common names: rose, multiflora rosa,
plant family: Rosaceae
botanical description: (multiflora rosa)Thorny, multi-stemmed, perennial shrub, 5-10ft tall, growing in thicket, sometimes climbing. Leaves are pinnate with five to eleven elliptical, sharply toothed leaflets, each about 1” long. Flowers are white to pink, in showy clusters that are very fragrant. Their small hips persist through the winter, which distinguishes them from other varieties of rose.
habitat/growing & harvesting: cultivated roses are often sprayed with harmful pesticides. Avoid these, and harvest wild growing roses all season long, in bud stage or early bloom stage when they are most fragrant. If looking for hips, harvest them in the late fall-the winter. You may want to wear good gloves to avoid the thorns!
ethnobotany/folklore/history: rose has always been associated with love, passion, & sensuality, it’s beauty and elegance being referenced in countless works of art and poetry. It helps us learn to work with both vulnerability & boundaries, as is symbolized by the open, soft rose in contrast to it’s spiky thorns.
parts used: petals, hips (this monograph is specific to the flowers/petals)
energetics: cold in the first degree, drying in the second (Matt W.), dispersive
taste: aromatic, astringent, bitter
actions: nervine, astringent, aphrodisiac, antibacterial, emmenagogue, cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary
tissue states: laxity, atony,
chemical constituents: Volatile oils (e.g., citronellol, geraniol, eugenol, myrcene), tannins, phenolic compounds (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol, flavonoids), beta-sitosterol, polysaccharides, organic acids (e.g., malic acid, tartaric acid), saponins, resin (USDA)
indications: I personally first think of rose as a nervine, a sweet medicine for grief, a broken heart, or lack of self-love. The smell of rose is so relaxing and cleansing. But what I personally feel about rose aside, it is a plant of many talents:
It’s astringency & cooling nature makes it a soothing remedy for hot, irritated, or inflamed conditions. Topically in an oil, salve, bath, or compress for things like rashes, acne, eczema, sunburn & itchy eyes, and internally as a tea or tincture for irritated bowels, fever, mucous, & sore throat.
It’s aromatic and dispersive qualities lend itself to both the cardiac and reproductive systems. Rose can help strengthen blood vessels, soothe a racing heart, and relieve congestion of the blood, high blood pressure, and headache. It can help clear congestion in the pelvic area, stimulate the menses, improve mood and relieve pain associated with menstruation.
doshas: alleviates excess pitta & can be beneficial to all 3 doshas.
contraindications: because of it’s drying nature, it may exacerbate constipation & dryness long-term.
preparations: tea, tincture, vinegar infusion, rose water, aromatherapy