Meet Rose
"The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies. Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential. It seems to be constantly in the process of change: Yet at each state, at each moment, it is perfectly all right as it is."
Paulo Coelho
Of all of the versatile herbs, Rose is probably my favorite. It can be infused in oils and butters. It can be used in a water infusion as a tea or a syrup. It can be extracted through alcohol, glycerin, or vinegar. It can be distilled to draw out it’s essential oils.
In the high summer, when the beach roses bloom, I find myself creating a little bit of everything with roses! They even find their way into a pitcher of water left in the fridge to quell my thirst and open my heart. Every year I infuse petals in jojoba oil to use in face serums and skin creams. I make a giant batch of rose petal glycerite, which is one of the most exquisite creations!
To me, there is no other herb (aside from hawthorn) that speaks to the heart as much as the Rose. It’s nourishing in a different way than hawthown. My most fascinating experiences with the Rose has been enveloping myself in it’s effects on the emotional body and the heart field. It reminds me of othertimes, otherworlds. It takes me back to my grandparents house, which always had fresh cut roses from the many rose bushes my grandparents kept, on the kitchen table floating in water. Sometimes with one sniff, I am 8 years old again staring into a big bowl filled with roses that seemed as big as my head.
And as we know, the heart’s emotional state directly correlates to it’s physical state. The two cannot really be separated, except in conversation.
And, For the sake of conversation………
Some therapeutic properties of rose (from Aromatherapy, Healing for the Body & Soul by Kathi Keville): antidepressant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antibacterial, and antiviral. Rose may also increase menstruation and calm the nervous system. [1]
The principal constitutes of rose are: geraniol (up to 75%), citronellol, nerol, stearopten, phenyl ethanol, farnesol, and others. [2]
Emotionally, rose helps to encourage motivation, inner vitality, confidence, passion, cooperation, fulfillment, forgiveness, and a sense of freedom. [3]
Rose Flower Essences, each hold their own unique signature, depending on the species of rose. Most of them have a strong energy that correlates to the heart and heart energy.
Here is a little group of explorations with rose for you to play with:
Exploration 1:
Before you begin the exploration do a quick check in and see how you feel.
Are you present ?(What do your bones feel like?). Are you occupied? (What does your energy feel like?). Notice your breath. Check in with your heart. Is there a general emotion that you are feeling?
Now take a few rose petals, ideally fresh if you have them, and put them in your hand. Just hold them there for a moment or two.
Notice what, if anything, in your body, energy, or emotions shift.
Now take a deep inhale of their scent.
What does it bring you? An emotion? A body sensation? A memory? A sound?
Exploration 2:
Before you begin the exploration do a quick check in and see how you feel.
Are you present ?(What do your bones feel like?). Are you occupied? (What does your energy feel like?). Notice your breath. Check in with your heart. Is there a general emotion that you are feeling?
Now take a bottle of rose glycerin, rose water, or rose flower essence in your hands. Simply hold it there for a moment or two.
Notice what, if anything, in your body, energy, or emotions shift.
Can you feel the energetics of the rose through the bottle?
Now take a drop or two of the glycerin, rose water, or flower essence into your mouth.
Notice what happens.
What does it bring you? An emotion? A body sensation? A memory? A sound?
What gifts in the form of shifts and changes did rose bring you?
If you did both explorations, which one was most powerful to you?
Can you summarize what you experienced in one or two sentences?
You can add a touch of rose to any simple tea (or use it solo) to bring forth the essence of the rose. Some of my favorites are nettles, tulsi, and oatstraw.
Try adding a touch of rose to your next cup of herbal tea and see where it takes you.
[1] [2] Aromatherapy. Healing for the Body & Soul by Kathi Keville. 1998
[3] Aromatherapy for the Soul by Valerie Ann Worwood. 1999