"Raises the spirits and gives sudden strength and cheerfulness" - J. Quincy, 18th century herbalist
A brief materia medica on historic uses of Rose petals
Cool l Dry l Sweet I Sour I Tridoshic
Astringent l Nervine l Vulnerary l Anti-Inflammatory l Antimicrobial I Exhilarant/Aphrodisiac
Tea I Tincture I Oil I Vinegar I Honey
Traditionally used for matters of the heart and beauty, Rose promotes moving through grief with an open heart and thorny protection and supports new cell growth making it a choice for maturing or damaged skin while offering cooling, toning properties.
Heart: HBP, circulation, palpitations
Mouth: ulcers, cankers, lax gums, sore throat
Digestion: inflammation, diarrhea, leaky gut, ulcerations, heartburn
Skin: acne, blemishes, eczema, psoriasis, burns, sunburns, weepy wounds, sores, cuts, bug bites
Mind/Spirit: broken heart, depression, anxiety, grief, sadness, trauma, quick to rise irritability, anger, frustration, agitation
Sexuality: libido, frigidity
Reproductive: cramps, heavy bleeding, uterine congestion, hot flashes, EO for sperm motility
Roses have been hybridized for beauty without prioritizing scent. This plant is heavily sprayed. Work with unsprayed wild breeds such as Rose Rugosa.
For educational purposes only. Not intended for medical advice. Always consult your physician.
"I will soothe you and heal you, I will bring you roses. I too have been covered with thorns." Rumi
Fables and Folklore of Rose
Rose is part of the Rosaceae family and a relative to Red Raspberry, Lady's Mantle, Meadowsweet, Hawthorn, Agrimony, Blackberry, Strawberry and Apple
Native to Asia and cultivated in Europe, Rose is thought to be 35 million years old
Known as the Queen of Flowers, the creation of Rose was attributed to Flora, the goddess of Spring and Flowers, by asking the gods to transform a beloved nymph into a flower after its death giving it life, nectar, perfume, fruit and a crown petals.
The thorns are said to grow in the stems on places Cupid's arrows missed their mark when he was shooting at bees who stung him.
Sacred to Isis, Aphrodite and Venus, Rose symbolizes love, marriage and sexuality
In the Victorian Language of Flowers, a Rose can simply mean love, romance, beauty and simplicity, but each color can signify a different definition. Interestingly, yellow originally meant infidelity and jealousy. It was likely changed to the current meaning of friendship by florists looking to sell the color.
Cleopatra famously used Rose as a strewing herb to seduce Mark Antony
Latin phrase "sub rosa" translates to "beneath the rose" and means anything exchanged under Rose was to be kept a secret
Plant Rose in your yard to enhance love and attract pollinators
Josephine Bonaparte is known as "godmother of modern rosomaniacs" as she aspired to collect all known roses of her time and had up to 250 varieties in her garden.
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