The Scientific Journey of the Rose: From Traditional Knowledge to Modern Research

The Scientific Journey of the Rose: From Traditional Knowledge to Modern Research

From traditional uses to chemical analysis, from laboratory experiments to human studies: explore the scientific evidence surrounding Rosa damascena, the methods used to investigate it, and the future of rose research.

The rose is much more than one of the most beloved flowers in human history. Beyond its fragrance, beauty, and cultural significance, it has played an important role in everyday life for centuries through rose water, rose essential oil, rose petals, and various botanical extracts.

Rosa damascena, commonly associated with the Isparta region of Türkiye, has a particularly rich history. Across Anatolia, the Middle East, and other regions, it has been used in perfumery, personal care, food and beverage preparation, cultural ceremonies, and traditional medicinal practices.

But what can modern science actually tell us about this remarkable flower?

Which molecules give roses their characteristic fragrance? Why do rose essential oil and rose water have different chemical compositions? Do antioxidant or antimicrobial activities observed in laboratory experiments also occur in humans? Has the relationship between rose fragrance, mood, anxiety, and sleep been investigated scientifically?

Today, researchers explore these questions using advanced chemical instruments, cell and tissue models, controlled human studies, and increasingly sophisticated measurement technologies.

However, one fundamental scientific principle must be understood:

The fact that a plant has been used for centuries does not mean that all of its traditionally attributed effects have been scientifically demonstrated.

Traditional knowledge can help identify questions worth investigating. Scientific research then examines whether those observations hold true, under what conditions, with which products, and with what degree of confidence.

This is where the scientific journey of the rose begins.

Rose Academy Note

Traditional knowledge and modern science are not opposing approaches.

Traditional uses reflect observations and experiences accumulated over generations. Science investigates the questions arising from those experiences through controlled experiments, measurable outcomes, and independent research.

1. What Can We Learn from the Traditional Uses of Roses?

Before the development of modern laboratories, people learned about plants primarily through observation, experience, and knowledge passed down from one generation to the next.

Over time, communities developed practical knowledge about when to harvest plants, which parts to use, and how to prepare them for different purposes.

Roses held an important place within this accumulated knowledge.

Historical and ethnobotanical sources document a wide range of traditional uses, including:

• Fragrance and personal care.

• Flavouring foods and beverages.

• Ceremonies and cultural traditions.

• Skin and oral care.

• Relaxation and sensory refreshment.

• Traditional medicinal practices.

A review published by Başer, Altıntaş, and Kürkçüoğlu in 2012, entitled Turkish Rose, examines the historical use of roses in Anatolian and Ottoman culture.

The review illustrates that rose water and rose essential oil were not merely commercial commodities. They were also connected to social life, personal care practices, and cultural traditions.

However, historical use does not establish that a particular biological effect has been reliably demonstrated in humans.

For example, the traditional use of rose fragrance for relaxation may lead modern researchers to ask:

Does the scent of roses actually influence anxiety levels? If so, under what conditions, after how much exposure, and in which populations?

The answers to these questions must come from appropriately designed research rather than traditional use alone.

A Note on Botanical Nomenclature

The Isparta rose is frequently identified as Rosa damascena Mill. in scientific publications.

However, the currently accepted botanical name used by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is Rosa × damascena Herrm.

Throughout this article, we use the name Rosa damascena, which remains widely recognized in scientific literature.

2. How Does a Traditional Observation Become a Scientific Research Question?

Scientific investigation often begins with an observation or a question.

For example, the longstanding use of rose water in skincare may encourage researchers to explore its composition, properties, and performance.

Some relevant questions include:

• Which chemical compounds are present in rose water?

• Do their concentrations vary according to the rose species or variety?

• Do distillation duration and manufacturing methods influence the chemical profile?

• Does rose water demonstrate antioxidant activity under laboratory conditions?

• Does it show activity against particular microorganisms?

• Under what conditions is a tested product compatible with the skin and eyes?

• Does its application produce measurable changes in skin hydration or other cosmetic parameters?

• Are the observed results associated with rose water, rose essential oil, or another rose-derived extract?

Each question requires a different scientific approach.

