Botanical Name
- Rosa spp. (commonly includes Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia, Rosa gallica)
Common Names
- Rose
- Dog Rose
- Damask Rose
- Apothecary's Rose
Flavor
- Sour
Herbal Energetics
- Cooling, Moistening
Herbal Actions
- Nervine: Calms and soothes the nervous system, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional tension.
- Astringent: Tightens and tones tissues, making it useful for conditions like diarrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, and skin irritation.
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation, particularly in the skin, digestive system, and reproductive organs.
- Antidepressant: Lifts the spirits and alleviates mild depression and grief.
- Antimicrobial: Exhibits antimicrobial properties, making it effective against certain bacteria and fungi.
- Emmenagogue: Stimulates and regulates menstrual flow, useful for irregular or painful periods.
- Heart Tonic: Supports heart health by calming the nervous system and promoting emotional balance.
Organ Affinities
- Nervous System: Rose is deeply soothing to the nervous system, helping to calm anxiety, relieve stress, and support emotional well-being.
- Heart: Supports the emotional and physical aspects of heart health, helping to alleviate grief, heartache, and mild depression.
- Skin: Beneficial for the skin, rose helps to reduce inflammation, soothe irritation, and promote healing in conditions like acne, eczema, and wounds.
- Reproductive System: Regulates menstrual flow, reduces menstrual pain, and soothes inflammation in the reproductive organs.
Uses
- Emotional Support: Rose is used to calm the mind, uplift the spirit, and provide emotional comfort, particularly during times of grief, heartache, or mild depression.
- Skin Care: Applied topically, rose is beneficial for soothing inflamed or irritated skin, promoting healing in wounds, and balancing oily or acne-prone skin.
- Heart Health: Supports heart health on both a physical and emotional level, helping to alleviate stress-related heart conditions and promote overall cardiovascular wellness.
- Menstrual Health: Used to regulate the menstrual cycle, relieve menstrual cramps, and support reproductive health, particularly in cases of PMS or painful periods.
- Digestive Health: Rose is used to soothe the digestive tract, reduce inflammation, and alleviate symptoms like diarrhea and indigestion.
Preparation and Dosage
- Tisane: Steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried rose petals in 1 cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes. Drink 1-3 times daily for emotional support, digestive health, or menstrual regulation.
- Tincture: Take 2-4 ml of a 1:5 tincture in 25% alcohol, 2-3 times daily to support emotional well-being, heart health, or menstrual balance.
- Syrup: Rose syrup, made by infusing rose petals in a simple syrup, can be taken by the teaspoon to soothe the throat, uplift the spirit, and support heart health.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy: While rose is generally considered safe, its emmenagogue properties may stimulate menstruation, so it should be used with caution during pregnancy.
- Allergies: Individuals with allergies to roses or related plants should avoid using rose preparations.
- Essential Oil Use: Rose essential oil is potent and should be used sparingly, always diluted in a carrier oil, and avoided near the eyes or mucous membranes.
Materia magica
- Love and Attraction: Rose is widely used in love spells and rituals to attract love, enhance romance, and deepen relationships.
- Protection: Rose petals and thorns are used in protective rituals to ward off negativity, protect the home, and maintain emotional boundaries.
- Healing and Comfort: Rose is used in rituals for emotional healing, especially in cases of grief, heartbreak, or emotional trauma.
- Divination and Clairvoyance: Rose is believed to enhance intuition, psychic abilities, and connection to the spiritual realm, making it a common ingredient in divination rituals.
- Planet: Venus - Rose is associated with Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and harmony, aligning with its role in promoting emotional well-being, love, and relationship healing.
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus and Libra - Aligns with Taurus and Libra, signs ruled by Venus, emphasizing themes of love, beauty, and balance, reflecting rose’s ability to promote emotional harmony and heart-centered healing.