Rose Flowers

(S) Shatapatri

(C) Yeu ji hua

Part Used: flowers

Energetics: bitter, pungent, astringent, sweet/cooling/sweet VPK= (may increase Kapha or Ama in excess)

Tissues: plasma, blood, marrow and nerve, reproductive

Systems: circulatory, female reproductive, nervous

Actions: alterative, emmenagogue, refrigerant, nervine, carminative, laxative, astringent

Indications: amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, uterine hemorrhage, inflamed eyes, dizziness, headaches, sore throat, enlarged tonsils

Precautions: high Kapha

Preparation: infusion (hot or cold), powder (250 mg to 1 g), rose water

ROSE flOWERS are particularly good for reducing Pitta. They relieve heat, congestion of the blood and soothe inflamed surfaces. Fresh rose petals can be macerated in honey or raw sugar and used for sore throat or mouth sores; or they may be taken with warm milk as a mild laxative for Pitta individuals.

Rose water can be prepared by boiling fresh petals and condensing the steam into another vessel. It opens the mind and heart and is cooling and refreshing to the eyes. Rose is a well known flower of love and devotion of Bhakti and of Puja, of devotional worship. The lotus of the heart is a rose.

As a tonic, rose flowers combine well with shatavari. For regulating menstruation, they combine well with safflower or hibiscus.