Everything You Need to Know About

Rose (Rosa spp.)

Botanical family: Rosaceae
Parts used: Flowers
Rose (Rosa spp.)

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Key Body Systems Rose (Rosa spp.) relates to

Rose (Rosa spp.)
Nervous system
Rose (Rosa spp.)
Digestive System
Rose (Rosa spp.)
Skin

Energetics

Rose (Rosa spp.)
Cooling
Rose (Rosa spp.)
Moistening

Key actions

Anti-inflammatory; Astringent; Relaxant; Antidepressant; Antispasmodic

Rose (Rosa spp.)

Key uses

Calming effect on nervous system; cooling and soothing properties in skincare; eases mild gastrointestinal discomfort.

Where to Find Rose (Rosa spp.)

Rose (Rosa spp.)

What it looks like and where to find it

You will of course be familiar with roses – they are among the most iconic and cherished plants, renowned for their beauty and fragrance. Botanically, they are deciduous shrubs with stems often armed with prickles (commonly mistaken for thorns) that serve as a defence against herbivores. The flowers, which range from single blooms with five petals to elaborate multi-petaled varieties, come in an array of colours including red, pink, white, and yellow. The petals are the part most frequently used in herbal medicine for their aromatic and therapeutic properties.

Rosehips, the fruit of the rose, are equally significant in herbal medicine. These small, round to oval fruits, usually red or orange, develop after the petals have fallen. They are packed with seeds and surrounded by a fleshy outer layer. Rosehips are particularly valued for their high vitamin content, especially vitamin C, and are used in syrups, teas, and tinctures.

Roses thrive in temperate regions across the globe, from Europe and Asia to North America. They prefer well-drained soil and grow best in areas with full sun exposure. The Rosaceae family is notable not only for its ornamental roses but also for its fruit-bearing relatives, such as apples, cherries, and strawberries, which share similar flower structures and growth habits.

These plants are often found in gardens, wild hedgerows, and even on mountainsides, adapting to a wide range of climates and soils, although they particularly favour cooler, temperate zones with rich, loamy soil. Whether cultivated or wild, the resilience and adaptability of roses make them a botanical treasure, as well as a staple in herbal medicine.

References

References

Achuthan, C.R., Babu, B.H., & Padikkala, J. (2003). Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Rosa damascena. Pharmaceutical Biology, 41(5), 357-361. https://doi.org/10.1076/phbi.41.5.357.15945

Bani, S., Hasanpour, S., Mousavi, Z., Mostafa Garehbaghi, P., & Gojazadeh, M. (2014). The effect of Rosa damascena extract on primary dysmenorrhea: A double-blind cross-over clinical trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 16(1), e14643. https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.14643

Boskabady, M.H., Shafei, M.N., Saberi, Z., & Amini, S. (2011). Pharmacological effects of Rosa damascena. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 14(4), 295–307. https://doi.org/10.22038/IJBMS.2011.5018

Brinker, F. (2010). Herbal contraindications and drug interactions (4th ed.). Eclectic Medical Publications.

Christensen, R., Bartels, E.M., Altman, R.D., Astrup, A., & Bliddal, H. (2008). Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? – A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 16(9), 965–972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2008.03.001

Hamdamian, S., Nazarpour, S., Simbar, M., Hajian, S., Mojab, F., & Talebi, A. (2018). Effects of aromatherapy with Rosa damascena on nulliparous women’s pain and anxiety of labour during first stage of labour. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 16(2), 120-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2018.02.005

McIntyre, A. (2019). The complete herbal tutor. Aeon. 

Oargă (Porumb), D. P., Cornea-Cipcigan, M., & Cordea, M. I. (2024). Unveiling the mechanisms for the development of rosehip-based dermatological products: An updated review. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15, Article 1390419. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1390419 

Phetcharat, L., Wongsuphasawat, K., & Winther, K. (2015). The effectiveness of a standardized rose hip powder, containing seeds and shells of Rosa canina, on cell longevity, skin wrinkles, moisture, and elasticity. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 10, 1849-56. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S90092

Sadraei, H., Asghari, G., & Emami, S. (2013). Effect of Rosa damascena Mill. flower extract on rat ileum. Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8(4), 277–284. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3757593

Yi, O., Jovel, E. M., Towers, G. H. N., Wahbe, T. R., & Cho, D. (2007). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of native Rosa sp. from British Columbia, Canada. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 58(3), 178–189. https://doi.org/10.1080/09637480601121318 

Wenzig, E.M., Widowitz, U., Kunert, O., Chrubasik, S., Bucar, F., Knauder, E., & Bauer, R. (2008). Phytochemical composition and in vitro pharmacological activity of two rose hip (Rosa canina L.) preparations. Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, 15(10), 826–835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2008.06.012