Rose
Rose is a cooling, soothing, astringent herb supporting the nervous system, mucous membranes, reproductive tissues, skin, and cardiovascular health. Petals, essential oil, hydrosol, and hips each offer distinct benefits—ranging from emotional calming and menstrual regulation to gastrointestinal healing, anti-inflammatory support, and connective tissue restoration.
Derived from the Latin rosa, ultimately from Greek rhodon, referencing the plant’s fragrance and long cultural history in medicine, ritual, and perfumery.
Rose petals soothe the digestive tract and reduce heartburn, hyperacidity, ulcers, enteritis, and diarrhea from dysentery, giardia, or candida (with additional antimicrobial herbs when infection is present). They calm inflamed eyes in cases of blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and watery eyes; ease sore throats and mouth sores through gargling; reduce vaginal irritation, excess secretions, and mild infections via vaginal washes; and soothe colon inflammation, hemorrhoids, or postpartum tissues through enemas and sitz baths. Topically, rose petals ease itching, weeping skin conditions, acne, eczema, psoriasis, poison oak, rosacea, diaper rash, and varicose veins.Rose regulates heavy menstrual, mid-cycle, postpartum, and menopausal bleeding, clears excess heat (pitta) from reproductive tissues, and supports PMS patterns with irritability or emotional sensitivity. Emotionally, rose uplifts, calms, and eases anxiety or nervous depression.Rose essential oil settles the nervous system, helps with nervous exhaustion, heartbreak, premenstrual or menopausal anxiety, and can support libido in cases of stress-related impotence or frigidity. It soothes and regenerates skin, while the hydrosol benefits moist, inflamed skin and reduces eye irritation and hot flashes.Rose hips counter stress-related adrenal depletion, strengthen connective tissue, reduce inflammation, relieve osteoarthritis pain, and enhance skin elasticity, moisture, and wound healing. Long-term use supports vascular integrity, treating rosacea, varicose veins, allergies, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetic vascular complications. Decoctions are demulcent and soothe mucous membranes during sore throat, cold, or flu.
Rose has a long global history in medicine, perfumery, ritual, and emotional healing. Rosewater, oils, and petals were used in Middle Eastern, Persian, Greek, Ayurvedic, and European herbal traditions to cool inflammation, lift the spirit, and support reproductive health. Rose hips became especially valued as a vitamin C–rich tonic during times of scarcity.
Deciduous shrubs with thorned stems, pinnate leaves, and fragrant flowers ranging in color from white to deep red. Flowers consist of five petals in wild species and multiple petals in cultivated varieties. After flowering, roses produce an oval to round red-orange hip rich in seeds and vitamins.
Generally safe.Essential oil may be too stimulating or emotionally releasing for some sensitive individuals.Petal preparations are mild, but strong astringency may aggravate very dry constitutions if overused.Use caution internally with severe infections, as additional antimicrobial herbs are required.
Tea (petals): 4–12 oz, up to 3–4× dailyDecoction (hips): 8–12 oz, up to 3× dailyTincture (petals or hips): 30–90 drops, up to 3× dailyHydrosol: Spray as needed internally or externallyTopical: Wash, compress, sitz bath, or poultice as needed
Christina Sinadinos, David Hoffman, Bryan Bowen, all relevant CHSHS lectures.