Aniba rosaedora / Rosewood / Lauraceae (Laurel family)

Information

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Other Names

Rosewood, Aniba rosaedora, Palo de Rosa, Pau Rosa, Bois de Rose Femelle, Pau Ferro, Cara-cara.

Scent

Rosewood has a fantastic warm and woody fragrance, while at the same time being both floral and fruity. Perfume-note: Middle.

Aromatic Properties

Rosewood oil fragrance has calming and steadying effects on the nerves. The scent is relaxing and calming, and works as an aphrodisiac. Uplifting and reviving to the senses. It is used in meditations, because it is a good oil to burn that relaxes without causing drowsiness. There are various ways to use Rosewood oil to help in natural healing.

Contents

Alpha-pinene, camphene, geranial, neral, myrcene, limonene, 1, 8-cineole, linalool, benzaldehyde, linalool oxide and a-terpineol.

Synergic Combinations

Blends well with Lavender, Orange, Lemon, Tangerine, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Palma Rosa, Geranium, Neroli, Jasmine, Pine, Rose, Ylang Ylang.

Historical

Rosewood oil has for a long time been used in the preparation of more expensive perfumes and soaps. Brazil is the main producer of the essential oil. The oil contains high amounts of linalool, which can be transformed into a number of derivatives for the flavour and fragrance industries. Nowadays the industry uses mainly synthetic forms of linalool. The wood itself has a long history of use for making furniture, boats, turnery, flooring, plywood, veneer and the making of musical instruments. Because of its density and durability, Rosewood is often used in Chinese martial arts weaponry, particularly as the shaft of spears.

Plant Description

It is an aromatic, evergreen tree that is native to Southern Brazil and to Bolivia. It is a fast growing thornless tree which blooms in spring. Leaves are briefly decidious, leathery and trivial. They are alternate, opposite and imparipinnate. They can be up to 12cm long. Individual leaflets are about 6cm long. The foliage of the Rosewood is similar to that of the Black Locust, Robinia pseudoacacia. Flowers are grouped in axillary or terminal racemes, and bloom in spring. They are yellow, with a brown part at its basis. The fruits are brown, flattened and winged, similar to that of some Maple trees, and can be more than 7cm long.
Rosewood oil is steam distilled from the wood, branches and roots of the tree.