Rose - Magical & Medicinal Correspondence
MATERIA MAGICA: ROSE
According to Judy Ann Nock in The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs: Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Powers of Herbs
The French rose is one of the oldest cultivated garden plants. Also called “apothecary rose,” the open blossoms occur in an almost limitless array of varieties. Roses are believed to have been first cultivated in China, with a history rumored to date back five thousand years.
The rose is a hermaphroditic deciduous shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall. It flowers from early to midsummer and does well in light woodlands with partial shade to full sun. Roses require moist soil. Its petals are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. Rose petals are used in teas, spice blends, and in rose water, which is an ingredient in Turkish delight, a popular confection.
There is perhaps no other flower as strongly associated with romance as the rose.
Known as the queen of flowers
The gift of a rose has long been held as a gesture of love.
Roses are used in magick to evoke sexual attraction or heal relationships of all types
The rose has correlations with spiritual enlightenment
According to RiteofRitual.com:
Element Associations: Water
Planetary Associations: Venus
Astrological Associations: Taurus
Chakra Associations: Root + Heart
Energy: Feminine/Receptive
Magical Properties: Love, Divination, Protection, Beauty, Goddess Magick
Healing Properties: Mild Sedative, Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory, Boost appetite
Use in spell work in:
beauty and glamour magic.
Make a rose syrup to help soothe sore throats.
Add rose petals to a bath to relax your mind and body.
Burn dried roses as incense.
Make a rose tea to boost sexuality
and as an anti-inflammatory.
Use with candles to attract love.
Burn rose petals and use the ashes to cut ties with a former lover.
Add to a sachet for sleep to promote sweet dreams.
Rose Has long been associated with the Goddess Aphrodite.
MATERIA MEDICA: ROSE
According to TheHerbalAcademy.com :
Common, Botanical, & Family Names
Rose, hip rose, dog rose, wild dog rose, cabbage rose, red rose (Skenderi, 2003), shatapatri, gulab (Khalsa & Tierra, 2011)
Rosa spp. (e.g., Rosa rugosa, Rosa damascena, Rosa canina, Rosa gallica)
Rosaceae
Botanical Description
Roses are perennial, deciduous plants with sharply thorned stems. Some rose species are climbers, while others are more shrubby in form. While leaf characteristics vary from species to species, rose leaves are often alternately arranged and pinnately divided (Pemberton, 1920).
Rose flowers come in all different colors and numbers of petals. Red and pink rose flowers are most often used by herbalists. Regardless of species, the flowers have five sepals and petals in multiples of five (Pemberton, 1920). The flowers often have a pleasant floral aroma, and the more fragrant species may be more useful to herbalists.
Rose fruits are known as rose hips. They are typically orange to red in color. The hips have many seeds in the center, surrounded by hairs and an outer layer of flesh (Barker, 2001).
Part of Plant Used
Flower buds, flower petals, and fruits (hips); this monograph will only discuss the flowers/petals
Types of Preparations
Infusion, tincture, glycerite, infused honey, elixir, cordial infused oil, powder, syrup, infused vinegar, cream, lotion, jellies and jams
Harvesting Guidelines and Sustainability Issues
Harvest flower buds and rose petals on a dry morning when they are at their most fragrant. Petals should be harvested immediately after blooming or in early bloom stage (the petals should not be widely open) (Barker, 2001). Harvest can occur all season long. If stamens have been collected along with the buds or petals, they should be removed after harvesting (Grieve, 1931/1971).
While it is possible to harvest buds and petals without coming into contact with the thorny stems, wearing long sleeves and bringing along gloves to use if needed may be advisable.
Cultivated roses are sometimes heavily sprayed with chemicals, and choosing organically grown roses may be preferable.
No sustainability concerns noted.
Chemical Constituents
Volatile oils (e.g., citronellol, geraniol, eugenol, myrcene), tannins, phenolic compounds (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol, flavonoids), beta-sitosterol, polysaccharides, organic acids (e.g., malic acid, tartaric acid), saponins, resin (Elizabeth, n.d.; United States Department of Agriculture, n.d.).
