40 PLANT LANGUAGE - Aromatherapy

Absolutes

What better example to explore the difference

between an essential oil and an absolute than Rose. Absolute production from

Rosa centifolia is prevalent in Morocco, whereas Rosa

damascena is primarily distilled in Turkey and

Bulgaria, but also in Iran and parts of the former Soviet

Union.

The differences in chemical composition between the

essential oil and the absolute are well researched. A

substantial concentration of phenyl ethyl alcohol is

present in the absolute, yet only very little in the

essential oil. The difference in fragrance is dramatic. Roses

Pictured on the right is the elusive Rosa gallica, with its unimitable, most sublime fragrance. To the far right is Rosa centifolia.