Rose (Rosa centifolia) - Medicinal Properties, Benefits, Dosage

Description of Rose Plant

Rose generally called by name Indian cabbage rose. Rose is herb, grows as small shrub. This plant is cultivated in abundance throughout the world for its cosmetic and medicinal objectives. It grows up to approximate height of 1.5- 2 m having spikes, this plant might range in size from compact, miniature, can extend to 7 meters in height. It is usually planted for its fragrant flowers which are used commercially.

Rose is woody and thorny perennial plant. Leaves of this plant grow alternately, possessing sharply toothed oval-shaped leaflets. Fruit of this plant is fleshy and edible, that ripens and called as rose hip. Species from different parts of the world easily hybridize, which has given rise to the many types of garden roses. In India almost 150 original varieties and above 2500 hybrid varieties of roses are found.

General Description

Rose plant having so many medicinal properties, which makes it very useful as blood purifier. Anti-inflammatory and aphrodisiac action, of this plant is effective in various health issues like in intestinal ulcer, diarrhea etc. In Ayurveda whole plant has been used for medicinal purpose.

The flowers and leaves of this plant comprises 1.3% and 8.5% of saponin respectively. Petals consist of methionine sulphoxide. The volatile oil obtained from the flowers possesses citronellol, geraniol, nerol, phenylethanol. It also contains 15% tannins. The whole plant produces quercetin, kaempferol and cyaniding. The rose hip (fruit) good in vitamin C, malic acid and citric acid.

Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Rosales
• Family: Rosaceae
• Subfamily: Rosoideae
• Genus: Rosa
• Species: R.centifolia

Habitat

It is native to Persia. Rose is commercially planted in Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, France etc. In India it, is extensively cultivated in Kashmir, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab states. Bulgarian and Indian Rose have quality Fragrance due to its soil temperature and atmosphere. Indian rose is commonly found and also cultivated plant throughout cold and temperate climatic part of India.

Names of the Rose

• Hindi name – Gulab
• Sanskrit - Shatapatri
• English name – Rose
• Kannada – Gulabihuvu
• Telugu name – Gulabipuvvu

Ayurvedic Properties

Effects on Doshas

This plant helps to keep the vata and kapha doshas balanced. It helps to decrease pitta dosha.

Classical Categorization

Ancient Verse about Rose

Bhavprakash nighantu edition of 1998: verse 22-23, page no- 488-489.

Shatpatri, taruni, karnika, charukeshra, mahakumari, gandhaheya, lakshapushpa and atimanjula are synonyms of rose.

It is cold in potency, good for heart, light in nature, enhances semen and good for managing blood disorders. It is good for complexion, and having pungent and bitter taste.

References

The Bhavprakash nighantu with elaborated Hindi commentary by Padmashri prof. K.C. Chunekar, edited by Dr. G.S. Pandey: Edition of 1998, verse – 22-23, page no. 488 to 489.

Practical Uses of Rose

• It is very useful in heart disease, improves high blood pressure.
• Powder prepared of dried petals or simply the paste of the rose petals when applied over the wounds, provide quick healing.
• Application of paste of the petals over the body helps to regulate excessive sweating and gives pleasant smell.
• Useful in eye problems, use of rose petals extract as drops or as eye wash, due to its anti-septic effect provides relief from burning sensation occurring in  eyes.
• The dried paste of its petals is quiet effective to manage the problem of gastritis and duodenal ulcer, which can be consumed in a dose of 5g along with milk.
• Useful in constipation also, its decoction prepared from the rose buds with a dosage of 20-30ml is beneficial.
• Rosehip tincture is effective as an astringent, manages the conditions of diarrhea and relieves colic pain.
• Benefits in sore throats, infusion of rose made from petals is used to gargle.
• Creams prepared from essential oil of rose are effective in managing dry or inflamed skin symptoms as it moisturizes, because of its antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory effects.
• The dried fruit of wild rose is especially filled with vitamin C, it is 3 times more than citrus fruits, which makes it quiet effective to prevent scurvy.
• Herbal tea prepared from rose petals is very suitable to control acidity, burning sensation in the body, dryness of the oral cavity and operational against infection in the intestine.
• Rose essential oil is also useful as aromatherapy in insomnia and blood pressure.
• The rose extract or oil has extreme use in cosmetic industry as an ingredient of soap, body wash, perfumes, body spray etc.

Parts Used

Fresh or dried flower petals

Dosage

• Powder - 3gm to 6gm
• Distillate - According to the necessity
• Distillate from flower - 20ml to 30ml

Precautions to Be Taken

Some people might have allergy to this herb. No drug interactions or contraindications have been noted with intake of this plant.