kimmie
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Tuesday 6th November...plant of the weekThe Rose!
There is a saying that roses are good for "the skin and soul", and they have a long tradition of medicinal use. In Roman times, the wild rose ' R.Canina'. was recomended for the bites of rabid dogs. Roses continued as an official medicine well into the 1930's, when tincture of apothecary's rose, 'R.gallica', was pescribed for sore throats. Today roses are still highly prized: the oil is extremely expensive, and one of the most important oils in aromatherapy. In Ayurvedic medicine, roses are considered cooling and a tonic of the mind.
The damask rose blooms only for a couple of weeks. The petals are collected and steamed-distilled to produce true Bulgarian rose oil, used in around 96% of all women's perfumes. Medicinally, it is an important nervine, used for depression and anxiety, and is thought to help those who lack love in their lives. It can also be added to skin remedies or taken for digestive problems.
Rose Hips are a valued as an important source of vitamin C, hips are still used in commercial teas, syrups and and fruit drinks, the leaves were once used as a substitute for tea.
Rosebuds can be pickled, petals (with the bitter white or yellow heel removed) can be added to salads, chrystalized for cakes, added to exotic chicken and rice dishes, sherberts and punches. Rosehips made into syrups, conserve, and tea also used to make wine.
As well as medicinal and aromatherapy uses, roses can be used in food and decorations as well as pot pourri.
Cleopatra used the rose as an aphrodisiac and is said to of seduced Antony knee-deep in roses. Harem wives to be washed in rose water and the Romans sprinkled rose petals on the marriage bed, the confetti we use today was based on the rose petals in the past.
I know it is used today in major companies for vitamin A creams and is also a source of natural antioxidants.
all this and much more from a pretty flower in the garden!!
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