Chemical analysis can investigate the measurable constituents of a product.

Cell culture studies may provide insight into specific biological processes.

Instrument-based human studies can evaluate changes in skin characteristics.

Controlled clinical trials can investigate the effects of specific applications in humans.

The scientifically useful question is therefore not simply, “Is rose beneficial?”

It is:

Which rose-derived product, at what concentration, through which application method, under what conditions, and for which measurable outcome is being investigated?

This distinction is fundamental to interpreting scientific publications correctly.

3. Which Rose-Derived Product Is Actually Being Studied?

One of the first steps in evaluating rose research is identifying the exact material used in the study.

This is important because a rose is not a single chemical product.

Different ingredients obtained from the same plant can vary considerably depending on their preparation and manufacturing methods.

For example, findings obtained with rose essential oil cannot automatically be applied to rose water.

Likewise, biological activity observed in a concentrated rose petal extract under laboratory conditions cannot be assumed to occur to the same extent in a facial mist used in everyday skincare.

Why Are Rose Essential Oil and Rose Water Different?

Rose essential oil and rose water may contain different proportions of the aromatic compounds transferred during distillation.

These differences are influenced by several chemical properties, including volatility, water solubility, and the distribution of compounds between oil and water phases.

For example, phenethyl alcohol may be prominent in the aromatic profile of rose water, while citronellol, geraniol, and nerol are important components of the characteristic profile of rose essential oil.

However, these general patterns do not mean that every rose-derived product has a fixed or identical chemical composition.

Rose Academy Note

When reading a scientific study, the first question should not simply be, “What did the researchers find?”

It should be:

“Which rose-derived material was studied, and how was it prepared?”

4. What Does Modern Science Know About the Chemical Composition of Roses?

Rosa damascena is a botanical material containing numerous aromatic and other chemical compounds.

The chemical compositions of rose flowers, essential oil, distillate, and botanical extracts are not identical.

Frequently investigated constituents of rose essential oil include:

• Citronellol.

• Geraniol.

• Nerol.

• Linalool.

• Certain long-chain hydrocarbons.

• Other volatile compounds present at lower concentrations.

The aromatic profile of rose water is influenced by compounds capable of entering the aqueous phase.

Phenethyl alcohol is an important example.

However, exact concentrations may vary depending on cultivation conditions, harvesting practices, distillation methods, and sample preparation techniques.

Scientific Research Example: A 2017 Comparison of Rose Distillation Products

A study published in 2017 by Hasan Baydar and Nilgün Göktürk Baydar compared three products obtained from the distillation of Rosa damascena flowers:

Rose essential oil, rose water, and residual distillation water (stillage).

The researchers collected fresh rose flowers from a research garden associated with Süleyman Demirel University and subjected them to laboratory-scale hydrodistillation.

The resulting products were examined using several analytical techniques:

• Volatile compounds were investigated using GC–MS.

• Phenolic constituents were examined using appropriate chemical analytical methods.

• Antioxidant and antiradical activities were evaluated using laboratory techniques such as DPPH and FRAP assays.

In the reported relative volatile compound profiles, citronellol was among the prominent components of rose essential oil, while phenethyl alcohol was particularly notable in rose water and residual distillation water.

The study also reported that the residual distillation water and rose essential oil demonstrated higher activity than rose water in certain laboratory antioxidant assays.

The significance of this research goes beyond identifying which product showed the highest activity in a particular test.

It illustrates that different distillation products obtained from the same flowers may possess different chemical characteristics and laboratory-measured properties.

Two scientific limitations must be considered.

First, relative compound percentages reported through GC–MS should not be confused with absolute concentrations in the complete product.

Second, antioxidant activity measured through DPPH or FRAP assays does not directly demonstrate the same biological effect in human skin.

The study is therefore valuable for understanding the chemistry and laboratory properties of rose distillation products, but it should not be presented as direct proof of clinical effectiveness.

5. Which Modern Analytical Methods Are Used to Study Roses?

Scientific research on roses extends far beyond evaluating their appearance or fragrance.

Researchers now use different methods to investigate chemical composition, microbiological quality, physical characteristics, biological activity, and effects in humans.

