Rose ~ Rosa gallica, canina, other spp.

Rose

Latin name: Rosa gallica, canina, other spp.

Family: Rosaceae

Part used: flowers, hips

Habitat: indigenous to Europe; cultivated throughout the world

Main constituents: oil (geraniol, nerol, citronellol, etc.), tannins, citric acid, flavonoids, fructose, malic acid, sucrose, vitamins A, B3, C, D, E, and P, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc

Energetics: sweet, bitter, cool, sour, neutral

Main herbal actions: flower: antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, aromatic, astringent, blood tonic, carminative, expectorant, kidney tonic, and sedative

Minor herbal actions: hips: astringent, blood tonic, diuretic (mild) kidney tonic, laxative, nutritive, tonic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, digestive, anti-inflammatory (topical), laxative

Main medicinal uses: anger, anxiety, catarrh, depression, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea, frequent urination, hypercholesterolemia, tonsillitis, vertigo, kidney and bladder infections, exhaustion,

Minor medicinal uses: gout, rheumatism, amenorrhea, colic, external inflammations

Preparations: infusion: 1-2 tsp hips (without seeds)/cup boiling water;  decoction: ½-1 tsp pwd achenes/1 cup water: boil until 1/2 cup of liquid remains

Contraindications: ingestion of seeds (theoretical)

Toxicity: none known

Sources: Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Encyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations; botanical-online.com/medicinalsrosacaninaangles.htm; egregore.com/herbs/brierrose.html; vitamincity.com/herbs/rose.htm

Rose Module 2 lecture

• Flowers are anti-bacterial, used as an anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, digestive aid
• Used extensively in Ayurveda and Unani
• Rose is a firly decent laxative
• Widely used all over the Middle East to Bulgaria, hence the Bulgarian Rose
• Rose water is the hydrosol left over from making Rose Essential Oil.  The hydrosol comes out of the back of the still.
• There is Rose vinegar Rose Petal Jelly and candied rose petals.