The Healing Properties Of Roses

Roses have such deep symbolism, tradition, and meaning for many of us – but did you know they also bring an amazing wealth of healing power to every sip of herbal tea they’re added to? Roses are one of my favorite herbal allies, and by the end of this article I think you’ll be excited to find or make tea blends that include them.  The healing properties of roses, both petals and hips, are rivaled only by their amazing scent and impressive colors.

Please note: conventional roses are some of the most chemically-treated plants on the market. You absolutely must buy organic, therapeutic-grade varieties of roses or you may be getting more than you bargain for in your tea. Below I’ll share my personal choices for rose petal and hips suppliers so that you won’t have to guess.

Petals & Hips

There are two sections of the rose plant that are used medicinally: the petals and the hips. The petals have a very specific application in plant medicine which we’ll explore below. The hips, or fruit of the rose plant, are packed with essential nutrients and make a wonderful addition to many tea blends for flavor, preservation, color, and vitamins.

The varieties of medicinal roses I work with are known as Rosa damascena, Rosae rugosa, and Rosa canina.

RosePetals

The Healing Properties Of Rose Petals

Don’t let the delicacy of rose petals fool you! They pack some amazing medicinal benefits that make them a traditional favorite in many traditions of herbal practice.

Skin & Gums

One of the most common places we see the use of rose petals is in skincare products, and there’s a very good reason for that. Rose petals are gentle and nourishing, and they have a special action called astringency that makes them a great friend to even the most delicate skin. Astringent herbs help tone, tighten, and support the tissues. When this action happens on the facial skin, for example, it can provide a smoother, softer, and more protected skin surface. I make a tooth powder that includes a lot of rose petals for the same reason – they help tone, protect, moisten, and tighten the gums which is essential for good oral health. See below for a wonderful tooth powder recipe I love using.

Cold Mucous

The energy of rose petals is warm and sweet. This is one of the reasons why they make a wonderful addition to aphrodisiac tea blends. Because they warm, rose petals can help gently dry out excess mucous – especially when it runs clear which is a sign of coldness in the body. Darker colored mucous is an indication of heat, so rose petals would not be used for those situations.

Congestion & Stagnation

One of my favorite benefits of rose petal herbal tea is that is helps relieve ‘stuck’ feelings in the gut and lower abdomen – especially in women. Rose petals are classified as carminative, so they can help relieve indigestion, bloating, congestion in the chest, and even help balance our menstruation that isn’t happening or isn’t following a regular pattern.

Feel The Love

I use rose petals in pretty much every herbal tea blend I create that focuses on listing sadness, depression, or the blues. It has an uplifting and gathering energy that helps us feel loved, joyful, and grateful. It is, after all, the quintessential flower of love – so what better way to use it than to show ourselves some love whenever we need it.

The Healing Properties Of Rose Hips

Rose hips are actually the fruit of the rose flower. They have a wonderfully tart and sweet flavor that can help bring life and energy to an herbal tea blend that might be on the bland side. They’re also packed with vitamins, so using them often is a great idea!

RoseHips

Astringent Action

Like rose petals, rose hips also have astringency – but theirs is much stronger. They can be used in skin care formulas with great success, but they can also be used when astringent action is needed internally such as in the case of diarrhea or frequent urination.

Vitamin Powerhouse

Rose hips have some of the highest vitamin C content of any plant we use medicinally. Adding them to herbal tea blends can boost vitamin content while offering the natural preservative action of vitamin C. Many herbalists add rose hips to various herbal products to help them stay fresh and vibrant longer.

Seasonal Sickness

Because of the high vitamin C and astringency of rose hips, they make a popular addition to all herbal tea blends for colds, allergies, flu, and cough. The blast of vitamin C from rose hips can help bolster the immune system and keep us from catching what’s going around, or dramatically lessen the length of time we’re sick. Instead of turning to synthetic vitamin C drinks and powders, make tea with rose hips!

Organic Rose Hips

The Energy Of Roses

Since time immemorial, roses have been a symbol of love, the process of giving and receiving, selflessness, and compassion.

When people I work with are ready to attract love into their lives, I suggest a daily herbal tea made with rose petals and hips. If the heart feels blocked, afraid, or cut off from the world, rose petals can help us find new ways to open up, let go, and trust.

A simple herbal tea made from rose petals, chamomile, lavender, hibiscus petals, and marshmallow root is a floral, fragrant, and sweet tea to sip while meditating from the heart and opening up to more love.

Rose Tooth Powder Recipe

Rose Tooth Powder Recipe

I love this recipe, and use it every single day. It has help tighten and heal my gums, whiten and brighten my teeth, and even strengthen my teeth.

1 Tablespoon Bentonite Clay
1 teaspoon Activated Charcoal1 teaspoon Sea Salt
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Common Sage
1 teaspoon Spearmint
1 teaspoon Peppermint
1 teaspoon Orange Peel
1 teaspoon Rose Petals
1 teaspoon Rose Hips
1 teaspoon Echinacea Root
1 teaspoon Myrrh Gum Resin
1 teaspoon Cinnamon (optional)
1 Clove (optional – good for sensitive teeth and gums)
1 teaspoon Stevia Leaf (optional)

Combine all herbs and run them through a clean coffee or spice grinder until they are powdered. Sift herb blend through a fine mesh sieve and blend with other ingredients.

To use: After flossing, wet a clean toothbrush and load with tooth powder. Massage into gums gently for several minutes. Rinse and brush with your usual cleansing toothpaste.

Note: Your teeth and skin will turn black from the charcoal, but have no fear! It will rinse and wipe right off. Using this in the shower is a great no-mess option.

Rose Herbal Tea Recipes

Cold-Dodger Herbal Tea Recipe

Sip this tea when everyone around you seems to be getting sick.

Note: a ‘part’ can be any volume measurement you choose. For a big batch, a part might be a cup. For a small batch, a part might be a Tablespoon.

5 parts Lemon Balm
3 parts Peppermint
1 part Echinacea Root
1 part Astragalus Root
2 parts Rose Hips

Steep 1  Tablespoon in 8-10 ounces boiled water for 8 minutes. Enjoy once the temperature is comfortable. I like drinking this tea three times a day when people I’m close to are sick with the cold.


Heart Flower Herbal Tea

Blend this floral herbal tea whenever you need to open up your heart, lift sadness, or connect to the beauty and magic of your life. Sipping before meditation will do wonders!

3 parts Chamomile
1 part Lavender
1 part Rose Petals
1 part Hibiscus Petals
1 part Peppermint

Steep 1  Tablespoon in 8-10 ounces boiled water for 8 minutes. Enjoy once the temperature is comfortable.

Organic Healing Herbs

Try rose petals in your next herbal tea blend… I think you’ll love what they do for you!

Josh Williams Herbalist