GC–MS: Identifying Chemical Compounds

GC–MS stands for Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry.

Gas chromatography helps separate volatile compounds that can be analyzed under the selected conditions.

Mass spectrometry then helps researchers investigate the chemical identities of those compounds using their mass spectra.

GC–MS is an important technique for characterizing the volatile chemical profiles of rose essential oil and rose distillate.

GC–FID: Measuring Chromatographic Compounds

GC–FID refers to gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detection.

This method measures signals associated with organic compounds separated through gas chromatography.

With appropriate reference standards and calibration, it can be used for quantitative analysis of selected substances.

Unlike GC–MS, GC–FID does not directly provide mass spectra for compound identification.

HPLC and LC–MS/MS: Investigating Other Chemical Groups

HPLC stands for High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.

LC–MS/MS combines liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

These techniques can be used to investigate phenolic constituents and various non-volatile compounds when appropriate analytical methods are available.

They are particularly valuable in the study of rose petal extracts.

Headspace–SPME–GC–MS: Studying Volatile Compounds Above a Product

Headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with GC–MS allows researchers to sample and analyze volatile compounds present in the gas phase above a material.

This technique can be useful when investigating the fragrance profile of rose water or other hydrosols.

However, the distribution of compounds measured in the headspace does not necessarily represent the complete chemical composition of the liquid.

FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy

These spectroscopic methods use signals associated with molecular vibrations to examine certain chemical and physical characteristics.

With appropriate method development and validation, they may assist in comparing chemical fingerprints and detecting selected differences between products.

Microbiological Analysis

Microbiological tests are used to assess the microbiological quality of a product.

They may investigate the presence or quantity of particular bacteria, yeasts, and moulds.

However, compliance with microbiological quality criteria does not establish that a product has specific biological benefits.

Instrument-Based Skin Measurements

With appropriate instruments and study designs, researchers can investigate parameters such as:

• Skin hydration.

• Skin elasticity.

• The appearance of pigmentation.

• Certain measurements associated with wrinkles.

• Other cosmetic performance characteristics.

Reliable interpretation requires consideration of the tested product, study conditions, number of participants, measurement duration, and whether a control group was included.

Scientific Explanation

A chemical analysis instrument helps investigate what a product contains.

A skin measurement instrument evaluates measurable changes under specified conditions.

Neither can automatically establish a biological or clinical effect that the method was not designed to measure.

6. What Do Laboratory Studies Tell Us About Roses?

Laboratory research involving Rosa damascena and other rose-derived products has investigated antioxidant activity, antimicrobial properties, inflammation-related processes, and cellular responses.

These studies are valuable, but their findings must be interpreted within the conditions in which they were obtained.

Antioxidant Research

Methods such as DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP are used to evaluate antioxidant or reducing capacity in particular chemical testing systems.

When a sample demonstrates activity in these assays, it indicates a measurable chemical property under laboratory conditions.

However, effects in human skin involve additional factors.

The amount of a compound reaching the skin, the formulation, the biological environment, exposure duration, and individual skin characteristics may all influence the outcome.

Therefore, laboratory antioxidant capacity and demonstrated anti-aging effects on human skin are not the same thing.

Antimicrobial Research

Various rose essential oils, extracts, and other rose-derived materials have been studied for their activity against microorganisms.

These experiments may investigate whether a particular sample inhibits the growth of certain bacteria or fungi.

However, the interpretation depends on the identity and concentration of the tested product, the experimental method, and the microorganisms involved.

Inhibition observed under laboratory conditions does not demonstrate that the product can treat an infection in humans.

Cell Culture Research

Cell models allow researchers to examine how specific substances may influence cell viability, proliferation, oxidative stress, or inflammation-related processes.

These studies are useful for exploring potential mechanisms of action.

However, a cell culture model does not reproduce the full complexity of the human body.

A positive result in a cellular experiment therefore does not guarantee that the same effect will occur in people.

7. What Do Human Studies Reveal About Roses?

One important area of scientific investigation concerns the relationship between rose aromatherapy and certain psychological or physiological outcomes in humans.

