Why The Rose Is The Queen Of All Flowers; And One Of Nature’s Most Exquisite Healers

By Dr. Puja Shah

Let me make you a promise: by the time you finish this article, you’ll never see roses in the same way again.

We’ll start with a curious fact: the Ayurvedic name for rose is shatapatri, meaning “a hundred petals,” and its Latin name also means “a hundred petals”.

Ayurveda regards the rose as the queen of all flowers. Firstly because it’s used for various specific ailments in Ayurvedic medicine, including amenorrhea, Pitta-aggravated headaches, and acne. And secondly, because rose is also an incredible addition to your daily health and beauty regimen.

Here are some ways you can harness the generous power of rose:

For healthy skin

Rose promotes radiant, glowing skin from the inside out, and is said to enhance all seven dhatus, which are the body tissues.

For the face, especially in warmer climates or weather, a few sprays of organic rose water is refreshing and makes for a great toner. I personally love this easy method I discovered years ago. Plus, this spray is tridoshic, meaning it benefits everyone.

What you need:

• 2 cups red or pink fresh organic rose petals
• 2 cups distilled water
• 1 large pan (with a glass lid)
• 2 glass bowls
• A Bag of ice
• Sterile glass spray bottle for storage

Method:

1. Separate all the petals and gently wash in cold water so they are clean.
2. Place a bowl upside down in the middle of the pan.
3. Place all the petals and water around the bowl and then place the second bowl facing up on top of the first bowl.
4. Cover the pan with the lid upside down and bring the water to a gentle simmer.
5. Place a bag of ice on top of the lid, the steam water will collect in the bowl.
6. Continue the process until the petals have gone limp and lost all their color.
7. You can lift the lid and allow the water to accumulate.
8. Cool the water and then store it in a glass spray bottle (keep in a cool place like the refrigerator).

In your tea

Another great use of rose is ingesting it as a tea to balance the Pitta dosha and open the heart.

You can purchase rose tea or make your own. To prepare, gently pour 8 oz. of almost boiled water over 1 – 2 tsp. of dried rose petals. Cover and steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain petals from tea and allow the tea to cool slightly.

For an amazing bath

You can even add rose petals to your bath (my favorite!) and allow the fragrance to calm your mind especially if you are in need of Vata balancing energy.

In your home

Lastly, Ayurveda encourages creating a home environment that serves you. The visual beauty of the rose in your home, whether in a central room or on your altar, allows for a sweet reminder to soften your heart, and feel the energy of love.