culinary, medicinal & skin care uses of wild rose
culinary
Fresh rose petals are beautiful and create a stunning decoration, especially suited to cakes, cupcakes and biscuits. Drying rose petals provides additional versatility, and they can be stored for long periods for use throughout the year. Add them to a jar of sugar and infuse for a few weeks to create delicious rose petal sugar for use in sweet dishes. Rose petals can also be added to fragrant spice blends with cinnamon, clove, ginger, coriander and cumin for adding to soups, stews, casseroles, and moroccan flavour tagines. A cordial syrup from rose petals or rose hips is delicious poured over puddings and desserts, or mixed with still or sparkling spring water (or champagne) for a refreshing drink.
medicinal / remedies
Rose petal tea helps reduce fevers, relieves cold and flu symptoms and supports the immune system. The tea also can help relieve diarrhoea, treat infections and reduce kidney and bladder inflammation. Rose hips are high in Vitamin C, and can be taken in a tincture or syrup as a tonic, while the syrup also soothes coughs and a sore throat. Macerated rose hip oil or balm is also beneficial in a blend to ease muscular aches and pains.
skin care
Rose is an anti-inflammatory, and rosewater from the petals calms and soothes red irritated and inflamed skin. Rosewater is also a gentle skin toner, or a diluted rose vinegar can be used to tone oily skin. Rose is particularly popular in skin care for dry and mature skin, and both the petals and hips can be macerated in a carrier oil or balm as a hydrating face moisturiser. For inspiration, read our Make Wild Rose Petal Vinegar blog post.
folklore
A traditional symbol of friendship and love, rose petal sachets make wonderful gifts, and were often included in incense blends for the home to bring peace and harmony. Called the Queen of the Flowers, rose meanings in the language of flowers differ according to the colour of the rose -white symbolising purity, pink for simplicity and elegance, and red for love and passion.
Important considerations & cautions:
Although botanicals (herbs, spices, plants) are considered safe for most people when used in cooking or in small amounts, inappropriate use of some of these botanicals could be dangerous. The content on this site shares our own personal use of botanical ingredients, is for information only, and should not be taken as medical advice. Prior to using any botanicals in recipes or remedies, you should always do your own research, and consult with a medical professional, your GP, or a qualified herbalist.
Although botanicals (herbs, spices, plants) are considered safe for most people when used in cooking or in small amounts, inappropriate use of some of these botanicals could be dangerous. The content on this site shares our own personal use of botanical ingredients, is for information only, and should not be taken as medical advice. Prior to using any botanicals in recipes or remedies, you should always do your own research, and consult with a medical professional, your GP, or a qualified herbalist.