Mistress of the Night or Queen of the Night – this is how this deeply aromatic and sensual plant with the botanical name Polianthes tuberosa was known . In this article, we will tell you a little more about the uses and benefits of tuberose absolute in aromatherapy and natural cosmetics.

A brief history and how tuberose absolute is extracted

Polianthes tuberosa is a beautiful, white, strongly fragrant plant and is one of the most ornamental bulbous flowering plants in India and other countries. It blooms only at night, hence its bizarre name ( Raat Ki Rani , Raat Rani , Raatrani in Hindi) and is pollinated by night butterflies. The plant gets its name from the tube-like roots it has. Despite its rose-like name, this flower has little in common with the rose, except for its pleasant fragrance and beautiful appearance. Tuberose is more closely related to the daffodil genus. It is native to Central America and Mexico, but is also found in Hawaii and is widely grown in China, Egypt, France and Morocco.

In aromatherapy, tuberose is commonly found as an absolute. The difference between essential oils and absolutes in simple terms is that essential oils are usually extracted through steam distillation. However, the flowers of some plants are too fragile to undergo the steam distillation process, so their floral aroma is extracted through the solvent extraction method. Such plants include jasmine , rose, mimosa, osmanthus, frangipani, forest pansy , etc.

Solvent extraction is used in cases where the plant material (the flowers of the plant) gives a very low yield of essential oil and the end result is an oil of degraded quality. The high temperature in the steam distillation method destroys the aromatic molecules. In aromatherapy, this solvent is usually ethyl alcohol. The solvent should be odorless, not form toxic substances and not modify the aroma of the plant.

You can read more interesting facts about absolutes in our article In the World of Absolutes – Floral Magic.

Absolutes are most often used in the production of sensual perfumes and eau de toilette. Tuberose absolute is obtained by solvent extraction and is an orange to dark brown paste. It combines beautifully with other floral absolutes and essential oils, and blends well with essential oils from the woody and citrus families, as well as with spices, resins and earthy essential oils.

How can we use tuberose absolute at home?

Let's make our own perfume

Due to its strong, concentrated aroma, tuberose is mainly used in perfumery compositions. It is a common ingredient in very high-end floral perfumes. The deep and floral aroma of tuberose adds a very feminine middle note.

To add a slightly sweet and spicy, floral middle note, we recommend combining with carnation essential oil ( Dianthus caryophyllus ) or jasmine absolute ( Jasminum grandiflorum ). As mentioned above, tuberose absolute pairs beautifully with floral scents; try mixing with the earthier iris ( Iris pallida ) or the sweet ylang-ylang ( Cananga odorata var. genuina ). It also pairs very well with bergamot, cardamom, clove, grapefruit , jasmine , lavender , lemon , neroli, rose, sandalwood , vanilla , and wood violet essential oils.

The easiest way to mix the oils is in a roll-on bottle, adding a base oil of your choice – fractionated coconut, jojoba, argan – one that is universal and does not have a nutty smell. You need no more than 10–12 drops of essential oils in this mixture. When adding absolute, keep in mind that it is very highly concentrated and you need no more than 1 drop for the perfume. All of the listed essential and base oils can be found in the MaKaSa online store or in our physical store in Burgas, 22 Aleko Bogoridi Blvd. Our colleagues will give you more valuable advice on how to apply absolutes and essential oils at home.

If you want to read more about blending essential oils, we suggest you take a look at our article Blending Essential Oils – Theory and Practice.

Passive diffusion at home

As we have said many times, absolutes are not recommended for use in an ultrasonic diffuser, as they contain compounds that can damage the device. Moreover, they are usually diluted with alcohol in percentage terms to make them more affordable. But you can use them by the passive diffusion method – drop a drop on an aroma stone or cotton swab and enjoy the deep floral aroma. You can make your own aroma blend and enjoy the sensual combination.

You can read more interesting facts about passive diffusion and what it is in our article Passive diffusion, what is it?

