User:Jaeger5432/Attar of Roses

Attar of Roses is an essential oil obtained from the petals of the Damask rose. It has a very intense odor, often more pleasant when diluted.

Chemically, it is a mixture of several hundred different compounds. The major components are (-)-citronellol, certain specific paraffines, geraniol and nerol, phenethyl alcohol, and eugenol methyl ether.

Uses
It is often used in perfumes and aromatherapy. It is frequently mixed with neutral alcohols or other oils (a carrier), both to reduce the risk of allergic reaction and to extend the use of a small quantity of essential oil.

Production
The oil is extracted from the fresh petals by steam distillation. The product (distillate) is collected; the essential oil naturally separates as the top layer. It takes approximately 4000 kg of Bulgarian rose petals to produce 1 kg of pure rose oil.

Rosewater, the remaining aqueous layer, is an important product in its own right. It is often used as a flavoring agent in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. It is also commonly used in cosmetics.

Origin
It has been commercially produced in India, Persia (now Iran), Syria, Turkey and Bulgaria (particularly the Rose Valley). The chemical composition and odor profile of rose oil from different sources may differ substantially.