Are Roses herbs? You
bet. The Rose,
Rosa spp., is not
only a gorgeous and fragrant flower, but it is also used as a
culinary and medicinal herb. I have 24 antique roses in my
garden and I know all of them by name, color, bloom season and
if they produce rose hips. Hips are produced in the fall from
the flower head after the blossoms are spent. Rose hips are the
highest natural source of Vitamin C and quite delicious,
particularly mixed with Lemon Balm or Chamomile or used in a
Respiratory Tea for cedar fever or allergies. As well as making
a tea, the hips can be made into syrup, jelly and cookies.
I use fresh rose petals in my
Rosewater but I also frequently use dry rose blossoms in herbal
steams and Miracle Grains (a facial cleanser). Fresh rose
petals can be made into an infusion and used as an astringent to
help alleviate heavy bleeding and for infantile or childhood
diarrhea. In Belize, the petals of red roses are
frequently used as a strong infusion (tea), to control
hemorrhaging during childbirth. (Herbal Remedies of the
Rainforest by Rosita Arvigo).
Roses speak the language of
love and are frequently given to those we love and cherish.
Roses signify romance and seduction. Cleopatra filled her
boudoir with knee-deep rose petals when seducing Mark Anthony.
In old-fashioned Tussie Mussies, red roses signify everlasting
love, pink roses signify sweet affection while white roses
signify the purity of romantic love.
When planting your garden
this spring, choose some roses for your enjoyment, medicinal
benefits, cosmetic use and their sheer beauty. Remember
they do need some special care but the rewards are ten fold.
Please view a
“Gallery of Roses” to get a glimpse into my spring
garden.
