For thousands of years, roses have been symbols of love, beauty, and spirit. They have also been used as universal healers in oil, water, and tea, as well as a flavoring and food. Once considered the “fragrance of the gods” in ancient Egypt, roses have a history that can be traced to Persia, Babylon, and China. In ancient Rome, roses were used for blessings, as garlands, to decorate war ships, and to float in wine as a tribute to Venus, the goddess of lovPerfumee .
Nowadays, roses are revered as the flower of choice for Valentine’s Day and in all matters romantic. But its uses have blossomed to more than just symbolic gestures. Rather, the rose is used to produce many therapeutic benefits. But creating products from roses — including essential oil, creams, and moisturizers — is very labor intensive. In fact, it takes 20 roses to produce only one drop of rose oil. And rose hips or haws — the fruit of the rose — only develop after the petals have fallen. This prized fruit is exclusively gathered after the first frost.
The therapeutic benefits of roses are vast when flavoring a bath or applied to the skin. In Tibet, rose hips are put in a tub to help people with arthritis. In India, rose water is considered an ideal toner for skin as well as a gentle eyewash. When applied topically, rose oil is effective for a variety of skin conditions, including acne, thread veins, varicose veins, capillary damage, scars, burns, and wrinkles.
Roses are said to be emotional uplifters, curbing stress. But a range of additional properties are also associated with the rose. They have a high nutrient content — including vitamin C, which is used to treat infections and heal wounds — as well as anti-microbial, antiaging, and circulatory benefits.
The healing properties of rose hip tea run the gamut from antidepressant and aphrodisiac to circulatory aid and infection fighter and are used by cultures around the world. Consumed either hot or iced, it is said to be a tonic for energy, a protector from disease, and a cleanser for the respiratory tract. Chinese medicine uses the rose hip for urinary disorders and kidney energy, while in Indian ayurvedic practice, roses act as a mental tonic. Rose hip tea even helps with menstrual difficulties.
The Oriental karkade tea