Rose extract: Benefits and side effects

Rose extract

Know in one minute about Rose extract

  • Rose extract is an excellent source of vitamin C, flavonoids, and many more antioxidants.
  • This extract can be used as a food ingredient, for beauty, and medicinal purposes. 
  • It cleanses, purifies, and whitens the skin.
  • Fight against skin allergic diseases, including pain, ulcer, atopic dermatitis, and a canker sore.
  • Boost natural skin defenses; reduce swelling, wrinkle, and fine lines. 
  • The drink of this extract is antioxidant-rich that prevents various chronic diseases. 
  • Manage diabetes, treat brain injury, and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. 

Introduction

Rose extract can be made by adding rose petals to alcohol to obtain the flavor and aroma. This red or deep pink extract can be used for culinary,  beauty, and home purposes. It can be stored at room temperature for at least one month. 

Rose belongs to the family Rosaceae. The rose petals are an excellent source of vitamin C, and flavonoids and have many health benefits. It can be extracted to produce different products including

1. Rose essential oil

Rose essential oil

This oil can be extracted by steam distillation from the petal. This oil is liquid gold or pale yellow and very expensive. 

2. Rosewater

Rosewater

Rosewater is a colorless liquid made up of fresh or dried rose petals by slowing boiling in distilled water. It contains 10-50% rose oil and has a high value in the food industry.

3. Dried flowers

Dried flowers

Dried flowers are dried buds and petals of rose flowers.  It is used as a laxative agent and flavoring in foods.

4. Rosehips

Rosehips

Rosehips are the berry-like ripe ovaries or seeded fruit of roses. It is formed when petals fall off and the seeds swell and mature. Rose hips are a natural source of vitamin C, minerals and fatty acids, polyphenols, carotenoids, and tannins.

Benefits of rose extract

1. Anti-inflammatory properties

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation produces reactive oxygen species that can damage DNA and cellular proteins resulting in swelling.

However, this extract contains a high amount of anthocyanins, polyphenols, and flavonoids. These compounds reduce harmful radicals and cytokines that cause skin inflammation (1).

2. Anti-allergic properties

Extract of rose contains polyphenols that show high potencies against allergic reactions. Thus, these extracts fight against skin allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis (2).

3. Anticancer properties

This extract is rich in flavonoids, gallic and protocatechuic acids, and tannins. These compounds inhibit the growth and migration of cancer cells and treat lung cancer and colon cancer cells (3).

4. Presence of antioxidants

Rose extract contains antioxidants such as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, terpenes, triterpenoids, and steroids. These antioxidants remove harmful radicals from the body and prevent chronic diseases (4).

5. Reduce the stress on the skin

Application of rose extract on skin with fine lines and a stressful lifestyle decreases skin stress. This extract fights against stress-induced skin fatigue and boosts natural skin defenses (5).

6. The anti-microbial properties

Extract of rose contains flavonoids that kill or slow down the growth of bacteria. It reduces pain, swelling, and duration of ulcers (6). This extract is also effective against fungi that cause skin infections (7).

Furthermore, kaempferol, quercetin, and other compounds of this extract bind with the protein of the cell and inhibit HIV entrance in the cell (8).

7. Skin whitening and Anti-wrinkle properties

Rose extract contains antioxidants like flavonoids that inhibit skin pigmentation and melanin production.

It also promotes procollagen synthesis and reduces skin aging-related enzymes (9). Thus this extract may be used as an anti-aging agent to treat skin pigmentation and wrinkles (10).

8. Anti-aging properties

Extract of rose polyphenols increases the activity of the antioxidant enzyme.  It also decreases the lipid peroxidation level thus slowing down the progression of aging (11).

9. Healthy drink

Rose extract can be used as a natural healthy drink with a combination of mint leaves or ginger or lemon juice. These combinations enhance the flavor and antioxidant activity of the drink (12).

10. Good for the brain

Astrocytes are often known as “helper” cells in the brain. However, under certain circumstances, they can transform into a highly toxic state, kill the brain cells, and cause a stroke.

Rose extract slowing boiling contains polyphenols and flavonoids like pyrogallol (13).  These compounds decrease the number of activated astrocytes, remove harmful radicals and reduce inflammation in brain cells thus treating seizure-related brain injury (14).

11. Manage diabetes

Extract of rose inhibits the α-glucosidase enzyme that slows boiling suppresses the carbohydrate absorption from the small intestine and reduces glucose level (15).

Side effects of rose extract

1. Rose pollen allergy

Like other pollens, rose or rose pollens can also induce allergic symptoms. This allergy may occur both occupationally (rose season) and environmentally (whole year) in person. It mainly affects the upper airways and causes wheezing, asthma, etc. however, this allergy is removed from rose oil, jam, juice, or liqueur after cooking (16).

2. Risk of liver and kidney damage

Intake of this extract in the dog at doses of 90–1440 mg/kg/day (0.5–8 times of human uses) for 10 successive days little affects kidney and liver. Thus, a high dosage of this extract may cause kidney and liver injury (17).

Recipes 

Extract of rose can be used in cake, smoothies, ice cream, sauce, cookies, puddings, doughnuts, truffles, frosting and sweet whipped cream sandwiches, macarons, brownies, and candy. This extract is also perfect for use in pancake mocktails, cocktails, and other drinks such as Kombucha, Raspberry, or Lemonade.

Q&A

1. What is rose extract good for?

This extract contains antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that have incredible benefits. It removes harmful radicals, fights against germs, and reduces swelling and stress. This extract reduces skin fatigue, wrinkle, fine lines, pigmentation, and skin aging-related enzymes.

2. What is a rose extract called?

Extract of rose is a concentrated form of liquid that is obtained from the various species of the Rose. 

3. Is rose extract edible?

Yes, this extract is edible and can be used in baked goods and drinks like mocktails, cocktails, Kombucha, Raspberry, or Lemonade.

4. How do you use rose water extract?

Rosewater extract is used in cooking and baking. It is also used in skincare, hair products, and medicine.

  • To reduce wrinkles, irritation, and other skin problems, rose water may be used as a toner or cleanser, and in a face pack.
  • In frosting, ice cream, jam, pastries, macarons, yogurt, salad, and rice pudding rose water can be used. 
  • It also adds flavor to tea and drinks like cocktail lemonade.
  • The rose water can be sprinkled at weddings, for meditation, and prayer.
  • Due to its anti-microbial and anti-swelling properties, it can be used as a mouthwash to treat gums.
  • It can act as a relaxing and calming agent in bath and sunburn relief.