However, human studies vary in their methods, products, participant populations, and strength of evidence.

Research Example 1: A 2021 Meta-Analysis on Anxiety, Depression, and Stress

A systematic review and meta-analysis published by Rasooli and colleagues in Phytotherapy Research in 2021 evaluated randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of Rosa damascena applications on anxiety, depression, and stress in adults.

The researchers evaluated 32 publications.

The pooled findings reported results associated with:

• Reduced state anxiety.

• Improvements in depression measures.

• Reduced stress measures.

However, a statistically significant effect was not demonstrated for trait anxiety.

The researchers also noted that the quality of evidence ranged from very low to moderate and that higher-quality studies were needed.

An important distinction applies here.

The meta-analysis included different forms of Rosa damascena application. Its findings should not all be attributed exclusively to inhaling rose essential oil or applying rose water to the skin.

What this study tells us: Certain findings are promising, but they do not establish a definitive effect for every application method or every individual.

Research Example 2: A 2023 Aromatherapy Study on Anxiety and Sleep Quality in Burn Patients

A randomized clinical trial published by Mokhtari and colleagues in the journal Burns in 2023 investigated the effects of rose essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on anxiety and sleep quality.

The study involved 60 burn patients.

Participants in the intervention group received rose essential oil inhalation aromatherapy according to a defined protocol over three nights, in addition to routine care.

Distilled water was used in the comparison group.

The researchers reported statistically significant differences between groups in measures of anxiety and sleep quality.

These findings are noteworthy.

However, the study was conducted in a particular clinical setting, among a specific patient population, and over a limited intervention period.

The product investigated was also rose essential oil, not rose water or rose distillate.

The results therefore do not directly establish that a rose water facial mist improves sleep quality in everyday use.

Research Example 3: Rose Aromatherapy Before Coronary Angiography

A randomized controlled trial conducted by Bikmoradi and colleagues investigated the effects of Damask rose inhalation aromatherapy on stress, anxiety, and selected physiological measurements before coronary angiography.

The study involved 98 patients.

Participants in one group received the defined inhalation intervention, while distilled water was used for comparison in the other group.

The researchers reported statistically significant differences in stress and anxiety measures and certain hemodynamic parameters.

This research illustrates how rose aromatherapy can be investigated in specific medical settings.

However, the findings do not demonstrate that rose fragrance produces the same effect in everyone or that aromatherapy can replace appropriate medical treatment.

How Should We Interpret These Three Studies Together?

These studies share an interest in the relationship between Rosa damascena applications and human outcomes.

However, they differ in several important respects:

• Participant populations.

• Products studied.

• Methods of application.

• Intervention duration.

• Comparison groups.

• Outcomes measured.

For these reasons, the findings of one study should not be generalized to all rose-derived products.

Rose Academy Note

A human study addresses a different research question from a laboratory experiment.

However, saying that a product has been “studied in humans” is not sufficient on its own.

The number of participants, study design, comparison group, application method, and reproducibility of the findings must also be considered.

8. How Should Scientific Evidence Be Evaluated?

Scientific evidence is often presented using an “evidence pyramid.”

However, placing all research methods into a single hierarchy is not always appropriate.

Different methods answer different questions.

For example, identifying the chemical constituents of a product requires a suitable analytical method.

Investigating the effect of a cosmetic product on skin hydration may require an appropriately designed human study.

Matching Scientific Methods to Research Questions

Does Statistical Significance Always Mean a Meaningful Benefit?

No.

A statistically significant difference does not automatically mean that the observed change is important in daily life or clinically meaningful.

The magnitude of the effect, reliability of the measurements, differences between participants, and relevance to actual use must also be considered.

Similarly, a meta-analysis does not automatically provide strong evidence.

If the studies included in a meta-analysis have substantial methodological limitations, the certainty of the pooled findings may remain low.

The strength of scientific evidence depends not simply on the type of study, but also on whether its methods are appropriate for the question and how rigorously it was conducted.

9. Why Must Safety Be Evaluated Separately in Rose Research?

The scientific evaluation of a botanical ingredient involves more than investigating its potential benefits.

Safety is equally important.

