​​Herbal Monograph: Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa spp.
Common Names: Rose, Wild Rose, Damask Rose, Cabbage Rose, Apothecary’s Rose

Family: Rosacea

 

Plant Description
Roses are perennial shrubs with thorny stems, pinnately compound leaves, and fragrant flowers ranging from white to deep red. The fruit (hip) is a red-orange hypanthium, rich in seeds. Over 100 species exist, with R. gallica, R. damascena, and R. canina being medicinally prominent.

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Parts Used

• Petals: Fresh or dried for teas, oils, and culinary uses.

• Hips: Harvested after first frost, dried for teas, syrups, and jams.

• Essential Oil & Hydrosol: Distilled from petals for aromatherapy and skincare.

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Active Constituents

• Petals: Volatile oils (geraniol, citronellol), tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids.

• Hips: Vitamin C, carotenoids (lycopene), flavonoids, pectin, organic acids.

 

Energetics:

Taste: sour, sweet

Energy: Cooling, moistening (petals); neutral to warming (hips), astringent, slightly bitter, aromatic . Balances Pitta (Ayurveda), regulates Liver Qi (TCM), soothes inflammation and heat.​

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Traditional and Modern Uses

Medicinal Actions

Petals: Astringent, anti-inflammatory, nervine, mild antidepressant, antimicrobial.

Hips: Nutritive, immunomodulatory, diuretic, antioxidant.

Indications

Petals: Emotional stress, anxiety, grief, Mild digestive upset, sore throat, Skin inflammation, wounds, dry eczema.

Hips: Immune support (cold/flu prevention), Urinary tract health, joint inflammation.

1. Skin Care: Rose petals and rose water are prized for their cooling, anti-inflammatory, and soothing effects on the skin. Often used in creams, lotions, and tonics for sensitive or mature skin.

2. Respiratory Support: Rosehips and petals have been traditionally used for respiratory health, especially as soothing remedies for sore throats and colds.

3. Digestive Health: Mildly astringent, rose can support digestive health by easing diarrhea and promoting gut healing.

4. Heart and Emotional Wellness: Roses are considered a gentle nervine, supporting emotional well-being, calming anxiety, and promoting relaxation.

5. Immunity Booster: Due to their high vitamin C content, rosehips are often used to enhance immune function.

 

Preparation & Dosage:

Infusion (Petals): 1–2 tsp dried petals steeped in 8 oz hot water, 10–15 min. Drink 3x daily.

Tincture (1:5 in 40% alcohol): 2–4 mL, 3x daily.

Hip Decoction: Simmer 1 tbsp crushed hips in 8 oz water for 15 min. Drink 2x daily.

Hydrosol: Apply topically as toner or mist for emotional support.​

 

Expanded Herbal Medicine & Recipes

• Emotional & Nervous System Support

  1. Rose Heart Tea

     • 1 part rose petals

     • 1 part chamomile

     • ½ part lemon balm

     • ½ part lavender

     • Steep 1 tbsp blend in 8 oz hot water. Drink 2x daily for calming effects.

  2. Rose Elixir

     • 1 cup fresh rose petals

     • 1 cup raw honey

     • Layer petals and honey in a jar. Infuse 2–4 weeks. Take 1 tsp daily.

• Skin & Topical Applications

  1. Rosewater Toner

     • 2 cups rose petals

     • 2 cups distilled water

     • Simmer petals in water for 20 min. Strain; store in a spray bottle. Use as a facial toner.

  2. Rose-Infused Oil

     • Fill jar with petals, cover with jojoba oil.

     • Infuse 4 weeks in sunlight. Strain; use for massage or dry skin.

• Immune & Respiratory Health

  1. Rose Hip Syrup

     • 1 cup dried hips

     • 4 cups water

     • 1 cup honey

     • Simmer hips in water for 30 min. Strain, add honey. Take 1 tsp daily.

  2. Rosehip Oxymel

     • 1 part apple cider vinegar

     • 1 part honey

     • ½ part dried hips

     • Infuse hips in vinegar for 2 weeks. Strain, mix with honey. Use in salad dressings or as a tonic.

• Culinary Uses

  1. Rose Petal Jam

     • 2 cups petals, 1 cup sugar, 1 lemon (juice).

     • Layer petals with sugar, rest overnight. Simmer with lemon juice until thickened.

  2. Rose Milk Latte

     • 1 tsp rose powder (dried petals)

     • 1 cup warm milk (dairy/plant-based)

     • Honey to taste

     • Whisk and enjoy before bed.

 

Safety and Precautions:

• The seeds (not used in medicine) contain a glucoside and are toxic, producing torpor, vertigo and headaches.

• Generally safe. Possible allergic reactions (petals/hips)

• Seeds’ hairs may irritate digestion.

• Pregnancy: No known risks, but consult a practitioner.

 

Contraindications:

Hips: Avoid excess if prone to kidney stones

 

Sustainability and Ethical Considerations:

Harvest petals/hips sustainably

Avoid wild populations. Choose organic sources to minimize pesticide exposure.

 

Conclusions:

Rose bridges the poetic and practical, offering medicine for heartache, skin vitality, and immune resilience. Its synergy with cacao deepens its role as a nurturer of emotional and physical well-being. Cultivate reverence in its use, honoring its ecological and cultural legacy.

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References:

• Hoffmann, D. Medical Herbalism. Healing Arts Press, 2003.

• Gladstar, R. Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health. Storey Publishing, 2008.

• Holmes, P. The Energetics of Western Herbs. Snow Lotus Press, 2006.

• TCM Wiki. “Rosa Rugosa: Traditional Chinese Medicine Uses.” Accessed 2023.

• American Botanical Council. “Rose Hips: Phytochemistry and Clinical Applications.” HerbalGram, 2017.

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