So there's a physiological reason why roses have been the ideal gift to express love
and forgiveness for thousands of years. They literally soothe the heart and emotions.
What may surprise you is that the rose also balances the mind. It enhances the
coordination between Sadhaka Pitta and Prana Vata (the subdosha of Vata dosha that governs
the brain, head, chest, respiration, sensory perception, and the mind).
Other properties are equally surprising. The rose is cooling, yet it enhances agni, the
digestive fire. This is a unique quality, which makes it balancing for all three doshas -
Vata, Pitta and Kapha - when used in moderate amounts.
These healing properties are not lost on modern researchers, who are investigating the
effect of the rose in balancing hormones and creating overall well-being. Essential rose
oils used in aromatherapy are also being investigated for their antibacterial,
antiinflammatory, and antihemorrhagic properties.
Traditional Uses of the Rose
Even though there are hundreds of varieties of wild and cultivated roses, it is only the
Rosa Centifolia that is used in Maharishi Ayurveda. The ayurvedic name for this particular
rose is shatapattri, which means 'a hundred petals', as does the Latin name Rosa
Centifolia.
In Maharishi Ayurveda, the rose is used in many Rasayanas, pre-eminent ayurvedic herbal
formulas that are stated to promote overall health and longevity. It is also used as rose
water. The essence of rose (rose aroma oil) appears in aromatherapy, and tonics are made
from mixing rose paste, water, and spices. Cold poultices with rose and sandalwood paste
are sometimes prescribed to cool mild burning.
The rose enhances beauty in many ways. Local applications (such as in creams and
poultices) cool, moisturize, and tone the skin. Massaging the body with rose and
sandalwood pastes enhances beauty. The essence of rose augments the glow and complexion of
the skin. The rose enlivens inner beauty, helps the skin to radiate inner glow out to
others, and enhances all seven dhatus (body tissues). When used over time, the essence of
rose pacifies the heat in the blood, and thus keeps imbalances in the skin from erupting.
There are some specific ailments that are said, in the texts, to be helped by the rose.
These include amenorrhea (absence of menstrual flow), inflamed eyes, dizziness, headache
due to Pitta aggravation, sore throat, enlarged tonsils, nervousness, grief, dullness of
the skin and acne caused by Pitta imbalances. For conditions such as these, of course, it
is recommended that you consult a physician trained in Maharishi Ayurveda to prescribe
appropriate treatments.
A traditional preparation using the rose is rose petal jam, made by cooking rose petals
and sugar. Eaten on its own, or made into a drink with milk or fresh yogurt and water,
rose petal jam has a cooling effect on mind and body.
Roses for the Skin
Maharishi Ayurveda incorporates the rose in traditional ayurvedic formulations for the
skin. The properties of the rose--cooling, moisturizing, and soothing--have a nourishing
effect on the skin when incorporated into cleansers or creams.
Pure rose water is ideal for facial toning, especially in summer. You can spritz your face
before or after your facial. It also helps moisturize the skin at bedtime, or before and
after exposure to the sun. With its pleasant aroma, rose water spray enhances the mood and
is cooling and toning. It pacifies Bhrajaka Pitta (the subdosha of Pitta that governs the
biochemical aspects of the skin). All of these factors together enhance the glow and
appearance of the skin.
So the next time you feel the overheated effects of summer-whether it's a slight feeling
of irritability, insatiable thirst, or just a lack of satisfaction-reach for the nearest
rose. You'll not only feel cooled, soothed, and nourished, but you might find yourself
dreaming sweet dreams of the heart as well.
About the author
Rama Kant Mishra is a world renowned ayurvedic expert. He comes from a family tradition of
Raj Vaidyas - physicians to the kings and queens of India - that can be traced back many
centuries. He is also intimately involved in researching the ancient ayurvedic texts and
has developed dozens of ayurvedic formulations based on this research. Rama Mishra is
currently Director of Research at Maharishi Ayurveda Products International, Inc. in
Colorado Springs, CO. For more information on Maharishi Ayurveda, visit http://www.mapi.com. Comments or questions for the author
may be e-mailed to info@all-veda.com.
|
Maharishi
Ayurveda places the rose at the pinnacle of the flower kingdom. The essence of roses
contains a large number of different biochemicals, making it the most complex of all
aromatic oils.
