An Overview of Plants: Rose
Name: Rose (Rosa genus, 150+ species)
Description: They come in a variety of colors and shapes, but they tend to have a similar scent across species. The most common colors tend to be white, red, and pink, though they also come in orange, yellow, and more. The flowers tend to be a cluster of petals around a center, and the petals tend to be pretty circular with an extended part where it is attached to the plant. The leaves are dark green and opposite each other on the stem, with toothed edges. The stem is stiff and thorny.
Cultivation: Grow them in a place with plenty of sun and well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist, and if they are well-fed then they will have better flowers. Plant them in spring after the last frost or in fall six weeks before the frost comes, and they grow well between spring and fall. They like loamy soil leaning towards sandy soil, and give them some distance from each other to avoid diseases among the plants. Keep the soil slightly acidic, and prune them in the spring to keep them tidy and healthy. Individual care details depend on the species, but watch for powdery mildew and black spot especially among them all.
Harvest: Harvest freshly opened flowers on a sunny and dry day, to avoid dew getting the flowers wet. Take flowers from where the sun is strongest, since those tend to be the better ones. When removing petals from the flowers, lay them out in a row immediately, because they can wilt very quickly when stored together. Lay them in mild sun with a way to hold them down (like a screen) to dry them, but store them in a shady place to help them keep their color as sunlight can remove it quickly.
Folklore: The early Greeks and Romans linked roses to love, beauty, purity, and passion through their stories and deities - mostly due to Aphrodite and Venus, and her lover Adonis. Eros and Psyche also play a role in that as well. Romans also associated the flowers with pain, suffering, and death, as Apollo turns a woman into a rose for trying to overthrow Diana. In Christianity, roses are associated with the blood of Christ. In England, roses that lose their petals when cut were a sign of bad luck coming. In Islamic traditions, roses are strongly associated with Heaven and several stories involve them determining guilt or innocence. In the Mediterranean region, roses are also known for their ability to purify, to protect against the evil eye, and protection. Each color of rose across the world has a specific association and meaning.
Magical Properties: The most well-known use for roses is in love spells. They can also be used to cause prophetic dreams, or to help with healing spells. Roses are also good for short-term luck spells, protection spells, and calming spells. They are also associated with working with entities.
Medicinal Properties: Consumed, they can help with combating infection and aiding in gut flora, as well as helping with upset stomachs. They can help mitigate the symptoms of insomnia, depression, irritation, and fatigue. Breathing in the scent stimulates the respiratory system to aid in decongestion, coughs, and sore throats. They also ease the pain of menstruation, as well as the other physical symptoms of menstruation. They can aid in reducing inflammation and UTIs, and are a great source of vitamins C, A, B, and K. The leaves can also help bring down fevers, and rose water can help clean the skin, clearing up acne and preventing infection and swelling. Rose hips are especially helpful for chest and breathing problems.
Recommended Amount: Traditionally, 2-5 grams of it was taken as tea 3-4 times a day. The petals and fruit can both be eaten, just use common sense and don’t go overboard.
Warnings: Avoid using when pregnant or breastfeeding. It can interact with some medications - especially anticoagulants. If you have a blood disorder or issues affected by vitamin C intake, then avoid them as well.
*This is a page from my grimoire. I am not a health professional, nor do I claim to be. This is just a compilation of information I’ve gathered from various sources I trust, and any medical decisions should be made by individuals with the help of a trained professional.
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