The Lovely Rose

"Take Time to Smell the Roses” is an old reminder that we need to slow down and appreciate Life. Sometimes easier said than done, but something we should really strive for every day…  

... A little barefoot walk in your garden after work. Just to say “Hello!” to your plants.

... Lingering at the dinner table to chat with your family before tackling the dishes. 

... Those little self-care rituals at the end of the day that are meant to bring peace, not to tell you that you need to do more to look younger.

Roses are one of those plants and scents that I am drawn to from time to time.  One of my very old pink rose bushes that gets shaded from my neighbor’s Trumpet Vine managed to bloom this year, while my white rose bush hasn’t bloomed since I pruned her heavily last month. I just found out that Roses need to be watered frequently and should be fertilized after each bloom: so, I guess my feral gardening style of leaving them alone isn’t working for these two? I desire to be a better Plant Mom, and am thus paying more attention to my roses.

Since I’m playing in the garden with Rose, I of course feel inspired to play with Rose in my herbal lab too. Rose is uplifting and calming when you smell it, but there is more to Rose than just how pretty they look and how nice they smell.

Table 1 from Beneficial medicinal effects and material applications of rose.

Rose offers phytonutrients (plant chemicals) that can be used internally or externally.  In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Rose is believed to regulate Qi (Life Energy). A few characteristics of Rose:

• Antioxidants - Antioxidants neutralize unstable free radicals that could damage DNA and disrupt other processes in our bodies. The type and quantity of antioxidants varies from one rose cultivar to another.
  • Carotenoids (fat-soluble) – vibrant yellow & orange colored
  • Vitamins C, E, and A
  • Flavonoids (water soluble) – vibrant red to purple colored
• Anti-inflammatory – Inflammation is a natural defense mechanism to repair tissue and fight infection, but when it goes too far, inflammation can damage tissue. Rose
  • Flavonoids (water soluble) – vibrant red to purple colored
  • Terpenes – The volatile scent of Rose is mainly due to Terpenes
  • Glycosids –
• Regardless of the temperature of your tea, Rose is cooling.
• Taste is floral, salty, sour, somewhat citrusy.
• Rose is Astringent.  Astringents don’t work to dry, they work to tighten loose, leaky tissues.

We have three (4) Rose petal infused products in the works presently:

Tickety-Tock Herbal Tea – Your heart is like a clock, keeping time. This herbal tea is intended to help tone and support the heart so that it can keep ticking on.  Holy Basil, Rose, Hibiscus, and Hawthorn Berry, Leaf, and Flower.  This tea is quite tasty, and is excellent as a hot or cold infusion.

Rose, Aloe and Pumice Soap - Rose infused oil is paired with aloe vera and fine pumice, creating a lovely soap that is gentle, soothing and mildly exfoliating. A lovely way to clean your beautiful face!

Acne Go-Go - An astringent herbal spot treatment for acne when you are on the go-go!  Rose is astringent and soothing in this formula. Packaged in a small roller ball bottle that can be tucked discreetly into a pocket: effective, natural, and ready when you need it.

Let’s Be Clear Face Lotion - We used our Acne Go-Go astringent for the base, then added Calendula, Yarrow, and Rose infused Jojoba Oil.  We also added a bit of non-nano Zinc Oxide for sun protection.  Rose infused Witch Hazel and Oils in this one!

Rose Herb & Sugar Scrub - Rose infused oil and fine sugar... so lovely for exfoliating your skin!  We suggest using our Herb & Sugar Scrubs on dry skin, then rinsing off. This maximizes the effectiveness of the exfoliation while moisturizing your skin. Plus, it reduces the waste and the mess! Who doesn't love that?!

What else can you do with Roses?

• Make Potpourri with dried flower petals. Place them in a pretty dish thrifted from a local shop.
• Let the flowers stay on the plant. In the fall, collect the Rose Hips (the Rose fruit!) for a Vitamin C packed nugget that can be ground up and added to foods and drinks.
• Make Sachets or Dream Pillows from the flower petals.
• Make your own Rose Oil.  Don't use roses from the supermarket though, as those are typically heavily sprayed and are just Eye Candy. 

 Your turn to stop and smell the roses! Enjoy!

 Sources and Further Reading

Beneficial medicinal effects and material applications of rose.  Hsiuying Wang.  Heliyon. 2023 Dec 10;10(1):e23530. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23530

Patil, S.A., Pagariya, M.C., Kulkarni, A.J. et al. Phytochemical insights and antioxidant capabilities of rose cultivars: implications for traditional medicine and modern industry. Discov Agric 3, 23 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-025-00171-1

What are the phytochemicals in roses? 2025-1103. https://wellnd.com/what-are-the-phytochemicals-in-roses

Herbs are allies for supporting your health. This website and content are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.