Rose

Rosa spp

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Roseaceae, or the rose family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Rose is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species are native to Asia, while others are native to North America, Europe, and northwest Africa. Roses are hybridized regularly, so individual species are now hard to identify from their parent forms. Wild and cultivated roses are found here in the PNW. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Buds, flowers, fruit ^[1]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Astringent
• Aphrodisiac
• Demulcent
• Nervine tonic
• Nervine antidepressant
• Nervine analgesic
• Cardiotonic
• Neuroprotective
• Reproductive tonic ^[1]
5. Body System Indications:
• Cardiovascular - Enhance integrity of the vascular system varicose veins. Enhance healing of bruising (including heartbreak - good for SAB)
• Respiratory - URI, soothes sore throat
• GI - Mucilage reduces GI inflammation ^[1]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Phenolics, vitamin C, flavonoids ^[1]
7. Energetics:
• Cooling (astringent), moistening (demulcent), stabilizing (sweet), and uplifting (sweet, pungent, and bitter).  Also, warming to digestive fire (bitter, pungent).  This plant is very neutral in qualities, reflected by the multiple tastes. ^{[1, 2]}
8. Safety & Interactions:
• Safety class 1. Contraindicated for those with allergies (rare). ^[1]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The dried rose buds are pink with purple tips, and the leaves are grey-green. When dried, there’s not much of a smell, just of bitter plant matter with some floral undertones.
2. Preparation Method:
• Tincture: (1:5, 40%) 5-30 drops 3x/day or as needed.
• Infusion: 1 tsp rose buds or petals per 8 oz of water steeped 5-10 minutes (covered). 1-3x/day or as needed. ^[2]
3. Usage Notes:
• I made a tea using the dried rose buds. I love the floral scent that comes off this tea – it’s beautiful and clarifying. The taste is strong and very perfume-y but I enjoy it. There is a strong drying effect in my mouth due to the astringent effect. I have a rose hydrosol I also use frequently on my skin that is soothing for redness and heat.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2019). Week 5 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-19_MW5125-A Botanicals 5: Holistic Gynecologic Health
2. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.