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Rose (Rosa Damascena)
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Therapeutic Benefits of Roses
Aside from
providing an aesthetic appeal, which contributes to the overall pleasure and
feeling of well being, roses have a genuine practical use in our regimens of
good health. Rose oil and rose water are derived from the flowers and rose hips
have many valuable properties.
It is suspected
that the rose was probably the very first flower from which rose oil and rose
water were distilled; possibly in the 10th Century Persia. Today, most of the
rose oils are still produced in that region of the world. A very large quantity
of rose petals is needed to produce a very small quantity of oil. Thus, it is
very costly. Thankfully only a small amount of rose oil is needed in therapeutic
preparations. It is not used in its concentrated state, but rather in a carrier
oil such as almond, jojoba, and grapeseed.
Generally rose oil and rose water (a by-product
of distillation) are used topically rather than internally; with the exception
of aromatherapy. In this case the rose essence may be inhaled, via steam or
diffusion. Three varieties of rose are used in commercial production of rose oil
and rose water: Rosa Centifolia, Rosa Damascena and Rosa Gallica. The product
will vary slightly in colour between these species but the therapeutic benefits
are the same.
The use of the
rose is far and varied. It has a long history in its use in folk remedies,
especially in the area of skincare. It is suitable for all skin types, but it is
especially valuable for dry, sensitive or aging skins. It has a tonic and
astringent effect on the capillaries just below the skin surface, which makes it
useful in diminishing the redness caused by enlarged capillaries. It is
important to ensure that the product contains the genuine natural rose oil. Many
manufacturers label their products containing rose essence but it could be
synthetic. Synthetic rose ingredients have no therapeutic value at all!
Remember, with authentic rose oil, a little goes a long way. Certainly rosewater
is a less expensive way to provide skincare. It is very soothing to irritated
skin.It is also a tonic and antiseptic. Rosewater has been shown to be very
valuable as an antiseptic in eye infections.
The rose also offers a soothing property to the
nerves and emotional /psychological state of mind. It is regarded as a mild
sedative and anti-depressant. It is increasingly used in treatments for
conditions of stress: nervous tension, peptic ulcers, heart disease, among
others. There is indication that rose essence may also positively influence
digestion, bile secretion, womb disorders and circulation. In addition, a tea
made with rose petals (pour 150 ml of boiling water over 1 /2 grams of rose
petals) often soothes a mild sore throat.
Rose hips (the flowers which have swollen to
seed) are an excellent source of vitamins A, B3, C, D and E. They also contain
bioflavonoids, citric acid, flavonoids, fructose, malic acid, tannins and zinc.
Taken in the form of tea they are good for infections, particularly bladder
infections. Rose hip tea is also used in the treatment of diarrhea. It is an
especially good source of vitamin C.
To best use rose
oil for topical purposes (i.e. skin care), use approximately 8 drops of
essential rose oil for every 10 ml of carrier oil. Apply directly onto skin.
Rosewater may be used with abandon. There is no such thing as too much of it.
For emotional wholeness and wellness, rose oil may also be used in a room
diffuser, aromatherapy ring (a brass ring placed atop a hot light bulb will work
to evaporate the essential essence throughout the room) or in steaming hot water
on the stove. Whatever works!
To brew rose hip
tea, which by the way is truly delicious, roughly chop up entire rose hips.
Cover with distilled or purified water and boil for 30 minutes (longer if
desired). Strain through a fine strainer or cheesecloth and add a bit of honey
if desired. The
essence of rose need not only be used to treat ailments. Whether inhaled and
enjoyed from a freshly cut bouquet of sumptuous blooms or splashed on as
rosewater after a shower or bath, it is simply a pleasure to be enjoyed by
all!
Rose tea or rose hip tea is known for its many medicinal properties. It is derived from the fruit of the wild rose hip plant. It is a popular herbal health tea which has a slight tart flavor but is refreshing and delicious to drink. The fruit confers many of the health benefits because it contains many essential vitamins like C, D, K and E, as well as organic acids, like citric and malic acids and pectin. The many health benefits of rose tea include building a strong immune system, strengthening the digestive system and the detoxification of the urinary tracts and kidneys.
