Rosewood

What Is Rosewood?

Rosewood is a large aromatic tree found in the Amazon rainforest. The heartwood of this giant is a rich source of essential oils with a similar aroma to rose, hence its name.

Despite the usefulness of this essential oil, both for fragrances and topical applications for skin conditions, this herb is not generally recommended. The endangered nature of this tree and unsustainable sourcing are decimating wild stands and carving large areas of the Amazon out of the way in order for harvesters to gain access. Only purchase rosewood from a reputable source that values sustainable farming practices to avoid forcing this tree into extinction.

What Is Rosewood Used For?

The essential oil of rosewood is used for providing its characteristic scent to cosmetic products and in aromatherapy, as well as for treating acne, colds and flus, headaches, skin conditions, fevers, infections, and wounds.

Botanical Information

Rosewood is an endangered species found growing throughout the Amazon. It’s a member of the Lauraceae family of plants which is characterized by their aromatic, evergreen nature. There are about 2850 different species and 45 genera worldwide, mainly found in the tropics.

Phytochemistry

Rosewood is an essential-oil herb, and its medicinal and aromatic character comes almost entirely from a single monoterpene alcohol: linalool. The steam-distilled heartwood oil is overwhelmingly linalool, typically reported in the range of about 80–93% (and occasionally higher), which is why rosewood has long been a commercial source of this rose-scented compound ^{1,2Reference 1Maia et al. · 2009Database of the Amazon aromatic plants and their essential oilsReference 2Fidelis et al. · 2012Chemical characterization of rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) leaf essential oil by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometryView study →}.

The remaining few percent of the oil is a mixture of related monoterpenoids that round out the fragrance. The most consistent minor components are α-terpineol (~0.5–5%), geraniol (~1%), 1,8-cineole (~0.2–2%), and small amounts of the cis- and trans-linalool oxides. Composition varies markedly with geographic origin and plantation management, so individual oils can fall well outside these typical figures ^{1,2Reference 1Maia et al. · 2009Database of the Amazon aromatic plants and their essential oilsReference 2Fidelis et al. · 2012Chemical characterization of rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) leaf essential oil by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometryView study →}.

Constituent Summary

Figures are share of the steam-distilled heartwood essential oil; composition varies substantially with provenance, tree age, and distillation method. Browse a class to see related compounds, or any compound for its full profile.

References

1. Maia, J. G. S., & Andrade, E. H. A. (2009). Database of the Amazon aromatic plants and their essential oils. Química Nova, 32(3), 595–622. (Rosewood/Aniba rosaeodora oil: linalool the dominant constituent, ~78–93%+.)
2. Fidelis, C. H. V., Augusto, F., Sampaio, P. T. B., Krainovic, P. M., & Barata, L. E. S. (2012). Chemical characterization of rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) leaf essential oil by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 24(3), 245–251. doi:10.1080/10412905.2012.676770 (Linalool ~84.8% with α-terpineol ~2.9%, geraniol ~1.0%.)

Clinical Applications

Rosewood is mainly used as a topical application for skin conditions in the form of a salve or lotion. It can be used for psoriasis, eczema, inflammation, urticaria, dermatitis, and dry skin.

Cautions & Safety

Rosewood essential oil can cause contact dermatitis in some individuals.