Roses: Not just for Valentine's Day
/Rose is the symbol often associated with love and romance , yet the flower has so much more to offer than just its signature scent and pretty petals.
Rose is a go-to herb at Hackney Herbal and something we talk about and use frequently in our tea blending and skincare workshops, as it has such valuable healing properties for the body, skin, mind and heart. It has been used since ancient times for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, and has always remained a source of precious natural perfume.
Today is Valentine’s Day and as roses are having a little moment in the limelight, we thought we’d cover just a few of the reasons this flower is so beneficial for health and wellbeing.
In a tea
Rose is a sedative herb, and can be useful if you struggle with feeling overwhelmed, anxious or find it difficult to get to sleep at night. We use it in our DREAM blend to help calm busy brains and bring on a sense of serenity. Rose is also one of the best natural spirit lifters out there; we pair it with lemon verbena and elderflower in our TLC blend.
It is also one of the best herbs to help with digestion and nausea, especially when paired with complimentary digestive tonics such as peppermint or fennel. It is also a nice tea for women to drink to aid menstrual pain and cramping, as well as balancing hormones and emotions.
In skincare
Rose has an incredible healing quality that all skin types can benefit from, especially mature, dry and sensitive complexions. The petals have been used for centuries all over the world in rose water to hydrate and replenish the skin after cleansing.
We often like to pair rose with other florals like geranium and chamomile for a super soothing skin treatment, but it also blends beautifully with woodier oils such as frankincense and sandalwood to relax and restore the body and mind, or help us fall into a peaceful slumber.
If you suffer from eczema, inflammation, rosacea or any other skin inflammation, rose is also a wonderful natural aid in reducing redness and discomfort. It is also a mild and safe ingredient for children and babies to use too, making it a great ingredient for household products to be used by all the family.
As a mood booster
The rich, floral scent of rose is comforting to the heart and nourishing for the soul in times of pain, sadness and grief. It can be diffused around the house, added to a warm bath or enjoyed as a natural perfume to soothe feelings of sadness, disappointment and loss. Or simply inhale the scent from a bouquet of roses for a feel-good factor.
Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day, whether you celebrate it or not. As far as we're concerned, every day is a day to celebrate love. The most significant (and life-long) relationship we encounter is the relationship we have with ourselves. Self-love, kindness and taking time to appreciate our minds and bodies means we can in turn be open and available to others and our environment, bringing us ultimately to a greater sense of happiness, connection and wellbeing!
If you’d like to join us this weekend, we’ll be making aromatherapy oils and mists at the studio this evening, and on Saturday you can join us at The Curtain Hotel in Shoreditch for some herbal tea blending.
