Rose

Rosa from the family Rosaceae

Rose petals may be used, but only of the dark red varieties (r. gallica if possible). The petals must be picked before the flower comes to bloom and before damp has a chance to take hold.

Honey of Roses was a popular remedy for sore throats and mouth ulcers. To make Honey of Roses pound fresh petals with a small amount of boiling water, then filter the mass and boil the liquid with honey.

A confection can be made by beating dried rose petals with sugar (1:3 by weight) in a stone mortar. This was used in pill making for coughs.

The dried petals also make a delicious infusion that assists with painful or heavy menses.

Once the flower has bloomed and all the petals have fallen off, the hop is picked and used in a wide variety of preparations.

A single tablespoon of the pulp gives an adult more than the recommended daily allowance of 60mg of Vitamin C and so is often used to treat or prevent colds.

The fruit acids and pectin in rose hip tea is a mild diuretic and laxative. It is used to improve and relieve the symptoms of kidney disorders, or to help in the case of mild constipation. To make the tea simply pour a cup boiling water over a tablespoon of crushed, dried hips and let steep.

Native to Asia, Europe, North America and northwest Africa.