This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Rosa centifolia work for skin conditions?
Rosa centifolia exerts its effects primarily through its volatile oils and tannins. The active compounds, specifically geraniol, citronellol, and nerol, possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritated skin. Additionally, the tannin content provides mild astringent effects, which can tone and tighten skin tissues. These mechanisms support its traditional use in treating minor skin inflammation and irritation (Evidence Level: C/Traditional).
Does Rosa centifolia interact with any medications?
Currently, there are no well-documented drug interactions associated with Rosa centifolia. Because it contains tannins, there is a theoretical possibility that it could interfere with the absorption of certain minerals or alkaloid drugs if taken orally at the same time. However, significant clinical interactions have not been reported. As always, consult a healthcare provider before adding herbal supplements to an existing regimen (Evidence Level: C).
What is the recommended dosage for Rosa centifolia?
For internal use as a mild laxative, the standard adult dosage is 2 to 4 grams of dried petals prepared as a tea infusion. For topical applications, such as treating skin conditions, the essential oil or extract should be properly diluted in a carrier oil or cream before application to prevent skin sensitization. Dosage recommendations are based on traditional use and established herbal pharmacopoeias (Evidence Level: Traditional).
Is Rosa centifolia safe to use during pregnancy?
Rosa centifolia is generally considered unsafe during pregnancy. While often used in cosmetics, internal use is contraindicated due to its potential laxative effects, which can stimulate uterine contractions. The essential oil components, such as geraniol and citronellol, may also pose risks to fetal development if ingested in concentrated amounts. Pregnant individuals should avoid consuming this herb and consult a qualified medical professional before using it topically (Evidence Level: C).
What are the benefits of Rosa centifolia for the skin?
Rosa centifolia is widely used in folk medicine and cosmetics for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. The petals contain flavonoids and volatile oils that help reduce redness and calm inflammation associated with minor skin conditions. Its astringent qualities, derived from tannins, make it useful for toning the skin. While widely used in perfumery, its therapeutic application for skin health is supported by traditional use rather than high-quality clinical trials (Evidence Level: C).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Rosa centifolia is a rose species used in traditional medicine and industry, demonstrating various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects [PMID:33478154, PMID:39603992].
Background
Rosa centifolia L. (family Rosaceae) is an oil-bearing rose cultivated in regions including Bulgaria, Turkey, India, and the Middle East, used as a raw material for essential oils, hydrolates, and extracts [PMID:33478154, PMID:38794227].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used in Morocco, China, India, Europe, and Asia to treat digestive, respiratory, and cardiovascular ailments [PMID:39603992], as well as for renal disorders [PMID:34801355], joint pain, and rheumatoid arthritis [PMID:27313424].
Active compounds
Phytochemicals include flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, astragalin, isoquercitrin), terpenoids, glycosides, tannins (including ellagitannins such as rugosin B, D, and eusupinin A), phenolic compounds, pro-anthocyanidines, alkaloids, saponins, lignans, steroids, and ellagic acid [PMID:33478154, PMID:34801355, PMID:35315086, PMID:39603992, PMID:40601596, PMID:21538210].
Mechanism of action
The plant extract may induce endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation via nitric oxide synthase and adenylate cyclase pathways [PMID:35315086]. Ellagitannins inhibit diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) to suppress triacylglycerol synthesis [PMID:21538210]. It also demonstrates the ability to inhibit melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity [PMID:40601596].
Clinical evidence
Evidence BScalp seborrheic dermatitis
A new-formula shampoo containing R. centifolia petal extract and epigallocatechin gallate was evaluated against ketoconazole and zinc-pyrithione [PMID:25473226]
Evidence CAnalgesia, relaxation, and psychological health
Clinical trials on rose oil (including R. centifolia) reported analgesic, physiological relaxation, anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, and improvement in sexual dysfunction effects [PMID:28748167]
Evidence DRheumatoid arthritis/Joint pain
Alcoholic and aqueous extracts significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema and CFA-induced arthritis in rat models [PMID:27313424, PMID:26222375]
Evidence DDoxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity
Ethanolic extract of petals was investigated for its ameliorative role in rat models [PMID:34801355]
Evidence DHemostasis
Aqueous extract significantly inhibited platelet aggregation and exhibited anticoagulant and antioxidant properties [PMID:40658371]
Safety & adverse effects
Hydrosols (6, 14, 20%) showed low genotoxicity in barley and human lymphocyte systems [PMID:38794227]. However, flower ethanolic extract and quercetin exhibited cytotoxic and genotoxic effects at high concentrations (e.g., 363 µg/mL for extract) [PMID:41502713]. Acute and sub-acute (28-day) oral toxicity studies in rats were conducted for alcoholic and aqueous extracts [PMID:27313424, PMID:26222375].
Evidence summary
Evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with some limited clinical review data (Level C) and one randomized controlled trial for a topical shampoo (Level B).