Because rose essential oil, rose water, and other rose-derived products differ in composition and concentration, safety assessments should be appropriate for the specific material and its intended use.

Relevant areas of investigation may include:

• Skin irritation.

• Eye irritation.

• Allergic sensitization.

• Microbiological quality.

• Chemical and physical stability.

• Amount applied.

• Area of application.

• Frequency of use.

• Interactions with other formulation ingredients.

The fact that a product is naturally derived does not mean it is risk-free for every individual or under every condition of use.

Concentrated essential oils and certain fragrance constituents, in particular, may cause unwanted reactions in sensitive individuals.

What Does OECD Test Guideline 491 Evaluate?

OECD Test Guideline 491 describes an in-vitro method intended to support the classification of certain chemicals in relation to serious eye damage or eye irritation.

The method evaluates cell viability under defined experimental conditions.

A result obtained using this test provides relevant safety information within the method's specified scope.

However, a single laboratory test does not automatically cover:

• Every possible condition of use.

• All individual sensitivities.

• Every cosmetic formulation.

• All long-term or repeated exposure scenarios.

Safety statements must therefore remain consistent with the tested product and the scope of the relevant test method.

10. Why Does the Manufacturing Process Influence Scientific Results?

Rose water may appear to be a straightforward product category, but not all rose waters are manufactured in the same way.

The botanical material and manufacturing conditions may influence the chemical and physical characteristics of the final product.

Important variables include:

• Botanical identity and growing region.

• Harvest timing and flower freshness.

• Post-harvest storage conditions.

• Flower-to-water ratio.

• Use of copper or stainless-steel equipment.

• Hydrodistillation or steam distillation.

• Distillation duration and temperature conditions.

• Design and efficiency of the cooling system.

• Whether the rose essential oil fraction is separated.

• Whether further distillation or cohobation is performed.

• Filtration, filling, and storage conditions.

Consequently, it would be scientifically inappropriate to assume that two research samples identified simply as “rose water” are equivalent.

De-Oiled and Non-De-Oiled Rose Distillates

In certain production methods focused on obtaining rose essential oil, the separable oil phase of the condensed aromatic liquid is collected.

In the non-de-oiled rose distillate approach, the essential oil fraction is not deliberately removed as a separate product.

These approaches may produce differences in chemical composition and physical properties.

However, not separating the oil does not mean that every oil constituent becomes completely dissolved in water or that the resulting product is inherently more effective.

Meaningful comparisons require clearly defined production methods and standardized analytical procedures.

Using the same botanical source does not guarantee the same scientific outcome.

11. Where Does Akita's Non-De-Oiled Rose Distillate Fit into This Scientific Journey?

In 2003, Akita developed a manufacturing approach that focused on obtaining the rose distillate itself rather than separating rose essential oil as an independent product.

Known as Non-De-Oiled Rose Water, this approach is designed to obtain the distillate without deliberately removing the volatile essential oil fraction as a separate product.

Akita's work extends beyond the development of its manufacturing process to include the investigation of chemical, microbiological, and physical characteristics.

These different investigations address different scientific questions.

Chemical Profile: GC–MS Analysis

A GC–MS analysis dated July 2, 2024, and shared by Akita examined the volatile constituent profile of its non-de-oiled rose distillate.

The principal reported compounds included:

These figures represent the reported relative GC–MS results for the sample analyzed.

For example, a phenethyl alcohol value of 79.54% does not mean that 79.54% of the total mass of the bottled product consists of phenethyl alcohol.

Furthermore, a single GC–MS profile does not establish that all manufacturing batches have an identical chemical composition.

Microbiological Quality and Stability Studies

Akita's research activities have included microbiological analyses and stability assessments under different storage conditions.

Microbiological quality testing provides information about the microbiological status of the tested samples.

Stability studies can investigate how a product's physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics change over time under specified conditions.

However, long-term stability observed in particular samples does not automatically guarantee identical results for every manufacturing batch or storage environment.

Eye Irritation Assessment

Akita has arranged for its tested non-de-oiled rose distillate to undergo an eye irritation assessment using OECD Test Guideline 491.

