If you're like me, you may have gone a bit overboard planting rose bushes. Every spring, my rosa rugosas and carpet roses explode with blooms, and every year, I dutifully gather them to encourage even more flowers. But what’s an herbalist to do with such an abundance of petals? Make rose attar, of course!
What is an Attar?
An attar is a highly fragrant extract of volatile oils from fresh flower petals—sometimes scented leaves are used as well. The more fragrant the flower, the richer the scent of the attar. When making attar, always use freshly picked petals at their peak fragrance.
Best Time to Harvest:
I recommend gathering rose petals in the mid-morning, once the dew has evaporated but before the heat of the day. This ensures you get the most aromatic oils from your blossoms.
There are two primary methods for making attar, depending on how you plan to use it:
Salt Layering Method (For Rose Water & Culinary Use)
This method naturally extracts the aromatic essence of roses, perfect for making rose water or adding floral notes to recipes.
Ingredients & Materials:
Fresh rose petals (and optionally, scented leaves)
Non-iodized salt
A ceramic crock or dark-colored mason jar
Cheesecloth for straining
Instructions:
Prepare the Petals: Separate the petals from the flowers. Place them between two layers of paper or cotton towels and press gently to remove any moisture.
Layer the Ingredients: In a ceramic crock or dark mason jar, add a layer of petals. Sprinkle one tablespoon of non-iodized salt over the petals. Repeat the layering process until the jar is full.
Store & Extract: Cover tightly and store in a cool, dark cabinet for three months, allowing the salt to extract the oils.
Strain: After three months, strain the mixture through several layers of cheesecloth. Store the extracted attar in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
How to Make Rose Water:
Add up to 5 drops of rose attar to one cup of distilled water for a beautifully scented, fresh rose water—perfect for facial toners, spritzes, and even desserts!
Infused Oil Method (For Skincare & Aromatherapy)
This method infuses carrier oils with rose’s delicate fragrance, creating a luxurious oil for skincare, massage, or natural perfumery.
Ingredients & Materials:
Fresh rose petals
Carrier oil (sandalwood, jojoba, sweet almond, sunflower, or grapeseed oil)
A wide-mouth, dark-colored mason jar
Knife or chopstick for stirring
Cheesecloth or pipette for extraction
Note: While olive oil can be used, it has a strong scent that may overpower the roses.
Instructions:
Prepare the Petals: Separate fresh petals and ensure they are completely dry by pressing them gently between paper or cotton towels.
Fill the Jar: Heavily pack the petals into a wide-mouth, dark-colored mason jar. The more petals, the richer the aroma.
Add the Oil: Pour the carrier oil over the petals, stirring gently with a knife or chopstick to remove air bubbles.
Infuse: Close the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark cabinet for two weeks.
Mash the Petals: After two weeks, open the jar and gently mash the petals with a large spoon to release more fragrance.
Continue Infusing: Seal the jar and return it to the cabinet. Every other day for two more weeks, mash the petals again.
Strain & Store:
Use a plastic pipette to transfer the oil to a smaller bottle, or
Strain through several layers of cheesecloth to remove plant material.
The final attar oil will be deep pink or red, depending on the rose variety used. Store in a cool, dark place to preserve its scent.
How to Use Rose Attar
As a natural perfume – Dab onto pulse points for a light floral fragrance.
In skincare – Mix a few drops into a moisturizer or body oil for glowing skin.
For aromatherapy – Add to diffusers or massage blends for a calming effect.
To make rose-scented bath salts – Combine with Epsom salt for a luxurious soak.
Making your own rose attar is a beautiful way to preserve the essence of your garden. Whether you’re crafting rose water for culinary delights or infused oil for skincare, this process turns abundant blooms into something special.