I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where ox lips and the nodding violet grow
Quite covered with lush woodbine,
With sweet musk roses and eglantine.
William Shakespeare
Much poetry and literature has been written around the deceptively beautiful and fragrant Rose of love and beauty and much more. No flower has ever been compared more than the rose in its many forms, from bud to flower to thorn.
With Valentine’s Day approaching, I see roses everywhere!
Did you know that Rose is an amazing medicinal herb?
Most often the rose petals, buds and hips are used, but the leaves, stems and roots can also be used.
So let’s start with rose petals and buds.
When we think about herbal medicine, it’s great to also think about the energies of the plant we’re using so we can tailor these to people and their circumstances.
Rose petals are sweet, cooling and drying, so ideal for hot and humid conditions, such as a sore throat with a lot of mucus.
Rose has a long history of helping with heart disease. Not just physical heart conditions, but also emotional and spiritual heart problems.
She is one of the heart herbs used when a broken heart needs to be mended.
She is a great alternative to Bach’s ‘Rescue Remedy’ formula and can be combined with various herbs to take a more personal approach to the situation.
Because rose can have a cooling effect, it is best combined with a warming spice such as cinnamon if the person who needs it tends to cool down.
Physically, Rose helps with high blood pressure and poor circulation, especially if they are accompanied by headaches, palpitations, hot flashes and a red face.
Rose has also been used for various conditions throughout history. Native Americans love Rose for wounds, diarrhea, mouth sores, worms and eye problems.
Rose helps to relax the nervous system and is excellent for exhaustion.
Because Rose is cooling, it is ideal for treating any inflammation and heat problem. Urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome, yeast and vaginal infections, constipation, sluggish digestion and liver inflammation can all benefit from Rose’s cooling touch.
In addition, this herb helps relieve tension from the kidneys and liver and supports liver problems, including acute or chronic hepatitis, especially if there is inflammation.
Rose makes a soothing syrup or herbal honey to soothe a sore throat.
Rose petals can be dried and powdered to sprinkle on wounds or made into a paste to treat wounds and ulcers. Steeped in water like tea, Rose is a great eye wash for eye ulcers. Petals infused with oil can be used as an oil after bathing. A spoonful of tinted or honeyed rose petals is a great addition to any infusion or even a glass of water for a refreshing and delicious drink. Rose syrup can also be combined with sparkling water to make Rose Soda.
The hips are packed with vitamin C and are good for strengthening the immune system. They are often added to winter formulas to help fight viruses.
Rose hips can be tinted, dried, powdered, treated with honey or added to an elixir to obtain their healing powers. You can also make jelly from it or make a tart, lemony tea. The hips contain hair on the inside and must be tensioned during use, otherwise the hair can irritate the throat.
Don’t forget that the stems, leaves and roots can also be used medicinally. They can all be dried and used in infusions or tinted. Herbalists who use Rose sometimes combine the aerial parts when making herbal preparations.
Do you want to learn to make rose flower water with your children? Check out my Monday Making series. This week’s episode is about making herbal/flower water!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2XioWbtmIY
Do you want to listen to “Radiant Rose”? This story is from the Rose ebook of Herbal Roots zine and can be found here on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhTM05IBuK4&t=27s
Want to learn MORE about Roos? Check out my eBook about this beautiful plant!
https://herbalrootszine.com/product/rose-issue-20/
Rose is a great “beginner herb” that kids can learn about and is part of my year-long “New to Herbs” course for kids.
For more information about my courses and to register, visit:
https://herbalrootszine.com/all-courses/