We can trace the origin of roses all the way back to China. Not only are roses planted for decorative purpose, but they are also useful for their medicinal healing qualities.
When I visited my friends Tai-ling and KK during the winter in South Australia, I was amazed by how their roses thrived in the cold winter, blooming with grace and pride in spite of the cold. There were white, pink and red roses, the fragrance of which I find soothing to the nerves.
I decided to cut a few stalks of roses and brew a tea, peeling off the rose petals carefully by hand, rinsing them and putting some petals into my cup. Then I pour hot water just-off-the-boil over the petals and let them steep for a few minutes.
Sipping warm rose tea in the warm morning sun on the patio was my most enjoyable and relaxing routine during my visit.
Roses are extremely useful and beneficial, and their health benefits include: anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, carminative, decongesting, detoxifying, aromatic, astringent, and cleansing to the gut.
This is what Deb Soule says about roses:
The anti-microbial activity in rose petals helps resolve infections in the gastrointestinal tract. Its astringent and cooling properties reduce hyperacidity, heartburn, enteritis and diarrhea. Rose petal tea also helps heal mouth and gut ulcers.
The cooling and decongesting qualities of rose petals help relieve uterine pain and spasms, uterine congestion, heavy menstrual bleeding and clear up vaginal infections and inflammation. Roses reduce hot flashes, premenstrual and menopausal stress, including feelings of low self-esteem. Roses ease irritability and anger and help lessen painful symptoms associated with menstruation, endometriosis and fibroids.
A pure rose water spray cools hot flashes, PMS heat, emotional agitation, red and irritated skin eruptions, and inflamed vaginal tissue.
Rose petals tea also heals sore throats and mouth sores.
Posted by June Ka Lim, macrobiotic chef and counselor
26 Aug 2014