The result contributes to the safety characterization of the tested sample within the defined scope of the method.

However, proper scientific interpretation requires consideration of the exact product tested, the laboratory report, and the classification limits of the test.

Skin Performance Measurements

Research reported by Akita has also included measurements relating to cosmetic parameters such as hydration, signs of skin aging, and the appearance of pigmentation.

These studies may provide valuable information about measurable changes under particular test conditions.

However, the strength of the evidence depends on factors such as:

• The number of samples or participants.

• The application protocol.

• The measurement methods.

• The presence or absence of a comparison group.

• The overall study design.

Instrument-based measurements should therefore not be confused with broad clinical evidence of effectiveness.

RF Measurements: Investigating Physical Signal Characteristics

Akita's research activities have also included measurements comparing the responses of different rose-derived products in radiofrequency (RF) measurement setups.

Such investigations can be used to explore whether samples exhibit differences in physical signal characteristics under specified measurement conditions.

However, RF measurements do not provide the same information as established chemical characterization methods such as GC–MS.

Furthermore, an RF signal or peak does not, by itself, demonstrate that rose distillate produces a particular biological effect in the human body.

Meaningful progress in this area requires standardized measurement setups, control of environmental interference, repeated measurements with blinded samples, and independent validation.

The Significance of Akita's Research Approach

Akita's work represents an effort to investigate a traditional botanical ingredient through measurable scientific characteristics rather than relying solely on its historical uses.

Chemical analysis, microbiological quality testing, stability assessment, safety evaluation, and cosmetic performance testing do not answer the same question.

Each contributes to understanding a different aspect of the ingredient.

Findings must be interpreted within the scope of the methods and samples used.

In this context, Akita's approach illustrates how traditional knowledge of rose distillation can be connected with modern measurement techniques.

12. How Are New Technologies Changing Rose Research?

As scientific techniques advance, researchers can investigate an increasingly broad range of rose characteristics.

Metabolomics, advanced mass spectrometry, genomics, and various spectroscopic techniques now offer opportunities for more detailed studies.

Important Questions for Future Research

Potential research priorities include:

• Genetic verification of Rosa damascena varieties.

• Investigation of how growing regions influence chemical composition.

• Examination of the effects of harvesting and storage conditions on rose distillate.

• Direct comparison of de-oiled and non-de-oiled distillates under standardized conditions.

• Investigation of how different manufacturing methods influence the distribution of aromatic compounds.

• Evaluation of the physical stability of rose distillates.

• Investigation of potential interactions with the skin microbiome using appropriate models.

• Further examination of laboratory findings relevant to oral care.

• Long-term monitoring of chemical and microbiological stability.

• Investigation of reproducible relationships between chemical profiles and different physical measurements.

• Evaluation of laboratory findings through appropriately designed controlled human studies.

Advancing these areas requires accurately identified samples and analytical methods that can produce comparable results across laboratories.

For example, future studies could investigate whether reproducible relationships exist between the chemical profile of rose distillates and their measured physical RF responses.

Even if such relationships are established, any connection to cosmetic or biological effects would need to be investigated separately.

An Important Research Question

Scientifically meaningful comparisons of rose distillates require detailed manufacturing descriptions, standardized sample preparation, independent laboratory analysis, and reproducible results.

13. Why Can Scientific Evidence Change Over Time?

Science is not a fixed body of knowledge completed once and never revised.

As new research methods become available, earlier findings can be re-examined.

Studies involving larger groups of participants may produce results that differ from those of small pilot investigations.

A laboratory finding may later be confirmed, qualified, or not supported by independent researchers.

This is not a weakness of science.

It reflects science's ability to correct and improve itself.

Scientific publications should therefore use language that accurately reflects the strength and limitations of the evidence.

Examples of appropriately qualified statements include:

• “Antioxidant activity was observed under laboratory conditions.”

• “In-vitro inhibition was observed against a particular microorganism.”

• “Selected volatile compounds were detected in the tested sample.”

• “A measurable change in skin hydration was reported under the study conditions.”

• “Preliminary findings are promising.”

• “Further independent research is required to confirm these results.”

Such wording makes clear the conditions under which a finding applies.

