Rose flower – Medicinal value

Rose flower – Medicinal value

Several species of rose were used for therapeutic purposes. Roses are chosen by many gardeners for their showy, fragrant blooms, however, this versatile plant has uses that extend far beyond its ornamental properties. Roses are chosen by many gardeners for their showy, fragrant blooms, however, this versatile plant has uses that extend far beyond its ornamental properties.  

Cultivated throughout the ages for both its fruit and flowers, it has a wide variety of uses from perfumes and cosmetics to preserves, confectionary and is extensively used in herbal medicine. Damask rose, Rosa Canina and Rosa Gallica are cultivated to extract rose essence, which is an important ingredient in the cosmetic industry. It contains beta-damascenone, which gives the characteristic odour. Currently, almost all female perfumes contain rose essence. Rose water - another bi-product of rose distillation is rose water which is a diluted version of the rose essence and had a pleasant scent.  It is used in the cosmetic industry to help prevent winkles. 

However, it is so easy to create, it can be made at home.  Store in the fridge and use as a flavouring agent in confectionery or for sorbets, mousses and jellies. A rose is a woody, thorny plant of the rosaceae family. There are more than one hundred species of roses, with large showy flowers in many different colors. Roses are considered native to Asia, but are also grown in Europe, northern Africa, and North America. Rose petals are used in making rose oil that is steam distilled by crushing. The byproduct of steam distillation is rose water, which is an excellent relaxing agent, soothes the nerves and adds flavor to a variety of dishes across the world. Rose essence is rich in flavanoids, tannins, antioxidants, and vitamins A, B3, C, D and E, making it beneficial in skin care. Some of the uses of rose oil, water, and essence are as follows. 

Rose water is an effective astringent that reduces swelling of capillaries beneath the skin. Rose petal tea is efficient in cleansing the gall bladder and liver, and it helps improve bile secretion. Rose petals are dried and crushed to make tea. Rose tea also helps in alleviating mild sore throats and bronchial infections. The tea cools the body and reduces fever-related rashes. Rose petals are an important ingredient in eye washes as well, as it is antiseptic in nature. Rose water benefits include nourishing the scalp and improving hair growth. It is medicinally used as an antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory product. It is also used to treat dry scaly skin, dermatitis, and eczema. 

Rose essential oil is used along with carrier oils such as almond or grape fruit to treat various illnesses like hemorrhage, liver problems, nausea, fatigue, ulcers, asthma, dehydration, and bacterial infections of the stomach, colon, and urinary tract. Rose leaves are used in preparing rose water from the Persian variety. Rose water prepared from rose leaves brings relief from constipation, clears blood, and soothes the mind. In addition, it is used on the treatment of measles and chicken pox.