Rose Petal Blessings - Rose Infused Oil

There are days that seem to be filled with such wonder that our hearts can hear and our eyes can see that which on an ordinary afternoon we might not even consider as possible. It seems that over the years, somehow these wonder-filled days have taken over in number...somehow, with each moment of gratitude for small wonders, they multiply and the next day becomes sprinkled with more magical moments. One little moment at a time stories begin to weave themselves together, and we find ourselves in the most unlikely presences of beauty experiencing joy and compassion for all that surrounds us. By now, if you have seen my humble posts over the past years, you know that the rose healing blessings have been sprinkling petals of inspiration and guidance on my path.

A few of years ago, while sitting on the balcony of the apartment we lived in temporarily in the company of a rose that was preparing to stretch out its first young leaves, I remembered a number of stories from long ago. They spoke of healing, of beauty, or warmth, and of the power within gentle kindness. The next day, I was finding a source for organic rose petals and preparing a jar of rose-infused almond oil. That little jar became such an important part of my self-care during the weeks to come that year. My skin loved the oil's nourishing richness and the healing power imbued into it by the rose petals. At first, it felt as if it was making me just feel better, but over the weeks to come, the spirit of the rose whispered again and I began adding rose petals to my evening cup of tea sipped in the company of that young potted wild rose I had ever cared for. While all seemed to be the same one day at a time, within a few months, all was so very different. Somehow, being forty that year began to feel wonderous instead of worrisome. My dreams transformed into journeys I loved remembering every morning. The heartfelt less and less achy, and suddenly there came a day when it felt expansive, vast as if it could hug and share the love for all of life without judgment. Was it the rose teaching and healing, or was it the age and its lessons, or was it a little bit of both ... it seemed as if dear Rose opened the door to the realm of love, beauty, compassion, and wisdom that had immense power to heal and transform anything. Her healing extended into the physical body, too. Walking in the woods was again filled with much energy, my sleep was deep again, the redness and the restlessness dissipated, unnecessary worries transformed into peaceful knowing that all challenges are opportunities, I had so much energy and my work became filled with new inspirations.

Somehow, there were people who were inspired to ask me about these changes and I would tell them about the learning and the explorations I have been doing with the healing spirit of the Rose. They came as if out of nowhere, and there were moments that made me wonder if the young potted rose living on my balcony somehow called them. Ever so carefully I shared some of the things Rose taught me with those who asked. Wonderful stories of self-healing came my way. One dear woman shared, "The oil I made feels like a silky cloud hugging me whole after each bath. It did not seem like much was changing one day at a time, but the tea, the oil, the essences, the plant's presence in my space, all came together and somehow one week I realized I feel so much stronger and loved seeing my own asking again." Hearing this from her, brought me so much joy. More stories came over time, but I knew the Rose was inviting me to share some of her lessons with others only this year when my dad, whom, if you ever met him, you would see as the most unlikely person to embrace the healing plant studies, asked me to teach him how to make the rose petal oil. Just that request in itself was a huge message I could not ignore. Of course, without asking any questions, I sent him detailed instructions, and for weeks and weeks after that the Rose kept reminding me that it is time to share some of her teachings with others. Summer is here, time for teachers to explore the world and indulge in some of the things we love to do when we are not with our students. That is how this post has come to be. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy making your own rose-petal infused oil and would love to read your experiences, inspirations, and reflections if you feel inspired to share them in the comments.

Making the Rose Petal Infused Oil

(Please, be sure to obtain the petals from a rose that is edible and grown organically and safely without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc. You can also use edible and medicinal organic dried rose petals for this oil, if you do not have access to a rose plant near you.)

* Journey outside to the Rose in bloom near you. Spend some time in its company with an open heart and an open mind. Breathe with it becoming aware of the exchange between the human kingdom and the plant kingdom. Feel and share gratitude for its presence in any way that feels right to you.

* If it feels right and clear that the blooms are offered and appropriate for you to harvest that day, harvest some of its fully opened blooms. You can do this on several different days until you collect enough petals for your jar.

* Fill a clean glass jar with your rose petals. Slowly and gently pour olive oil ( or almond oil) over the petals allowing it to flow through, under, and around all of the petals in the jar. Close your jar and keep it infusing for three to six weeks. After that, you can press the oil through a fine linen cloth and pour it into a different glass bottle from which you can use it as needed.

* Be sure to label your jar and your bottle and to use the oil within a few months.

Above are some of the photos of the oil-making process from a few weeks ago. The petals come from a humble, gently fragrant garden rose that has been here by our house for quite some time, growing on the edge of the garden, greeting us and visitors quietly and gracefully. Yet, it was only this spring, in the moments of late afternoon stillness that her whisper was heard,

"Be true to your wild self. Do not hide from the world".

Her beauty, graceful and gentle, quiet and strong, reminds of the courage and strength that make blessings of authentic relationships to self and others possible. And, as if to confirm the inspiring message of her whispers, she greeted us a few days later with a very special bi-colored bloom. Brave, unique, true to her wild self.

p.s. There are many amazing resources in print and online where you can read more technical details about the medicinal values of Rose petals, leaves, and hips. This page is really a sharing of experiences, and only includes that which I can tell you from personal experiences. If you would like any suggestions on resources specific to medicinal herbalist information, please feel free to send a note through the comment button or to ask in the comments below.