Actions
Astringent, anti-inflammatory, nervine, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, carminative, refrigerant (Khalsa & Tierra, 2011; Lad & Frawley, 1986; Pole, 2013)
Taste & Energetics
Bitter, pungent, astringent, sweet (Khalsa & Tierra, 2011; Pole, 2013); cooling, dry, light (Pole, 2013)According to Ayurveda, rose has a sweet post-digestive effect, and is beneficial to all three doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha), especially pitta (Lad & Frawley, 1986; Pole, 2013).
Uses
Rose has long been considered a symbol of love and beauty, and it has a lengthy history of use in both aromatherapy and herbalism. Rose blossoms were employed in ancient Greece for their perfume, and the flower itself was associated with passion in poetry and particularly with Aphrodite/Venus, the goddesses of love, although roses eventually became a symbol of excess in the Roman Empire (D’Andrea, 1982). Many varieties were used in ancient days for feasts, wreathing, worship, and for honoring the dead (D’Andrea, 1982).
Rose also played a role in the healing arts in antiquity, often used as an astringent and vulnerary, but also in addressing a variety of different body systems and issues; some of these uses have continued to the present day. Rose was used in ancient Greece and the Roman Empire in plasters and eye unguents (Pliny, 77/1906). Dioscorides (70/2000) recorded recipes for rose including oil preparations and remarked upon its astringency and cooling nature; many of his indications demonstrate a vulnerary use.
Rose as a Vulnerary
Because of this long history of use as a vulnerary, promoting tissue repair, along with rose’s aromatic perfume, it is often incorporated into skincare products. Rose’s vulnerary properties may be partially due to its tannin content—astringent tannins help to bind tissue together, preventing blood loss and encouraging wound healing. Rose’s anti-inflammatory nature can also help to ease the pain and inflammation associated with wounds and irritated or itchy skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis (Khalsa & Tierra, 2011; Pole, 2013), and rose is particularly beneficial for pitta-type skin issues, characterized by heat and inflammation (Khalsa & Tierra, 2011). Rose makes an excellent addition to an astringent facial toner and helps to clear acne (Pole, 2013).
This vulnerary effect also applies to mucous membranes. Lad and Frawley (1986) suggest using fresh rose petals infused in honey or sugar for a sore throat or mouth sores. And rose can also be used for inflammation of the digestive tract (Pole, 2013).
To investigate rose’s purported anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, Houseinpour et al. (2011) held a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study that evaluated the efficacy of Rosa damascena to treat recurrent mouth lesions. The researchers concluded that the mouthwash made from an aqueous extract of rose was found to be more effective than placebo (Hoseinpour et al., 2011).
Rose for the Eyes
Rose has been employed since antiquity and across cultures for eye complaints, both physical and energetic (Dioscorides, 70/2000; Pliny, 77/1906; Wood, 2009). Prior to the Medieval period, German Benedictine abbess and herbalist Hildegard von Bingen (1155/2001) mentions using rose to clear the eyes, and rose was mixed with other preparations for the eyes in the Renaissance period (Parkinson, 1640).
Rose is also strongly associated with the eyes in Ayurveda, where it is used for inflamed, itchy, and red eyes—all signs of excess pitta in the eyes. It is also employed as a specific for inflamed eyelids (Pole, 2013). A common ayurvedic preparation for eye health is rose water, which is spritzed on the eyes to cool and refresh them (Lad & Frawley, 1986). It is also specifically used for headaches behind the eyes (Pole, 2013).
Rose as a Reproductive Restorative
Rose is valued for its ability to act as a reproductive restorative, particularly in Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. In both traditions it is used to increase semen production, libido, and fertility, and to address menstrual cycle dysregulation (Holmes, 2007; Pole, 2013).
This indication for regulating the menstrual cycle is also found in Western traditions, at least as far back as the Renaissance period and probably much further; both Parkinson (1640) and Culpeper (1653/1850) noted that dried and powdered roses infused in water or wine were used to help “stay women’s courses.” In Ayurveda, rose is often combined with shatavari as a reproductive tonic, and with safflower and hibiscus to regulate the menstrual cycle (Lad & Frawley, 1986).
In Western herbalism, rose is commonly used as a uterine astringent, helpful for menorrhagia, postpartum blood loss, and uterine prolapse. It is also frequently added to sitz bath formulas during the postpartum period and for vaginal irritation or inflammation (Bensky & Gamble, 1993; L. Olson, personal communication, February, 23, 2022; Wood, 2008). These properties are likely due to rose’s tannin content.