By contrast, broad claims such as “Cures every disease,” “Stops aging,” or “All benefits have been conclusively proven” may go beyond what the available scientific evidence supports.

Five Questions to Ask When Reading Rose Research

1. Which product was studied? Was it rose essential oil, rose water, distillate, or an extract?

2. How was it studied? Was the method chemical analysis, a cell experiment, an animal model, or a human study?

3. Who or what was examined? What were the participant numbers, sample characteristics, and comparison conditions?

4. What was actually measured? Chemical composition, microbial growth, skin hydration, or anxiety levels?

5. How generalizable are the findings? Have the results been independently reproduced, and can they reasonably be applied to other products?

These questions can help readers interpret scientific findings more critically, not only in rose research but also across cosmetic and botanical sciences.

Chapter Summary: From Traditional Knowledge to Measurable Science

The scientific journey of the rose began with traditional uses and has become increasingly detailed and measurable through modern research methods.

Today, researchers are:

• Identifying the chemical composition of rose-derived products.

• Comparing different distillation products.

• Investigating biological activities under laboratory conditions.

• Conducting safety and stability assessments.

• Studying outcomes associated with specific applications in humans.

• Exploring additional characteristics using emerging analytical technologies.

The 2017 study of rose distillation products demonstrated that rose essential oil, rose water, and residual distillation water obtained from the same flowers can have different chemical and laboratory-measured characteristics.

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2021 reported findings associated with improvements in certain measures of anxiety, depression, and stress following Rosa damascena applications.

A controlled human study published in 2023 investigated the relationship between rose essential oil aromatherapy, anxiety, and sleep quality in a specific patient population.

However, the findings from these studies cannot automatically be applied to every rose-derived product.

Rose essential oil, rose water, rose distillate, and different botanical extracts are not chemically identical materials.

Akita's investigations of its non-de-oiled rose distillate form another part of this scientific journey.

The objective of this approach is to move beyond historical use alone and separately investigate the product's manufacturing history, chemical profile, physical characteristics, and performance under specific testing conditions.

Traditional knowledge has left us with valuable questions.

The role of modern science is to investigate those questions using appropriately identified materials, suitable methods, controlled research, and carefully qualified conclusions.

The history of the rose has been shaped by traditional knowledge. Its scientific future will be shaped by careful, reproducible, and transparent research.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Traditional Use Considered Scientific Evidence?

Traditional use represents a form of historical and ethnobotanical evidence.

However, it does not independently demonstrate clinical effectiveness in humans.

Traditional observations can provide valuable starting points for scientific research.

2. Can Findings from Rose Essential Oil Studies Be Applied to Rose Water?

Not automatically.

Rose essential oil and rose water differ in their chemical profiles, concentrations, and methods of application.

Research involving the specific product may be needed before conclusions can be transferred.

3. Does GC–MS Analysis Prove the Benefits of Rose Water?

No.

GC–MS is used to investigate volatile compounds that can be measured using a suitable analytical method.

It provides information about chemical composition but does not independently establish effects on the skin or human health.

4. If Rose Water Shows Antioxidant Activity in a Laboratory, Will It Have the Same Effect on Human Skin?

Not necessarily.

Chemical activity measured under laboratory conditions is different from biological processes occurring in human skin.

Appropriate biological and human studies are needed to evaluate effects on the skin.

5. Have the Effects of Rose Fragrance on Anxiety and Sleep Been Studied?

Yes.

Controlled human studies have investigated Rosa damascena aromatherapy and other applications.

Some studies have reported favourable findings.

However, the products, methods, participants, and strength of evidence vary.

These findings should therefore not be interpreted as a universal or definitive treatment recommendation.

6. Does a Human Study Automatically Prove That a Product Is Effective?

No.

Study design, participant numbers, comparison groups, measurement methods, effect size, and independent replication are all important.

7. Is the Chemical Composition of Rose Water Always the Same?

No.

Botanical source, growing region, harvest timing, flower storage, distillation method, processing conditions, and essential oil separation procedures may influence the chemical profile.

8. Are Natural Rose Products Completely Safe for Everyone?

Natural origin alone does not guarantee complete safety.