Rose hip tea contains high levels of vitamin C which helps the body fight off colds and flu germs and viruses. The rose hip fruit contains more vitamin C levels than fresh citrus fruits, like oranges or grapefruits. A single cup of fresh rose tea is equivalent to approximately fifty to sixty citrus oranges. A study published in "Planta Medica Journal" by researcher S.J. Ziegler detected the high levels of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in rose hips. The "Journal of Phytotherapy Research" published a study showing the effects of "COX-1 and -2 Activity of Rose Hip."
Rose Tea and The Digestive System.
The presence of organic acids and the rich nutrient contents of rose hip tea can help to strengthen the digestive tract and the stomach lining to help prevent digestive problems as well as aid in eliminating toxic wastes and substances in the small and large intestines. These benefits will help the body reinforce gastrointestinal functions and prevent or reduce the symptoms of diarrhea, dysentery, constipation and gastroenteritis. The tea can also help establish and maintain the intestinal bacterial flora in the digestive tract to help aid digestion.
Kidney and Urinary Tracts.
Rose tea possesses several medicinal properties, including the ability to assist in the clearing of toxic nitrogenous wastes from the bladder and kidneys, thus reducing the potential risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Rose tea can also aid in the removal of blockages caused by small-sized kidney stones in the urinary tract according to TeaBenefits.com. Depending on the condition and the method for brewing or making the rose tea infusion or decoction, one or two cups a day should give some health benefits to the drinker.
Rose Tea and Mental Health.
Rose tea confer medicinal properties that can calm the central nervous system and help alleviate and give some relief for mental illnesses like depression, anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders. Rose tea can also help patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia and nervousness. One or two cups of rose tea should confer some health benefits to the drinker.
Health Benefits of
Rose Essential Oil
The health benefits of
Rose Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like anti depressant,
anti phlogistic, anti septic, anti spasmodic, anti viral, aphrodisiac,
astringent, bactericidal, cholagogue, cicatrisant, depurative, emenagogue,
haemostatic, hepatic, laxative, nervine, stomachic and uterine.
Rose! No doubt it is the most beautiful flower in the
world. The flower with innumerable stories, legends, myths and legacies
associated with it. With its varied colors, incomparable fragrance and shapes
and sizes, you will find one for every mood and every occasion. One who does not
know about any of its medicinal properties, can still tell you of one property
for sure, and that is that a beautiful red rose can invoke romantic feelings in
even the heart of hardest of rocks. The Essential Oil of Rose is extracted by
steam distillation of fresh Damascus Rose (Rosa Damascena, as it is known among
botanists) and is composed of hundreds of components, out of which the major
contributors are Citronellol, Citral, Carvone, Citronellyl Acetate, Eugenol,
Ethanol, Farnesol, Stearpoten, Methyl Eugenol, Nerol, Nonanol, Nonanal, Phenyl
Acetaldehyde, Phenylmenthyl Acetate and Phenyl Geraniol. Why Damascus Roses? It
is because they are the most fragrant ones and are believed to be the original
red roses with strongest aroma and highest oil content.
We know about the emotional and psychological effects
of rose. Now let us know the medicinal properties of its essential
oils.
Anti Depressant: Rose Oil boosts self esteem,
confidence, hope and mental strength and efficiently fights depression. This can
be very helpful to drive away depression from those who are suffering from
depression due to any reason. This also relieves anxiety. Being an anti
depressant, patients of acute depression or who are undergoing rehabilitation
can be given routine and regular doses of this essential oil to bring hope in
their lives. This oil is widely used in aromatherapy and invokes positive
thoughts, spiritualism and feelings of joy, happiness and hope.
Anti Phlogistic: It
may calm down a patient of high fever by sedating the inflammation caused by
fever. It can also be beneficial in other cases of inflammations caused by
microbial infection, ingestion of poisonous stuff, indigestion, dehydration etc.
Anti
Septic: This is the most fragrant and perhaps a majestic way (Just imagine
treating wounds with Oils of Rose instead of those ordinary anti septic lotions)
to treat your wounds and protect them from being septic and catching infections.
Anti
Spasmodic: It efficiently relieves spasm in respiratory system, intestines and
muscular spasms in limbs. It also helps cure convulsions, muscle pulls, cramps
and spasmodic cholera which are caused due to spasms.
Anti Viral: Getting a
protection from viruses or getting yourself vaccinated against all of them is a
tough task, since some of them change their disguise every time they return and
make a fool of our immune system, like our old friend who gives you cold and
influenza. So what to do? Better use an anti viral which behaves as a shield
against any virus that comes. Here is one such shied. The Essential Oil of Rose
that protects against viral infections.
