The Rose, More than just beautiful

Roses are one of the most commonly grown flowers in gardens. I have several myself and they are the focus of my landscape. I have always heard the old saying, "take time to stop and smell the roses" but did not fully understand its meaning until I began my studies in aromatherapy and natural healing.
The Rose is a universal symbol of love, friendship beauty and peace. Roses have been prized throughout history and all over the world for the sweet, soothing and healing nature of their scent.
The rose is also a symbol of achievement, completion and perfection. after having met the long stems with the thorns you are rewarded with a flower of great beauty and mesmerizing fragrance. In esoteric terms: after having overcome the tests and difficulties of life you will find inner harmony, union and happiness. The purity of the rose equalizes the bliss of paradise.

When it comes to love and relationships with yourself and others the rose indeed deserves a special place in our heart.

I can not possibly list all the healing attributes of the Rose, the list is just too long. But I can list some of the most common uses.

For the body rose is most closely linked to the reproductive system, skin and liver. It is used to ease the symptoms of cold sores, shingles, inflammed skin, irregular or painful menstruation, to balance hormones during menopause, endometriosis, insufficient bile production and during recovery from alcohol and niccotine addiction. It also regenerated skin cells making it useful in treating skin problems and general skin care.

For the mind rose is an effective aphrodisiac. It also helps deal with forgottten emotional wounds, repressed anger, envy, resentment, impatience, confusion, depression, loss of sexual drive, frustration, jealousy and nervous exhaustion. It is also known to awaken, inspire and brighten the heart, Enhances creativity, invokes appreciation of beauty and harmony, and relieves sadness and grief.

Have you ever given a rose to someone and asked yourself, which color should I choose? If so, then the list below should help answer that question for you.

Red--Symbolizes love, beauty, courage and respect.
Single Red--Says "I love you"
Burgundy--Symbolizes unconscious beauty
White--Symbolizes purity, innocense, and beauty.
Light Pink--Symbolizes appreciation, grace, admiration, and gentleness.
Dark Pink--Says "Thank You" and shows gratitude
Yellow--Symbolizes friendship, new beginnings, welcome home, and remember me.
Yellow with Red Tip--Says "Im Falling in Love"
Orange--Symbolizes desire, entusiasm and fascination.
Red and White given together--Symbolizes Unity
Peach--Says "lets get together" and symbolizes sincerity.
Lavender--Indicates "Love at first sight" or enchantment.
Black--Symbolizes death or farewell
Blue-- Indicates the unattainable or the impossible
Any color given as a single rose-- Symbolizes simplicity and gratitude

Aside from providing an aesthetic appeal, which contributes to the overall pleasure and feeling of well being, roses have a genuine practical use in our regimens of good health. Rose oil and rose water are derived from the flowers and rose hips have many valuable properties.
Rose water is used as an important ingredient in many body creams due to its pleasant fragrance. Rose water is also a very useful toner. Rose water also has certain antiseptic and anti bacterial properties. This is why is it useful to cure certain skin problems as well. Rose water is also popular due to its distinct flavor. Rose water is very expensive so here are the instructions for making your own.

Items Needed
Fresh Rose Petals ( 1-2 quarts)
Ice cubes
Distilled water
Enamel Canning Pot
Deep, heavy heatproof bowl
a flat rock or brick

Place the brick or rock in the center of the pan. Place the heatproof bowl on top of the brick. Fill the bottom of the pan (around the bowl and brick) with rose petals. Add enough distilled water to just cover the rose petals.
Cover the pot with its lid, but position the lid upside down so that you have a dipped container to hold the ice on top, the ice will be added later.
Turn on the heat and bring to a boil. Once the water begins to boil, fill the top of the inverted pot lid with ice cubes. Turn the heat down to allow just barely a simmer, simmer for about 2 hours adding ice as needed. (Occasionally check to make sure the petals have not boiled dry) This process enables condensation to form on the top inside of the pot lid. The condensation will drip down into the bowl inside the pot. The liquid inside the bowl is your rose water. It is best to store your rose water in an amber glass bottle.