Rose as a Nervine
Meditating on the rose, we can clearly see its healthy boundaries: a soft but strong heart that is open yet protected. Rose’s connection with grief may be traced back to ancient days wherein they were symbolically used in funerals and honoring the dead (D’Andrea, 1982). Today roses are often used to soothe and open the energetic heart and for a lack of self-love, vulnerability, broken hearts, and grief (Hardin, n.d.), as well as for emotional shock, depression (Holmes, 2007). These properties may be partly due to rose’s aromatic volatile oils.
In Ayurveda, rose is considered to be medhya (having the ability to improve the intellect), and is known to have a calming effect on the heart and mind. Note only that, it is used to nourish the nerves, and can be used long term to manage depression and anxiety (Pole, 2013).
Dosage
Infusion: 1-10 g dried petal/day (Pole, 2012)
Tincture: 5-15 mL (1:2, 50%) per day (fresh herb) (Pole, 2012); 5 drops – 2 mL (1:5, 40%) 3x/day (dried herb) (Easley & Horne, 2016)
Safety
Rose is generally deemed safe. Due to its tannin content, rose petals may reduce the intestinal absorption of iron and alkaloids; caution is advised in cases of iron deficiency and for those taking pharmaceuticals containing alkaloids (Brinker, 2010).
References
Barker, J. (2001). The medicinal flora of Britain and northwestern Europe. Winter Press.
Bensky, D., & Gamble, A. (1993). Chinese herbal medicine materia medica. Eastland Press.
Brinker, F. (2010). Herbal contraindications and drug interactions (4th ed.). Eclectic Medical Publications.
Culpeper, N. (1850). The complete herbal. Thomas Kelly. (Original work published 1653). http://www.gutenberg.org/files/49513/49513-h/49513-h.htm
D’Andrea, J. (1982). Ancient herbs in the J. Paul Getty Museum gardens. The J. Paul Getty Museum.
Dioscorides. (2000). De materia medica (T.A. Obaldeston & R.P.A. Wood, Trans.). Ibidis Press. (Original work published 70 CE)
Easley, T., & Horne, S. (2016). The modern herbal dispensatory: A medicine-making guide. North Atlantic Books.
Elizabeth, C. (n.d.). Rose monograph. Herb Rally. https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/rose
Lad, V., & Frawley, D. (2001). The yoga of herbs. Lotus Press.
Grieve, M. (1971). A modern herbal. Dover Publications. (Original work published 1931)
Hardin, K.R. (n.d.). Rose (Rosa spp.). http://animacenter.org/rosa.html
Holmes, P. (2007). The energetics of Western herbs: A materia medica integrating Western and Chinese herbal therapeutics (Vol. 1). Snow Lotus Press.
Hoseinpour, H., Peel, S.A., Rakhshandeh, H., Forouzanfar, A., Taheri, M., Rajabi, O., … Sohrabi, K. (2011). Evaluation of Rosa damascena mouthwash in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Quintessence International, 42(6), 483-491.
Khalsa, K.P.S., & Tierra, M. (2011). The way of ayurvedic herbs. Lotus Press.
Parkinson, J. (1640). Theatrum botanicum: The theater of plants or, an herbal of large extent. The Cotes.
Pemberton, J.H. (1920). Roses: Their history, development, and cultivation. Applewood Books.
Pliny. (1906). C Plini secundi naturalis historiae (K. Mayhoff, Ed.). Leipzig, Germany: Teubner. (Original work published 77 CE)
Pole, S. (2012). Ayurvedic medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Singing Dragon.
Skenderi, G. (2003). Herbal vade mecum. Herbacy Press
Tobyn, G., Denham, A., & Whitelegg, M. (2016). The Western herbal tradition: 2000 years of medicinal plant knowledge. Singing Dragon.
United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Database. https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/phytochem/search
von Bingen, H. (2001). Hildegard’s healing plants: From her Medieval classic Physica (B.W. Hozeski, Trans.). Beacon Press. (Original work published 1155)
Wood, M. (2008). The earthwise herbal: A complete guide to Old World medicinal plants. North Atlantic Books.
Wood, M. (2009). The earthwise herbal: A complete guide to New World medicinal plants. North Atlantic Books.
SOURCES
Judy Ann Nock in The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs: Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Powers of Herbs
RiteOfRitual.com
TheHerbalAcademy.com
