Rose
ROSE
Rosa spp.; Rosa canina; Wild Rose, Domesticated Rose
Common Name
Family
Actions
Antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, astringent, nutritive, euphoriant, cardiotonic, relaxing nervine
Energetics
Cooling, drying
Edible Uses
There are over 150 varieties of roses, all of which are edible. They have a floral aroma as well as taste, yet are mild. Their texture is delicate and tender so roses are often cooked at the end of a recipe, or not at all. Roses contain antioxidants and are high in vitamins C and A. The white parts of the flower are generally removed because their flavor is more bitter.
Native To
Ancient Persia; Temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere
Geographic Distribution
Parts of Australia, Africa, and South American, as well as subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere
Botanical Description & Identification
Rose is a shrub-like perennial. It is deciduous and its stems climb and are thorny to the touch to protect from predators. Its flowers have at least one five-petal layer and five sepals to each flower which serve as protection to its reproductive organs until they're mature. The flowers come variety of colors and their hips, often referred to as the fruit of the rose helps us identify the species as these vary in color, shape, and size. Inside each rose hip lies a cup-shaped vessel which is considered the true fruit of the plant. This vessel is called an achenes and contains seeds, just like a fruit. Rose leaves are oddly numbered.
Key Constituents
Volatile oils, tannins, phenolic compounds (flowers). Carotenoids, vitamins C, E, K, B (B1, B2, B3), A, minerals (such as potassium, calcium, magnesium), phenolic compounds, tannins, and polysaccharides (fruits (rose hips)).
Sustainability Issues
Conventional roses are sprayed heavily with pesticides. Herbalists must choose only organically grown roses.
Harvesting Guidelines
Roses are at their most fragrant in the morning and must only be harvested at this hour when dry. Harvest should occur shortly after blooming, not when widely open. Some suggest harvesting roses in the fall when nearly ripened, just after their color has changed, but not fully colored. They can be harvested in the summer but one must be careful not to remove the new growth shoots (surculi) which provides for the following years blooms. The seeds, which are considered toxic, must be removed.
Uses
**BENEFITS OF ROSE:
Rose is known to:
*Increase libido
*Protect the liver
*Balance the skin
*Prevent aging skin (lock in moisture)
*Reduce inflammation
*Sustain youthful skin
*Relieve depression
*Relieve anxiety
*Improve hormonal systems
*Replace synthetic perfume
*Protect against UV rays
Rose is useful in the following more common disorders and diseases:
Diarrhea, sore throat, convalescence, dysentery, yeast infections, arthritis, anemia, bedwetting, anxiety, tuberculosis, blood-clotting, angina, low sperm count, bruising
Most common uses:
Today most herbalists use rose for the skin as it is known to bring back a more youthful appearance. It should more commonly be used aromatically or topically for sensitive children as it is very gentle and heart opening.
Fun Facts:
Rose is:
* The symbol of love and beauty and associated with characteristics of soothing
vulnerability, anger, grief, broken-heartedness, and lack of self-love (Herbal
Academy, Herbal Recipes & Monographs).
* Known to have been used by Native Americans for eye problems, specifically
using the bark of rose.
* (Wild or dog rose) known to have been considered the 'go-to' herb for rabies in
Rome during the Middle Ages.
* The personification of passion, yet rose herb seems to reduce heat in
body. A perfect example of the Unity of Opposites in Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM).
* Known to be one of the oldest recognized flowers
* The United States National Flower, designated by President Ronal Reagan.
* A flower which blooms only once a year in the wild and depend on insects for
pollination.
* An ancient plant. The oldest known rose plant growing today is over 1,000 yeas
old and grows on a wall on the Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany.
* Known to be much more potent in its wild form, like most other herbs.
References
Apelian, N., & Davis, C. (2019). The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies: The Healing Power of Plant Medicine.
Hoffman, D. (1987). The Herbal Handbook: A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism.
Lahhari, A. (2021). Native American Herbalist's Bible.
Recipes and Monographs Compiled From The Intermediate Herbal Course. Copyright: The Herbal Academy.
The Herbal Academy Herbarium and Materia Medica. Copyright: The Herbal Academy.
McIntyre, A. (2019). The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Definitive Guide to the Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine.
Wood, M. (2008). The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants
Safety