Above: Wild Rose petals harvested last May.
This blog post is part of my 2021 Herbal Oil Blog Series and addresses Wild Rose, including how to make a Wild Rose-infused facial oil.
Wild Rose (Rosa multiflora)
It’s April, and here in the mid-Atlantic region of the US the early spring plants are popping, and their ephemeral blooms are intoxicating to eyes used to the browns and greys of winter’s bare branches. Soon, they will give way to the brief but beautiful late-spring blooms, Wild Rose included.
Last year was the first time I foraged Wild Rose, but I’ve been working with Rosa gallica (Apothecary Rose) and other variations for over 10 years. One day last May, I was walking my neighborhood on a windy day when a strong gust of air showered me with spiral of white petals and a wonderful perfumed scent. The usually thorny thickets were in full bloom, “with yes, Roses!” I recognized in delight, and, sending up a little prayer of gratitude I quickly left to retrieve my foraging basket. Wild Rose blooms for a brief 2-week period anytime from mid-May to mid-June, depending on the location, so it was a stroke of luck (or magic 😉) that I began working with Wild Rose medicine.
Wild Rose petals can certainly substitute for other Rose species, and any information in this post can equally apply to other types of Roses. Native to China, Japan, and Korea, Rosa multiflora is now naturalized in most temperate parts of the world. Because it is hardy and prolific, it’s very abundant, safe to harvest, and easy to identify. I collect the petals mostly, leaving the stamen so it can mature into a rose hip in the fall. The rose hips are tiny and therefore not as ideal as Rosa gallica and others for human foraging, but they are wonderful food for the birds and critters of the thicket.
Wild Rose is another example of seasonal medicine— its cooling and demulcent energies arrive at the beginning of summer. Taken internally and externally, Wild Rose is healing for mind, body, and soul.
Internal Use
Tea, tincture, glycerite, honey
Wild Rose is a delightful addition to a tea blend, and can be especially useful for mental, emotional, and physical imbalances of the heart.
As an antidepressant, it is beneficial for grief, heartbreak, and PTSD. For these conditions, my teacher Herbalist David Winston will use Rose petals with Mimosa bark and Hawthorn berries (as a tincture). Or, as a tea, I like to use Rose petals and Mimosa flower for this purpose. An important note: when using either of these formulas, those with PTSD should be in active counseling as it can encourage intense releases. Also, those with bipolar disorder should exclude the Mimosa bark.
As a nervine and nootropic, Rose calms anxiety and improves cognition and focus, respectively.
Rose is an aphrodisiac, and any gender can take it with Shatavari or Ashwagandha (traditional Ayurvedic pairs), or with Damiana to enhance mood and reproductive function and health.
As a mild cardiotonic, Rose petals can be useful for strengthening the heart when used in combination with stronger cardiotonics. Rose can also be used if one experiences chest tightness and palpitations due to stress and anxiety.
Rose petals are an incredible anti-inflammatory and vulnerary, especially externally, but can be helpful internally for inflammatory arthritis and healing the gut mucosa.
Dried petals can be infused in honey for 2 weeks for a delightful treat. Try combining Rose with Tulsi (Holy Basil) for a fragrant, sweet-spicy honey.
External Use
Infused oil, compress or poultice, honey, hydrosol, essential oil
Wild Rose petals have incredible vulnerary properties and are ideal for healing the skin. Externally, Rose petals are also cooling, demulcent, and have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
One of my absolute favorite things to make and use is Wild Rose-infused jojoba oil. This oil is ideal as a daily facial moisturizing serum for all skin types, and it is especially useful to hydrate and heal the skin during the summer. Plus, the hint of Rose fragrance as you apply the oil is a delight for the senses!
To make, follow the instructions in my Make Your Own Herbal Oils blog post, using jojoba oil as the base oil.
Along these same lines, a compress of Rose petal tea or a poultice of the crushed fresh or rehydrated petals can be applied to small cuts, scrapes, bites, stings, burns, sunburn, or hot rashes for cooling relief.
Rose hydrosol, solution left over from the distilling of Rose essential oil, is a treasured skincare toner. Spritz on the face prior to using moisturizer and keep the spray handy when outdoors on hot and sunny days for a burst of coolness whenever you need it.
Rose essential oil is one of the most expensive essential oils, and research indicates it is effective at relieving pain, depression, anxiety, and improving sexual function. From a sustainability point-of-view, Rose-infused oil, tincture, and tea can be used as an effective replacement of the essential oil.
An Eco-Note From Lynn:
As an eco-conscious Herbalist, I try to grow, locally source, or respectfully forage whatever herbs I can. In addition, a goal of mine is to make most of the tinctures in my dispensary when space permits in the future.
Want I don’t want to do is be a “UPS Herbalist” (thank you United Plant Savers for coining this term), AKA primarily relying on UPS shipments of herbs from across the country, most of which were originally grown across the world. This decision takes into consideration the packaging waste, carbon emissions from shipping, unknown growing/harvesting/drying standards, quality/age, working conditions, and more. Additionally, when I compare the Rose petals grown in Morocco and Calendula flowers grown in Egypt to what my own neighborhood and garden produces, the international stuff is put to shame time after time.
Free Wild Rose Info Card Download
Do you have a notebook or binder dedicated to herbs? Or a grimoire that you collect recipes and potions?
This free Wild Rose card sums up the information from this post onto a beautiful 5.5″ x 8.5″ card.
Sign up for my email list below and receive a Wild Rose info card as a high resolution PDF in your email instantly!
5 thoughts on “Wild Rose”