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 33478154 (2021) — Rose Flowers-A Delicate Perfume or a Natural Healer? · Biomolecules
2.PMID: 38794227 (2024) — Genotoxic and Anti-Genotoxic Potential of Hydrosols from Water-Steam Distillation of Oil-Bearing Roses Rosa centifolia L. and Rosa gallica L. from Bulgaria. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 34801355 (2021) — Effect of ethanolic extract of Rosa centifolia against doxorubicin induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
4.PMID: 27313424 (2015) — In vivo antiarthritic activity of Rosa centifolia L. flower extract. · Ayu
5.PMID: 39603992 (2025) — The Medicinal Potential of Rosa centifolia L.: Integrating Botany, Geographical Distribution, Pharmacology, Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemistry, and Toxicology.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 35604399 (2022) — Anti-Aging Potential of a Rosa centifolia Stem Extract with Focus on Phytochemical Composition by Bioguided Fractionation. · Chemistry & biodiversity
7.PMID: 32143607 (2020) — In vitro anti-HIV activity of some Indian medicinal plant extracts. · BMC complementary medicine and therapies
8.PMID: 35315086 (2022) — Rosa centifolia petal extract induces endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation in rat aorta and prevents accumulation of inflammatory factors in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. · Journal of food biochemistry
9.PMID: 28748167 (2017) — Therapeutic efficacy of rose oil: A comprehensive review of clinical evidence. · Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
10.PMID: 28455040 (2015) — Hydrosols of orange blossom (Citrus aurantium), and rose flower (Rosa damascena and Rosa centifolia) support the growth of a heterogeneous spoilage microbiota. · Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)
11.PMID: 24938705 (2014) — Identification and authentication of Rosa species through development of species-specific SCAR marker(s). · Genetics and molecular research : GMR
12.PMID: 40601596 (2025) — Melanin Regulation and Autophagy Modulation by Rosa centifolia L. Extract and Its Key Compounds (Astragalin and Ellagic Acid). · Chemistry & biodiversity
13.PMID: 21538210 (2011) — Identification of diacylglycerol acyltransferase inhibitors from Rosa centifolia petals. · Lipids
14.PMID: 22427036 (2012) — Development of a species-specific sequence-characterized amplified region marker for roses. · Genetics and molecular research : GMR
15.PMID: 37745990 (2023) — Crossability of miniature rose and quantitative and qualitative traits in hybrids. · Frontiers in plant science
16.PMID: 17363153 (2007) — Efficacy of modified distillation sludge of rose (Rosa centifolia) petals for lead(II) and zinc(II) removal from aqueous solutions. · Journal of hazardous materials
17.PMID: 39598517 (2024) — Antimycobacterial Activity of Essential Oils from Bulgarian Rosa Species Against Phylogenomically Different Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains. · Pharmaceutics
18.PMID: 26222375 (2017) — Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of aqueous extract of Rosa centifolia in experimental rat models. · International journal of rheumatic diseases
19.PMID: 23627876 (2013) — Identification of antimutagenic properties of anthocyanins and other polyphenols from rose (Rosa centifolia) petals and tea. · Journal of food science
20.PMID: 40658371 (2025) — Rosa Centifolia L. effect on hemostasis: a multifaceted study combining in-vitro, in-vivo, and in-silico investigations of molecular mechanisms. · Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis
21.PMID: 34443579 (2021) — Subcritical Extracts from Major Species of Oil-Bearing Roses-A Comparative Chemical Profiling. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
22.PMID: 36985829 (2023) — Antifungal Action of Herbal Plants' Glycolic Extracts against Candida Species. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
23.PMID: 28959318 (2016) — Effect of Antioxidants, Amino Acids and Plant Growth Regulators on in vitro Propagation of Rosa centifolia. · Iranian journal of biotechnology
24.PMID: 21350666 (2011) — Immobilization of Rose Waste Biomass for Uptake of Pb(II) from Aqueous Solutions. · Biotechnology research international
25.PMID: 27618523 (2016) — Fate and control of pathogenic and spoilage micro-organisms in orange blossom (Citrus aurantium) and rose flower (Rosa centifolia) hydrosols. · Journal of applied microbiology
26.PMID: 29753826 (2018) — Heavy metal accumulation imparts structural differences in fragrant Rosa species irrigated with marginal quality water. · Ecotoxicology and environmental safety
27.PMID: 25473226 (2014) — Clinical Evaluation of a New-Formula Shampoo for Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis Containing Extract of Rosa centifolia Petals and Epigallocatechin Gallate: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study. · Annals of dermatology
28.PMID: 41502713 (2025) — Evaluation of Safety and Antigenotoxic Activity of Rosa centifolia Extract, Kaempferol, and Kaempferol-3-glucoside against Ultraviolet B Radiation in Human Fibroblasts. · ACS omega
29.PMID: 38254571 (2024) — Physicochemical Characterization of Pectic Polysaccharides from Rose Essential Oil Industry By-Products. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)