Soothing massage

A massage with an aroma blend that includes tuberose absolute can be very soothing for our entire body. Tuberose has antispasmodic properties, works well for muscle tension. Tuberose also has a mild calming effect that helps relax tense thoughts and consciousness. It would be extremely pleasant for calming down during severe stress or helping with insomnia. Make a massage blend by dissolving tuberose absolute and another oil from the woody or citrus family (of your choice) in a suitable base oil for massage - almond , argan, avocado, etc.

Benefits of applying tuberose absolute

Tuberose absolute is an excellent aphrodisiac with calming, antispasmodic and antidepressant properties. It increases a person's emotional strength and is mentioned in Ayurveda for its excellent health benefits.

A strong aphrodisiac

The intense, strong and intoxicating floral aroma creates a great atmosphere. Helps relieve loss of libido. Stimulates the brain centers responsible for sexual feelings, arousal and libido. Relaxes the mind from stress and tension. Increases blood circulation due to its warming effect. Tuberose absolute creates a unique romantic mood, especially when combined with ylang-ylang.

Relieves depression and stress

Tuberose Absolute is a powerful antidepressant that acts as a calming agent and brings relief from stressful situations. A hypnotic and calming oil that can help with anxiety, nervousness and physical tension. Provides great relief from tension, severe stress, depression, anxiety, anger and strong emotions.

Warming effect and increased circulation

Tuberose absolute promotes blood circulation in the body through its warming effect. Increasing blood circulation is beneficial for our body. Healthy blood circulation helps eliminate toxins from the body and organs, and also supplies oxygen to our entire body.

Research and studies on tuberose absolute

Tuberose is not as well known and is not often used in home aromatherapy. This is partly due to its rarity, higher price, and frequent adulteration in the commercial market. Tuberose is also among the less studied oils. However, some interesting studies have been conducted on the volatile oils of Polianthes tuberosa.

Antibacterial activity

Floral extracts were tested to determine their activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The flowers tested, in addition to tuberose, were evening primrose ( Primula rosea ), lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ), and palmarosa ( Cymbopogon martini ).

The researchers started with 10% concentrations and worked up to 100%. The 2009 study concluded that the volatile oil of each plant has inhibitory effects on bacteria. The higher the concentration, the more inhibition is observed. [1]

Reducing anxiety

In traditional Iranian medicine, anxiety is caused by heart and brain diseases. They believe that the best medicine for this is aromatherapy, or the use of aromatic substances.

In a 2016 study, researchers conducted an experiment involving 54 seventh-grade students, divided into two groups. All students filled out questionnaires, and the groups were completely randomized. One group inhaled tuberose essential oil on a tissue for 15–20 minutes while taking a test. The researchers then had both groups fill out the test questionnaires again. They found that the students who inhaled the tuberose oil had a significant reduction in anxiety. [2]

More interesting facts about tuberose

You may encounter various colloquial names for tuberose wherever it grows in the world. For example, its Hindi name is Rajnigandha , which means “night fragrance.” Legend has it that young Indian girls should not inhale its sensual scent after nightfall, as it will send them into a romantic trance. The Bengali name for tuberose is Rojoni-Gondha , which means “night fragrance,” and in China, tuberose is known as Wan Xiang Yu , which translates to “night fragrance.”

Ancient Aztec healers called tuberose Omixochitl ("bone plant") because of its waxy white-gray color. They used it in traditional medicine, taking great advantage of its antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. It was used as an aphrodisiac and sedative.

Conclusion

Safety recommendations: It is not recommended to use absolute alone or in large quantities, as overdose can cause side effects, especially in sensitive people, such as headaches. If this happens, discontinue use and go out into the fresh air. For topical use, we recommend testing for allergies in the crease of the elbow beforehand, as it may cause a reaction in more sensitive skin. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is wise to avoid using tuberose absolute.

Tuberose Absolute – Uses and Benefits of the Sensual Oil

A brief history and how tuberose absolute is extracted