borate, 5.

Action And Therapeutics Of Rose

The preparations of rose are pleasant vehicles, the confection for pills and the water for lotions. The infusion (B. P., not official dried petals, 2; diluted sulphuric acid, 1; water, 80) is mildly astringent. The ointment of rose water is a favorite soothing application for the skin.