February Plant Spotlight: Rose
For February’s Plant Spotlight, I wanted to highlight a very special heart-centered plant – Rose. Rose is believed to be one of oldest flower plants, with fossil evidence dating back approximately 35 million years with garden cultivation noted to be around 5,000 years ago in China. I recently learned about the oldest living rose - the Rose of Hildesheim in Germany known as the Thousand-year Rose - and was in awe of its resilience.
Rose is said to connect to our heart and is noted that if you grow your own roses, you gain protection.
Native to Asia with species in North America, Europe and parts of Africa, Rose (Rose spp.) is a perennial aromatic woody shrub known for its beauty and hardiness.
Herbal Benefits of Rose:
Rose is considered to have versatile medicinal properties including as an astringent, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Various parts of the Rose plant are used traditionally for a wide range of supportive benefits, including:
Heart Health
Traditionally, Rose has been used as a gentle cardiac tonic to support circulation and overall heart vitality.
Mood Support
As a mild nervine, Rose may support mood emotional balance and the nervous system. It is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help regulate Qi (energy) stagnation and emotional flow.
Skin & Topical Applications
Rosewater, rose hips and rose oil are widely used in skincare and cosmetic formulations. Their natural astringent and antioxidant properties may support skin health and are often included in formulations designed for acne-prone or mature skin.
Rose has also been traditionally used to support digestive comfort and women’s reproductive wellness.
Plant Parts and Their Potential Applications:
Essentially most aerial parts of Rose have active plant compounds that are used in various ways.
Petal : Rose petals contain aromatic terpenes (which contribute to their scent, flavor and color), flavonoids (known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity), tannins (antioxidant activity) and vitamin C.
Rose Hips: Several compounds include vitamin C, vitamin E, fatty acids and pectin. These provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action which are widely used in skincare and cosmetics. Its astringent action and vitamin C content have also traditionally made rose hips a popular herbal ally during cold and flu season.
Leaves: Rose leaves contain flavonoids, vitamin C, fatty acids and minerals, which may lend to gentle diuretic and astringent properties in traditional preparations.
With such as long and revered history, Rose has been considered botanical royalty. During the launch of Casa + Jardin, I found myself returning to Rose again and again. She became both my teacher and companion in my herbalism journey – reminding me of her strength, protection and resilience.
Con amor,
Christina
References:
The Art and Practice of Spiritual Herbalism by Karen M. Rose
Beneficial Medicinal Effects and Material Applications of Rose
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