Safety depends on the product's identity, composition, concentration, application method, and individual sensitivity.

9. Why Should Akita's Non-De-Oiled Rose Distillate Be Studied Separately?

Under Akita's described manufacturing approach, the volatile essential oil fraction is not deliberately removed as a separate product.

This process may influence the chemical and physical characteristics of the resulting distillate.

Appropriate analytical testing and direct comparisons are required to establish any differences.

10. Do RF Measurements Demonstrate That Roses Produce Specific Effects in Humans?

No.

RF measurements can be used to investigate physical signal characteristics under defined experimental conditions.

Establishing whether those signals are associated with biological or cosmetic effects in humans requires separate and appropriately designed scientific research.

11. Has Science Confirmed Every Traditional Use of Roses?

No.

Some areas have produced promising research findings.

However, evidence for other traditional uses may remain limited, insufficient, or not directly applicable to the product or use being considered.

Scientific References and Technical Sources

Historical, Botanical, and General Scientific Literature

1. Başer, K. H. C., Altıntaş, A., & Kürkçüoğlu, M. (2012). Turkish Rose: A Review of the History, Ethnobotany, and Modern Uses of Rose Petals, Rose Oil, Rose Water, and Other Rose Products. HerbalGram, 96, 40–53.

https://umb.herbalgram.org/media/0kveugu0/issue96.pdf

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. Akram, M., et al. (2020). Chemical constituents, experimental and clinical pharmacology of Rosa damascena: A literature review. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 72(2), 161–174.

https://doi.org/10.1111/jphp.13185

4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.Rosa × damascena Herrm. Plants of the World Online. Accepted botanical nomenclature.

https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77394892-1

Chemical and Laboratory Research

5. Baydar, H., & Göktürk Baydar, N. (2017). Yağ Gülü (Rosa damascena Mill.)’nde Distilasyon Ürünlerinin Uçucu Yağ ve Fenolik Madde İçerikleri ile Antiradikal ve Antioksidan Aktiviteleri [Essential Oil and Phenolic Compound Contents and Antiradical and Antioxidant Activities of Oil-Bearing Rose Distillation Products]. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 23(1), 1–9.

https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/ankutbd/article/786544

Human Studies and Systematic Reviews

6. Rasooli, T., et al. (2021). Rosa damascena Mill for treating adults’ anxiety, depression, and stress: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), 6585–6606.

https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7243

7. Mokhtari, R., Mirbagher Ajorpaz, N., Abdi, K., & Golitaleb, M. (2023). The effects of Rosa damascene aromatherapy on anxiety and sleep quality in burn patients: A randomized clinical trial. Burns, 49(4), 973–979.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2022.07.017

8. Bikmoradi, A., Roshanaei, G., Moradkhani, S., & Fatahi, A. (2022). Impact of inhalation aromatherapy with Damask Rose (Rosa damascena) on stress, anxiety and hemodynamic parameters of patients undergoing coronary angiography: A single blind randomized clinical trial. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 19(3), 753–761. First published online in 2021.

https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2020-0415

Safety Testing and Technical Documentation

9. OECD (2025). Test No. 491: Short Time Exposure In Vitro Test Method for Identifying Chemicals Inducing Serious Eye Damage and Chemicals Not Requiring Classification for Eye Irritation or Serious Eye Damage. OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals.

https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264242432-en

10. Akita Doğal Ürünler. Company-reported manufacturing information and technical investigations relating to non-de-oiled rose distillate, including GC–MS analyses, microbiological quality assessments, stability studies, OECD 491 evaluation, instrument-based cosmetic performance testing, and preliminary physical RF measurements.

The findings should be interpreted in relation to the samples, dates, analytical methods, and testing conditions documented in the relevant company and laboratory records.

11. Akita Doğal Ürünler.Akita Gül Suyunun Doğal Kokusunun Ardındaki Bilim [The Science Behind the Natural Fragrance of Akita Rose Water]. Company-published information concerning the GC–MS constituent profile dated July 2, 2024.

https://akita.com.tr/article/gul-suyunun-dogal-kokusunun-ardindaki-bilim