Now that you have your very own rose water, lets put it to good use. Here are a couple of ideas.

ALMOND AND ROSE WATER BODY LOTION

1/4 cup of rose water
1/4 cup of glycerin
2 tbs witch hazel
1 tbs of almond oil
mix all the ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
Apply liberally to the skin for a soothing rose fragranced body lotion.

ROSE WATER SPRITZ

Simply store your rosewater in a spray top bottle for an uplifting, energizing spritz to be used when you need a pick me up.

Rosewater Meringues

3 egg whites
3/4 cup caster/fine sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons rosewater
Preheat the oven to cool - 140ºC/275ºF.
Beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Use a small metal bowl. Add the sugar gradually as you continue to beat the egg whites. Continue to beat until the mixture is stiff and shiny. Beat in the rosewater. Line a baking sheet/tray with baking paper. Use a teaspoon or tablespoon to place heaped spoonfuls on the sheet/tray. Place in the oven. Bake for one hour or until the meringues are firm and peel off the paper easily. Remove from oven. Peel off carefully and place on a cooling rack to cool. Serve. These are delicious as they are, or served with a coulis, fresh berries or whipped cream.

OLD GERMAN ROSE WATER SUGAR COOKIES

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. sour cream
1 1/2 tsp. rose water
1/8 tsp. salt
3 c. flour

Cream sugar and softened butter until smooth. Beat in yolk and flavorings. Combine baking soda and sour cream and stir into sugar mixture. Stir in rose water. Sift salt and flour; mix with batter. Roll out on floured surface and cut with cookie cutter. Bake on greased sheets in preheated 325 degree oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. Cooking time may shorten if cookies are small.

CANDIED ROSE PETALS

Rose petals
1 egg whites
1 tbsp. water
Granulated sugar

Pick petals from fully open roses early in the morning. Prepare the petals by pinching off the white section at the base of each petal. Mix egg white and water. Dip each petal and place convex side down to drain.
When drained but still damp, sprinkle both sides with granulated sugar. Shake off excess and dry on waxed paper for 12 hours. Store in covered container in refrigerator. Good for about a month.

Rose Petal Jam

1 lb. fresh rose petals
2 lbs. sugar
Water
1 lb. sugar
Juice of 1 lemon

1. Pack rose petals tightly in a large jar or crock with alternating layers of sugar.
2. Pour enough hot water into jar to cover the petals. Cover with damp cloth for 3 days.

3. Prepare a syrup using enough water to dissolve one pound of sugar before it boils.

4. Cook to soft ball stage.

5. Cook this syrup with the petals and their juices.

6. Let simmer until the mixture is about the consistency of honey. Remove from stove. Stir in lemon juice.

7. Pour into sterilized jars and seal. Makes 3 to 4 pints.

ROSE FROSTING

3 oz. cream cheese
2 1/2 c. sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. rose water
Almond or pistachio nuts, finely chopped

1. Cream cheese with milk, add sugar gradually, blending well.
2. Add rose water.

3. Spread on cake and sprinkle with nuts.

These two craft ideas are suprisingly simple to make. They are wonderful gifts and the perfect party favor at showers and weddings.

ROSE BATH DUST

1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup epsom salts
1/2 tsp rose water or fragrance oil

Put epsom salt in blender until it is a powdery consistency. This will take a little time. Once you have a fine powder, add the baking soda and rose water, blend some more. Store your bath powder in a glass salt shaker for easy use.

ROSE BATH SALTS

2 Cups Epsom Salts
liquid food coloring, your choice
Rose essential oil
fresh rose petals (optional)
a gallon ziploc style freezer bag

Add the epsom salts to the freezer bag. Add a couple of drops of the food coloring (I like pink for the rose salts) and about 10 drops of the rose essential oil. Seal the bag and shake until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. You may or may not want to add fresh rose petals at this time. I myself enjoy the added aroma and healing properties of the rose petals. You can now put the salts into silk bags, sealable plastic bags, glass jars or any other kind of container. Keep dry.