Rose

Botanical Name: Rosa
Family: Risaceae

The rose is a perennial flowering shrub or vine. There are over 100 different species of rose and they come in many colours. They come in different forms that range from tiny miniature roses to shrubs to climbing and trailing plants that can grow to 20 meters tall if left to grow without pruning. Though we often say that roses have thorns this is a bit of a misnomer. A thorn is a modified branch or stem but the sharp “thorns” on a rose bush is actually called a prickle. The rose has oval shaped leaves that tend to be toothed. The fruit of the plant is called a rose hip. This is the part that is edible and often made into jams, jellies and even into teas.

Most roses are native to Asia but there are some spices that are native to Europe, North America, and northwest Africa. Roses are popular and are grown through out the world for their fragrance and their beauty. The fact that the rose is so easy to hybridize has led to the numerous varieties of roses. The name rose is French but comes from the Latin “rosa” which was taken from the Greek “rhodion.”

Some of the famous Botanist/physicians/scholars including Horace and Pliny gave attention to the rose in their writings. Pliny advised about the practice of deep digging of the soil to aid in the cultivation and improves the rose’s growth amongst other helpful tips. The Greeks and the Romans seemed to have extensive knowledge of the cultivation and uses of the Red Provins Rose (Rosa gallica.) There is a story of it growing up from the ground when Adonis’s blood fell on the earth.

The Romans made use of the Rose blossoms. According to Horace they were used abundantly at banquets for decoration, to cover the floors, and even to float the petals in the Falernian wine. The Roman brides and grooms were crowned with roses as were the imagines of Venus, Bacchus and Cupid. Roses were also used in the celebration of the feasts of Flora and Hymen. The Romans also wore garlands of them at their celebrations to ward of drunkenness. They felt that the rose was the symbol of pleasure, mirth, and wine.

There is a significant amount of literature around the world that gives stories, legends and mythology about the rose all over the world. Homer speaks of the rose in the Iliad and Odyssey and they are the earliest recorded records of stories containing references to the rose. Sappho, the Greek poetess wrote that the Rose is the Queen of the Flowers. So as we can see there are many references to it.

The rose has many uses for its fragrance – everything from toilet water, perfumes, sprays, potpourris, sachets, candles - just about anything that you can think of.

Culinary Uses

Roses do not have very many culinary uses. The rose hip is used in teas, jellies, jams, marmalades and spreads. It is very high in vitamin C.


Magickal Uses and Information

Gender: Feminine

Element: Water

Deities: Venus, Aphrodite, Hulda, Eros, Cupid, Demeter, Adonis, Harpocrates, Aurora, Isis

The most common magical uses for roses are protection, love, healing, divination, luck and psychic powers. Some further uses include:

• Added to love spells and worn to attract love

• Mixed in love baths

• A tea of rosebuds before sleep will bring prophetic dreams

• Used for love divination

• Petals and hips are used in healing spells

• Used in fast luck mixtures and spells

• Sprinkled about the house to reduce and calm stress

• In the garden they attract the fey

• Carried as a protective charm


Medicinal and Homeopathic Uses

Roses can be used for many things including:

• Reducing fevers
• Cleansing toxins
• Soothing rashes
• Reducing swelling/inflammation
• Increases the bodies immunity
• Fights infections
• Colds and flues
• Sore throats
• Bronchial congestion
• Digestive issues
• Balancing intestinal bacteria
• Diuretic
• Menstrual concerns
• Infertility/sexual desire
• Relieveing excess fluids from the bladder
• Supports kidney function
• Diarrhea
• Enteritis
• Dysentery
• Laxative
• Enhances flow of bile/liver and gallbladder function
• Relieves headaches
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Calming
• Anxiety

References

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/roses-18.html#rec

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose

http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_rose.htm

http://www.talewins.com/Treasures/essays/roses.htm

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

Your Backyard Herb Garden: A Gardener's Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, by Miranda Smith

The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicines by Matthew Wood

The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants by Matthew Wood

The Healing Power of Herbs: The Enlightened Person's Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants by Michael T. Murray N.D.

Wise Woman Herbal Healing Wise by Susun S. Weed and Durga Bernhard

Mastering Herbalism by Paul Huson

Cullpepper’s Colour Herbal edited by David Potterton