A little bit of Rose

The Timeless Art of Herbalism: Rose as Nature’s Cooling Remedy

There’s something profoundly beautiful about the intersection of botanical art and herbal wisdom. The delicate pink roses depicted in this vintage-inspired illustration aren’t just a feast for the eyes—they represent centuries of herbal knowledge about one of nature’s most beloved healing plants. This particular botanical rendering, reminiscent of Victorian-era apothecary labels, captures not only the physical beauty of the rose but also its deeper significance in the world of traditional medicine. Heritage Havens stands for bringing back the medicine of the past into our modern day havens today.

Rose: More Than Just Beauty

While roses have long been celebrated for their romantic symbolism and intoxicating fragrance, herbalists have treasured them for their remarkable medicinal properties. The classification here—“cooling” and “drying”—speaks to traditional herbal energetics, a system that helps practitioners understand how plants interact with the body. This framework, developed over millennia across various cultures from Traditional Chinese Medicine to European herbalism, provides a sophisticated way of matching plants to individual constitutions and conditions.

What Does “Cooling” Mean?

In herbal medicine, cooling herbs are used to calm inflammation, reduce heat in the body, and soothe irritated tissues. Rose perfectly embodies these qualities, making it a go-to remedy when the body manifests signs of excess heat—think redness, inflammation, irritation, or that feeling of being overheated from within.

The cooling nature of rose makes it particularly valuable for:

Calming inflamed skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and acne—rose water has been used for centuries as a gentle facial toner.

Soothing digestive upset where there’s a burning sensation or inflammation in the gut.

Reducing redness and irritation in sensitive or reactive skin.

Easing the heat of minor burns or sunburn through topical application.

Cooling “hot” emotions such as anger, frustration, or anxiety that manifest with physical heat.

Supporting the body during fever as a gentle, supportive remedy.

The “Drying” Quality

The drying nature of rose refers to its astringent properties, which help tone and tighten tissues. When herbalists describe a plant as “drying,” they’re referring to its ability to reduce excess moisture, firm loose tissues, and create a mild constricting action. This makes rose particularly useful for conditions involving excess moisture or loose tissues.

Rose’s astringent properties are beneficial for:

-Weeping or wet skin conditions where there’s excess discharge or moisture.

Diarrhea or loose stools, particularly when accompanied by heat or inflammation.

Excessive menstrual bleeding, used traditionally to help regulate flow.

Toning mucous membranes throughout the body.

Tightening and firming aging skin through topical application.

Supporting tissue repair after injury or surgery.

The Rich History of Rose in Medicine

The medicinal use of rose spans continents and millennia. Ancient Egyptians used roses in religious ceremonies and for medicinal purposes. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder documented 32 different medicinal preparations using roses. Persian physicians like Avicenna distilled rose water and prescribed it for numerous ailments.

During the medieval period, monastery gardens throughout Europe cultivated roses specifically for medicinal purposes. The apothecary rose (Rosa gallica officinalis) became the symbol of pharmacists and was so valued that it was grown in dedicated “physic gardens” for creating remedies.

Traditional Uses of Rose in Herbalism

Herbalists have employed various parts of the rose plant—petals, hips, leaves, and even roots—throughout history, with each part offering unique properties.

Rose Petals

The delicate petals are the most commonly used part in gentle remedies. Rose petal preparations include:

Rose tea: A soothing beverage that calms the nervous system, supports emotional well-being, and gently cools inflammation. It’s particularly beloved for grief and heartache, earning rose the reputation as a heart-healing herb in both physical and emotional senses.

Rose water: Created through steam distillation, this has been used for millennia in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures. It refreshes tired eyes, calms inflamed skin, serves as a gentle facial toner, and can even be added to cooking for a subtle floral note.

Rose glycerite or tincture: Concentrated preparations that preserve the medicinal properties for long-term use, often employed for emotional support and gentle digestive aid.

Rose honey: Petals infused in honey create a delicious remedy for sore throats and coughs, combining the soothing properties of both ingredients.

Rose Hips

The fruit of the rose plant, rose hips are nutritional powerhouses:

Exceptionally high in vitamin C — containing more than oranges, making them invaluable for immune support.

Rich in antioxidants including lycopene and beta-carotene.

Traditional use for joint health, particularly in Scandinavian folk medicine where rose hip powder is used for arthritis.

Made into syrups, jams, and teas that sustained communities through harsh winters.

Rose Essential Oil

Often called “rose otto” or “rose absolute,” rose essential oil is one of the most expensive essential oils due to the enormous quantity of petals required for production—it takes approximately 10,000 pounds of rose petals to produce one pound of oil. Its uses include:

Aromatherapy for emotional balance, particularly for grief, depression, and anxiety.

Skincare for mature or damaged skin, promoting cellular regeneration.

Nervous system support, helping to calm and center.

Aphrodisiac properties, connecting back to rose’s ancient association with love.

Understanding Herbal Energetics

The concept of “cooling” and “drying” herbs is part of a larger system of herbal energetics that considers the qualities of both plants and people. Just as people can have different constitutions—some running hot, others cold; some tending toward dampness, others toward dryness—plants have energetic signatures that make them particularly suited to certain conditions.

Rose, being cooling and drying, is particularly helpful for individuals who tend toward:

- Heat conditions (inflammation, redness, burning sensations)

- Excess moisture (weeping conditions, loose stools)

- Emotional “heat” (anger, frustration, irritability)

However, rose is gentle enough that it rarely causes issues even in those with cooler constitutions, making it one of the more universally appropriate herbs.

