By Amelia E. Stone, RN
Common Name: Rosewood
Latin Binomial: Aniba rosaeodora
Family: Lauraceae
Other Common Names: Bois de Rose
Production Method: Steam Distilled
Countries of Origin: Brazil
Typical Constituents: Linalool (82.3-90.3%), α-Terpineol (0.5-5.4%), [Z]-Linalool oxide (~1.5%), [E]-Linalool oxide (~1.3%), 1,8-Cineole (0.2-2.3%)
Description of Oil: colorless to pale yellow, sweet, woody, floral and slightly spicy
Description of Plant: An evergreen tree that grows to 125 feet in the tropical rain forests of Brazil; bears yellow flowers.
History, Folklore and Myth: Long established in perfumery. The rose scented heartwood was often used in France to make cabinets, knife and brush handles.
Properties and Uses: antidepressant, antiseptic, bactericide, cephalic, deodorant, insecticide, stimulant
Precautions and Contraindications: non-toxic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing
References: Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Virginia, Queensland, Australia: The Perfect Potion. 1995.
Tisserand, Robert, and Tony Balacs. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. 1995.
Sellar, Wanda. The Directory of Essential Oils. London: Random House. 2005