Aphrodisiac: Better I
don’t try explaining this property of Rose Oil! Right from Cupid himself to
modern day’s high tech lovers, every body knows how roses are indispensable in
romance. And so is this Essential Oil of Rose. The very scent of it can arouse
you. It boosts up libido and invokes romantic feelings which are essentials for
a successful sex.
Astringent: The astringent property of Rose Oil has
many benefits. It strengthens gums, hair roots, tones and lifts skin, contracts
muscles, intestines and blood vessels, thereby giving protection from untimely
fall of tooth and hair, wrinkles, loss of firmness of intestines and muscles of
abdominal area and limbs associated with age, and above all, helps stop flow of
blood from wounds and cuts by contracting the blood vessels. This astringent
property can also cure certain types of diarrhea.
Bactericidal: It is a
good bactericide. It can be used in treatment of typhoid, diarrhea, cholera,
food poisoning and other diseases which are caused by bacteria. Further, it can
cure internal bacterial infections like in colon, stomach, intestines and
urinary tract as well as external infections on skin, ears, eyes and in wounds.
Cholagogue:
It promotes flow of bile from the gall bladder and helps regulate the acid level
in the stomach as well as in the blood, thus keeping you safe from problems like
acidity and acidosis. This bile also helps in digestion of food, together with
the acids secreted into the stomach.
Cicatrisant: This property of Rose Essential Oil can
be of great interest for those who care a lot about their looks. It makes the
scars and after marks of boils, acne and pox etc. on the skin to fade away. This
includes fading of stretch marks and surgery marks, fat cracks etc. associated
with pregnancy and delivery.
Depurative: It purifies blood by helping removal and
neutralization of toxins from blood. Once your blood is purified and free of
toxins, you are protected from nuisances like boils, rashes, ulcers, skin
diseases etc.
Emenagogue: This is yet another beneficial property of
Rose Oil. It stimulates the hormone secretions which trigger off menstruations.
It is particularly effective on those who are suffering from obstructed and
irregular menses. It also eases cramps, treats nausea, fatigue and reduces pains
associated with the menstruations and Pose Menopause Syndromes.
Haemostatic: This
property of the Essential Oil of Rose can be very useful for people who are
suffering from hemorrhage (bleeding, external or internal) after an injury or
surgery. This speeds up clotting or coagulation of blood and stops bleeding and
can save life of such patients.
Hepatic: It simply means it is good for liver’s
health. It keeps it strong, functioning properly and protected from infections.
It also treats problems like excess flow of bile and acids, ulcers etc.
Laxative:
There cannot be a laxative with a better scent than this and I can bet it, if
not for its laxative properties. It can serve as a harmless and effective
laxative with a beautiful smell and without any adverse side effect. It actually
influences the intestinal and anal muscles to help clear bowels.
Nervine: It acts as a
tonic for the nerves. It gives them strength to bear shocks and protects them
from disorders resulting from age, injuries etc. It won’t let your hands tremble
or let you go nervous when saying those three magic words to your dream girl for
the first time, of course, with a rose in your hand.
Stomachic: Rose Oil is
a stomachic too. It soothes stomach, sedates inflammations in it, helps it
function properly and protects it from infections. It also protects it from
ulcers which often happen due to over production of acids and their release into
the stomach.
Uterine: This can take care of many feminine problems
such as uterine discharges, tumors, bleeding, irregular menses etc. It purifies
the uterus too and keeps it functioning properly even in higher ages and can
push away the time of menopause.
Other Benefits: It regulates hormone production and
helps balance them. It is one of the best oils which can give you a shining,
fresh and youthful skin. Its aroma keeps you charged and feeling happy. It
promotes circulation, takes care of heart, reduces blood pressure and helps cure
headaches, asthma, dehydration and effect of loo (very hot winds), leucorrhea
and certain infections.
Few Words of Caution: It can take away your headache
if used in mild concentrations, but its strong aroma can just play the opposite
if very high concentration is used. Being an Emenagogue, it should not be used
during pregnancy.
Blending: This
Essential Oil blends well with Geranium, Jasmine, Clove and Palma Rosa essential
oils
Disclaimer: The information presented
herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not
been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or
prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements,
it is always advisable to consult with your own health care
provider.
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