THE HERB
This wonderful plant has been valued for beauty, fragrance, and medicinal applications for thousands of years. No other flower is more loved. Fossil records of roses date back millions of years. Roses show up in historical documentation in arts and literature in many cultures, including the Bible. Roses are used in all three forms beyond the garden - as an herb, an essential oil, and a flower essence. The parts used herbally are the rose petals and the rose hips.
Roses are reported to have sedative, antiseptic, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, laxative, cholesterol lowering, and heart supportive properties. Culinary use of rose petals include fresh in salads, candied confections, and as a flavoring for oils or vinegars. Rose petals are a lovely addition to teas, imparting a soft yet floral taste and bouquet. Who among us has not rejoiced to see a rose bush blooming, to smell that delicious fragrance, and simply adore the beauty.
Rosehips are actually the fruit of the rose. It has a sweet tart taste, and is a rich source of vitamin C. Rosehips have a very long history of use, even in traditional medicine. Their iron makes them an excellent nourishment for menstruating women. The flavonoids have potent antioxidant actions, helping to protect the body from stress, aging, and environmental pollutants. Rosehips are often used to make flavored syrups. Precautions are nil for both rose petals and for rosehips.
ROSE ESSENTIAL OILS
It takes thousands of roses to end up with even a dram of rose essential oil. It is no wonder that the price of pure rose oil reflects the arduous task to obtain it. Rose oil is used in aromatherapy to help us get in touch with feelings of faith and love. It is often used to ameliorate distress from female hormone imbalances, and for regulating the rhythm of the heart. The scent of rose brings comfort when we feel sorrow, with it’s cooling and soothing nature. The fragrance of the rose has power to bridge physical and spiritual love. Rose oil is especially prized in perfumery. Beware of artificial rose oils. They may smell pleasing, but the healing action and magic of the natural plant is absent.
ROSE FLOWER ESSENCE
The flower essence of the rose can be species specific. There are essences from white, red, yellow, and pink roses that have direct energetic impact on the mind and the body. White rose essence is very protective. Red rose uplifts our emotions. Yellow rose helps us find our desire to serve. Pink rose helps with weight loss. The most powerful rose essences come from antique roses. The old garden roses have been found on estates, in cemeteries, in waste places, churchyards, and the like. Old roses (also referred to as Antique Roses) have gained attention, and are well worth the effort to continue growing. Most are very fragrant, and look rather naturalized as they grow. The ones that have been saved from extinction and identified have direct genetic links to roses that lived thousands of years ago. Dr. Judy Griffin has pioneered the field in flower essence work with the identification of over 20 species essences. Rose essences help us find direction from within to empower intimacy with ourselves and with others.
Dandelion is reputed as an enemy of the well kept lawn by some. But, to others, the humble dandelion is an age old remedy and much esteemed plant. It has a very long history as both a food and a medicine, including Native American traditions. It attracts bees and butterflies when in flower, which makes it a good companion for fruit tree pollination. Children delight to blow the little puff ball heads that contain the seeds. That is how dandelion reseeds. Birds, animals, people, and the wind all help propagate this plant.