We can all appreciate the beautiful appearance and pleasant smell of roses. Less recognized by most of us today are the healing properties benefits of rose tea and rose oil. Roses work on spirit, mind, and body and can be used in many ways.
The oldest evidence of roses trace back to fossils found in our home of Colorado, and date back around 35 million years.
Historically, wild roses appeared only in the Earth’s northern hemisphere.
Around 2700 BC, roses found their use in Chinese daily life. Much like today, at that time, roses were used primarily as ornamental plants, cultivated in personal gardens (see medieval gardens). These Chinese roses, which bloomed several times a year, subsequently influenced breeding throughout Europe in the following centuries.
Perhaps on their way to Europe, roses became an important part of life (and, death) in Egypt as far back as 1200 BC, during the reign of Ramses II. Egyptians buried their dead with roses, after first washing the corpse with rosewater. From Egypt, the rose entered daily living in Greece, and later appeared within the Roman Empire.
Roses as a symbol of purity
The rose traveled throughout the civilized world, by way of a variety of trade routes, and eventually became widely adopted in western Europe. In the Middle Ages, the rose commonly appeared in Christian religious services; the white rose represented the purity of the Virgin Mary.
The rose as a medicinal plant
Perhaps because of its beauty, the benefits of rose tea and rose oil have become ubiquitous in monastic medicine. Like so many other traditional herbal remedies, roses have found their way into modern kitchens and medicine cabinets.
When used as a remedy, rose petals collected during the months of June to August serve their highest form. Among other things, rose petals contain essential oils (rose oil), tannins, Geraniol, saponins and flavonoids.
Essential rose oil
Ideally, harvest rose petals in early morning, before the flower opens to the sunlight. For healing purposes, consider all varieties of roses you might find in your flower garden, particularly those with a pleasant fragrance. Of course, the best plants are those untreated by fertilizers and pesticides.
Dried roses are used for rose tea
Hildegard von Bingen: “At daybreak or morning, take a rose leaf and place it over your eye; this draws out the humor and makes it clear.”
Rose tea for anxiety and depressive moods
Herbal rose tea
Rose tea works on anxiety and depression. Take 1-2 teaspoons of dried rose leaves combined with a cup of warm water to steep. For the best results, and to get the most out of the essential oils, do not use boiling water (or, water at too high a temperature). Allow 5 minutes to steep, before drinking. We recommend adding a high-quality honey, for a soothing effect on tense nerves.
Combination pansy-Rose tea for acne and skin problems
For acne, combine 1 teaspoon of dried pansy and rose blossoms with hot, but not boiling water. Allow 5-10 minutes to steep and strain for 2-3 cups of drinking tea.
Rosewater can be used for compresses
Rosewater compresses can help for eye discomfort, conjunctiva irritation. For an effective compress, use cotton pads soaked in rose water. Place the pads on your closed eyelids for 15 minutes. This is a wonderful solution for rapid regeneration of pressed and reddened eyes.
Marigold-Rose tea for “Blood Cleansing”
To help cleanse and purify your blood, use a combination of marigold and rose tea. Combine 1 full teaspoon of marigolds and rose blossoms with 1 cup of hot water, allow 10 minutes to steep and then strain. Drink 2-3 cups of this tea daily, and don’t hesitate to sweeten with honey.
Rose and marigold tea
This tea is complemented by two flowers, each that have a blood-purifying effect. The marigold stimulates lymphatic flow and thus the excretion of slag substances. Marigolds also have anti-inflammatory and cramp relieving effects, thus complementing the properties of the Rose.
Intestinal discomfort, bloating a compress of rose petals and aniseed
Aniseed combined with rose pedals for intestinal discomfort
Pour 3 tbsp of crushed aniseed with a quart of boiling water and allow the mixture to steep for a few minutes. Then add 3 teaspoons of rose petals and allow the combination to steep for another 5 minutes. First strain, then soak the combination in a linen cloth, placed on the abdomen. Place a dry towel over the soaked linen cloth, and allow the compress act on the abdomen for about 15 minutes. Combining this compress with warmth applied to the feet helps promote relaxation iun the intestines.
Rose compress
Rose oil for general skin conditions
Use rose oil combined with honey to address mild varieties of skin conditions like eczema, blisters, dandruff, oozing or blotchy red spots and itching. Mix 1 drop of rose oil and 2 teaspoons of natural raw honey with a wooden stick and apply it to your face, once clean. Allow mask to sit for 30 minutes, and rinse off with lukewarm water. Once clean, dab your face with cool rose water and allow the skin to air dry.
Sage and rose oil for hand sweat
Rose and sage for hand sweat
A combination of sage and rose oil helps resolve hand perspiration. Combine hot water with 2 teaspoons of sage leaves and rose petals and allow 15 minutes to steep. Once drained, allow the combination hand bath to cool to body temperature. Use the mixture as a hand bath to soak hands for 10 minutes.
Rose tea for throat Hoarseness
To treat hoarseness with rose tea, consider using a combination of violet along with rose tea. As a mild expectorant the violet has many medicinal uses, including for skin care, and can be used for bronchitis, hoarseness, chronic coughing and mucus.
Together this combination of roses and violets contains effective substances such as saponins, essential oils, alkaloids and salicylic acid, as well as bitter substances and glycosides. With its cramp-releasing effect, the rose complements this tea very well.