Herbal Wisdom

The first rose bloomed, when Aphrodite, while assisting Adonis, stuck her foot on a thorn, or so says the ancient Greek legend.

Love, sex, beauty, faithfulness, …just some of the many virtues attributed to the rose.

The rose is believed to have originated in Persia and in 1612, the princess, Nour-Djihan, was said to have invented the first essence of rose.

Inspired, while trailing her hand in a rose filled canal, on her wedding day, by the fragrance of the oils that were lingering on her hand.

The early Christians used the rose as a symbol of the Virgin Mary. The first rosaries were strung from beads made of ground rose petals. Due to the rose's earlier association with Bacchus, Venus and other classical deities, after Europe's conversion to Christianity, the lily was chosen to replace the rose.

Rose beads are still a popular craft today. Legend has it that wearing rose beads will attract love to you.

Rose Beads

• 1/2 lb. fresh fragrant rose petals
• 1/4 lb. fine salt
• 1/2 oz allspice
• 1/2 oz cloves
• In a mortar, pound the ingredients together into a paste. Form into balls. Make a hole with a toothpick. If your petals are less than fresh, you may find boiling them in a little water first may help them to form balls more easily.
• The balls will shrink and dry in a few days. They will continue to harden as they age. After they become very hard, you may polish them with vegetable oil.

In aromatherapy, roses are said to balance, give a sense of security and spiritual attunement. They speak to the heart chakra, keeping your heart open and connected to all things. The smell of roses remind us of love and to be patient. Roses soothe the nerves. They reduce anger, ease sorrow and disappointment. So it's not a bad idea to buy a loved one a bouquet of roses after an argument!

My daughter looks forward to the roses blooming every summer because we make rose 'perfume' (well, technically it's not perfume, but don't tell her that!) First I sterilize a jar, and then she fills it with rose petals. I pour in purified water, screw on the lid, and we set it in the sun, sun tea style. After several hours her alcohol free 'perfume' is done! She keeps it for a week or three. When it begins to go bad, toss it into your compost pile!

The rose has a very long history of use in folk remedies. It's most well known use is in the area of skin care. Roses are wonderful as a skin cleanser, tonic and astringent. They shrink the underlying capillaries, reducing the appearance of redness. They make great bath oils and lotions. Rose water is available from the pharmacy, gourmet food and health food stores. Rose products can be used by all skin types, but are especially helpful for dry, inflamed, sensitive and aging skin.

In Ayurvedic medicine, the petals are used in poultices to treat skin wounds and inflammation.

Because of its soothing properties, rose petal tea is used to help relieve stress, anxiety, depression, menopause and bereavement. To soothe sore throats (and mouths), make a syrup of rose hips, or sip rose hip or petal tea. Drink rose hip tea for colds, flu, headaches, bladder and kidney infections. The leaves of the rose are a mild laxative and are useful as an astringent poultice.

When using rose petals for culinary use, be sure to avoid greenhouse roses, as they have most likely been sprayed with pesticides. Be sure to trim off the white part at the base of each petal, as it will taste bitter. The tastiest roses are usually the most fragrant. Try R. rugosa, R. damascena, R x alba and R. eglanteria. (The darker varieties tend to have a stronger taste than the lighter ones.)

Rose hips are the part that remains after the petals fall off. They have a high vitamin C content but also contain vitamins A, D, E, K and the B vitamins, riboflavin and folate. Rose hips taste something like cranberries. They are delicious in tea, syrups, jams and quick breads.

Rose Honey

• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup rose petals (use more if you prefer a stronger fragrance)

Heat until runny. Put lid on and let sit for two hours. Strain.

Rose Hip Tea

• Chop entire rose hips.
• Cover with distilled or purified water and boil for 30 or more (to taste) minutes.
• Strain.
• Sweeten with honey if desired.

Perhaps the most commonly used ingredient in love magic, the rose, can help not only bring a new love into your life, it can help renew interest in a partner. It is also an aphrodisiac and most importantly, can help you develop the feeling of being worthy of love.

A Simple Love Charm Choose a night under a waxing moon (between new and full) or a full moon. Lay out the following;

• Red rose petals
• A small sprig of rosemary
• A pinch of cinnamon
• A small square of red or pink cloth
• A piece of white or red thread
• White or red candle

Light the candle. Ask for love to enter your life. Do not ask for a specific person as this would go against their free will (and they may not be who is best for you). Place the petals, rosemary and cinnamon in the center of the square. Gather the square up and tie it. Wear the charm close to your heart. If that is not possible, keep it in close proximity to you.

Your bouquet of roses beginning to wilt? Leave a trail of rose petals up to your bed, and see what happens. …and what better way to end the day than with a warm scented bath by candlelight. Toss in some rose petals or a couple of drops of rose oil. This bath will help provide love, peace and harmony within yourself.

Disclaimer: Please consult with a qualified health care professional before using any herbs for medical use. I am not a health care professional. Be sure that any products you use contain genuine natural rose oil. Don't be fooled by labels claiming to contain 'rose essence'. They could be synthetic. Synthetic rose ingredients have no therapeutic value.

By Victoria Betson