Modern Scientific Validation

Contemporary research has begun validating what herbalists have known for centuries. Studies have found that rose contains:

Polyphenols and flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Essential oils including citronellol and geraniol with antimicrobial effects.

Vitamin C and vitamin A supporting immune function and skin health.

Compounds that may help with anxiety and depression, supporting its traditional use for emotional well-being.

Anti-aging properties in skincare applications

Research has demonstrated rose’s effectiveness for menstrual pain, digestive discomfort, and skin conditions—all traditional uses now backed by modern science.

The Apothecary Tradition

The notation at the bottom of the illustration—”#101 $4 per Oz.”—connects us to a time when apothecaries measured out herbs with care, each remedy personally prepared for those who sought nature’s healing touch. That is who Heritage Havens is today. The pharmacies of old time, operating on the principle of working with the body’s natural healing abilities rather than simply suppressing symptoms.

Apothecaries would maintain an extensive materia medica, carefully cataloging each herb’s properties, preparations, and uses. Customers would describe their ailments, and the apothecary would compound custom formulas, weighing herbs on brass scales and packaging them in paper packets or glass bottles with handwritten labels.

This pricing notation also reminds us that quality herbs have always held value—the care in cultivation, harvesting at the right time, proper drying, and knowledgeable preparation all contribute to the efficacy of herbal medicine.

Bringing Rose into Your Life Today

The wisdom contained in this simple illustration invites us to reconnect with herbal traditions that have sustained humanity for thousands of years. Here are practical ways to incorporate rose into your daily life:

In the Kitchen

- Add rose water to lemonade, cocktails, or sparkling water for a refreshing drink

- Infuse sugar with dried rose petals for baking

- Make rose petal jam or rose hip syrup

- Brew rose petal tea, perhaps blended with chamomile for evening relaxation

In Self-Care

- Create a facial steam with fresh or dried rose petals

- Add rose water to your skincare routine as a toner

- Draw a bath with rose petals and Epsom salt for ultimate relaxation

- Make a simple rose petal salve with coconut oil for dry skin

For Emotional Well-Being

- Keep a cup of rose tea beside you during difficult emotional times

- Use rose essential oil in a diffuser during meditation or yoga

- Create a rose altar or shrine for grief work or heart healing

- Journal while sipping rose tea, allowing its gentle energy to support emotional processing

Growing Your Own

Consider planting roses specifically for herbal use. Old garden roses and heirloom varieties often have stronger fragrance and more medicinal properties than modern hybrid tea roses. Look for:

- Rosa gallica officinalis (Apothecary rose)

- Rosa damascena (Damask rose)

- Rosa rugosa (particularly for rose hips)

- Rosa centifolia (Cabbage rose)

Grow them without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, as you’ll be consuming these plants. Harvest petals in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day.

Sustainable Wildcrafting and Ethical Sourcing

As interest in herbalism grows, it’s crucial to approach our use of plants with respect and sustainability. When harvesting or purchasing roses:

- Never harvest more than 1/3 of petals from a single plant

- Ensure roses haven’t been treated with pesticides

- Purchase from reputable suppliers who prioritize organic and ethical growing practices

- Consider growing your own to know exactly how they’ve been cultivated

- Learn about endangered plant species and never harvest threatened or protected plants

The Deeper Medicine of Rose

Beyond its physical properties, rose carries profound emotional and spiritual medicine. In the language of flowers, roses speak of love, but in herbalism, this love extends to self-love, compassion, and the healing of emotional wounds. Rose is often called upon when the heart needs tending—after loss, during depression, or when we need to soften the hard edges we’ve built around ourselves for protection.

There’s an old saying among herbalists: “Rose opens the heart when it’s been closed by grief.” This isn’t mere poetry—the plant’s ability to gently cool inflammation extends to emotional inflammation as well. It helps us process difficult feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them.

Preserving Herbal Knowledge

This education serves as bridges between past and present, reminding us that the knowledge our ancestors held about plants isn’t obsolete—it’s essential. In an age of pharmaceutical dependence and environmental crisis, reconnecting with plant medicine offers both personal and planetary healing.

Herbalism invites us to:

- Slow down and observe the natural world

- Understand our bodies as part of nature, not separate from it

- Take responsibility for our own health and well-being

- Preserve traditional knowledge for future generations

- Develop a personal relationship with the plants that grow around us

Rose represents far more than a pretty flower. It embodies thousands of years of human relationship with the plant world, a relationship built on careful observation, experimentation, and reverence. The designation of “cooling” and “drying” isn’t arbitrary but reflects deep understanding of how this plant interacts with the human body.

As we face increasing health challenges in our modern world, perhaps it’s time to look backward to move forward—to reclaim the wisdom of herbalism while applying contemporary scientific rigor to validate and understand these traditional practices. Rose, with its perfect balance of beauty and medicine, gentleness and power, offers an ideal starting point for anyone curious about herbalism.

Whether you’re brewing a simple cup of rose tea, tending a rose bush in your garden, or simply pausing to appreciate the elegance of botanical art, you’re participating in an ancient tradition of healing. You’re acknowledging that nature—in all her wisdom—has provided us with medicine that not only heals our bodies but also nourishes our souls.

The next time you encounter a rose, whether in a garden, a bouquet, or an illustration like this one, take a moment to appreciate that you’re in the presence of one of humanity’s oldest plant allies—a cooling, drying, heart-opening gift that continues to offer its medicine to all who seek it.

Heritage Havens invites you to explore the wisdom of herbalism, one plant at a time. - Join The Biblical Herbalism Academy today.