About Roses
Rose, the most beautiful flower, carries some important functional values. Rose is a perennial flower shrub, belongs to the Rosaceae family and is botanically named Rosa alba Linn. According to the variations in the species of the rose, the botanical name changes too. Roses are named differently in Indian languages like it is called Gulab in Hindi and Urdu, Golap or Sheuti in Bengali, Seboti in Gujarati, Gulap in Meitei, Satapatri, Suman, Sumana in Sanskrit.
As on today, Rose or Gulab perhaps is the most popular and sought after flower in India. It is known for its beauty and for its aroma as well. The ancient history has several evidences about the existence of the flower in India. According to the history, Emperor Shahjahan, the famed Mughal ruler of India, was symbolised with red rose. It is largely believed that this plant did not originate or existed in India and was introduced by Muslims for which many of the conservative Hindu priests do not allow this flower as part of offerings to deities. But the fact that there are references about this flower in ancient Indian texts as Satapatri or Suman was not only described as best offerings to Gods and deities but also as herb. This evidences that it existed in India during pre-Vedic period. Bhisma pitamaha in his deathbed in Mahabharata, advised Pandavas to offer this flower to Gods and deities being the best offering. While describing the beauty of ancient beauty Damayanti, her face was compared with rose. All these only establish that the flower existed in ancient India. Since ancient days rose was considered as herb with medicinal virtues. It has been elaborately discussed in various scripture like Samhitas and Nighuntas. It was considered bitter in taste, coolant at time astringent, expectorant and good for Pitta and Vayu. Unani treatment of medicine also supports these observations.
Apart from the Hindu mythology and scripture, the rose was considered sacred to a number of goddesses including Isis and Aphrodite, and is often used as a symbol of the Virgin Mary. Roses are bred by crossing old garden roses with more modern roses to achieve the superb fragrance, delicacy and charm of the old-style blooms combined with the repeat flowering characteristics and wide color range of modern roses. There are some places where roses are grown in extensive variety and colours. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra are states in India where roses are found in abundance and here roses are cultured with the application of latest fertilisers, plant foods and manures.
There are some basic groups or types of roses that include Shrub roses, Hybrid Tea and Grandiflora, Climbing roses and Floribunda roses. The records for different species of roses demonstrate that there are about 100 to 150 species for roses. But according to the botanists it`s more likely to be approximately 100 species. The species of roses include Alba Roses(old roses), Bourbon Roses(old roses), Canadian Roses(modern roses), Centifolia Roses(old roses), China Roses(old roses), Damask Roses(old roses), English Roses(modern roses), Floribunda Roses(modern roses), Gallica Roses(old roses), Grandiflora Roses(modern roses), Hybrid Musk Roses(modern roses), Hybrid Perpetual Roses(old roses), Hybrid Tea Roses(modern roses), Lady Banks Rose(climber), Landscape Roses(modern roses), Large-Flowered Climbing Roses(modern roses), Miniature Roses(modern roses), Moss Roses(old roses), Polyantha Roses(modern roses), Portland Rose(old rose), Rambler Roses(climber), Red leaf Rose(bush), Rugosa Rose, Shrub Roses(modern roses), Tree Roses(modern roses). Among them very popular species of roses are Cherokee Roses, Dog Roses, Gallic Roses, French Roses and Red leaf Roses and among the many old garden roses, the popular types include China, Tea, Moss, Damask, Bourbon, Hybrid and Perpetual roses. Modern Roses include Hybrid tea, Floribunda, and Grandiflora.
Some English varieties are extra vigorous in warm areas as very large shrubs and some may want to become semi-climbers. Old Garden roses are the predecessors of today`s English roses. Rose petals were used liberally in ancient civilisations by the wealthy at celebrations and rituals. Rose perfume was coveted by the very rich people of the middle ages. The composition of the rose flower includes essential oil, 1% ketone, a bitter principle, 23% tannin, fatty oil and organic acids. The essential oil of this species yields 45.51% centronellol and geraniol. Out of all types of roses the essential oil of this species is supposed to be the best having yield of around 0.05%. The red coloring matter consists of 9 to 10% cyanine, quecitrin and dye stuff. Pollen from the flower of this species contains 0.76 mg/100 gram of carotene, 1% sugar and 1.5% chlorogenic acid. Rosa centifolia Linn is a weak rose shrub, which does not develop fully. This yields less quantity of buds. Essential oil yield in this variety of rose is 0.011 to 0.43%, particularly those cultivated in Italy and France. Fresh flowers of Rosa indica Linn yields 0.013 to 0.15% essential oil. Composition of this essential oil is 22.10% stearoptenas, 16.36% phenethyl alcohol, 12.78% geraniol and 23.39% citronellol. Fruits of Rosa multiflora Thumb and Rosa polyantha Sieb & Zuce yield 9.4% fatty oil. Fruit pericarp yields phytosterol, quercetin, triterpenoid, beta-carotene and multiflorin, a flavinic glucoside having weak cathartic effects. These flowers also yield essential oil.
Rose is used in various purposes apart from its use in ceremonies and rituals. Rose is extensively used in making perfumes, essential oils, domestic products as well as some cosmetics products use roses as important ingredient. India prepares essential oil from rose in two ways and this has a good commercial value in the domestic market. According to global demand and for the purpose of need in domestic market for products of modern taste, essential oil of concentrated form need to be extracted by steam distillation as basic perfume. This product has demand as intermediate product as both perfume and flavor. The second way is to follow traditional route of water extraction to produce `Rose Water` popular in India traditionally used for flavoring food dishes and even drinking water. It is also used medically for washing eyes. Dhaka, now in Bangladesh, Lucknow and Kanauj both in Uttar Pradesh was traditionally known for production of quality Rose Water. The third product of identical in nature is production of Rose Attars, produced by distilling Rose Water. In this case too Kanauj is well known. Attars are used as perfume, room fresheners and various other purposes. Rose Water is added to various sweet dishes like `kheer`, `rabdi`, `barfi` and `sandesh`. It is also added to rice preparations like Biriyanis and fried rice. Rose petals are preserved and added to various sweet dishes too.
Moreover, another product made out of rose is `Gulkand` which is another famous product prepared by drying a homogenous mixture of crushed rose flowers and sugar. It is usually sun dried. This sweetened paste of rose is commercially popular in India. It is consumed as tonic, medicine for various ailments and as mouth fresheners. It is produced in mass scale in Rajasthan, particularly around Haldighati, where the famous war between Maharana Pratap and Emperor Akbar took place. `Gulkand` is popular almost all over India and now even branded `Gulkand` is available in the market. In addition to these, rose hips are sometimes considered of having vitamin C content. They are usually pressed and filtered to make rose-hip syrup, as the fine hairs surrounding the seeds are unpleasant to eat (resembling itching powder). They can also be used to make herbal tea, jam, jelly and marmalade. Rose perfumes are also made from attar of roses or rose oil, which is a mixture of volatile essential oils, obtained by steam-distilling the crushed petals of roses.
Rose is considered important of having immense value not only for its beauty but also for its usage in making cosmetics products and some other products that are used in making sweets and other culinary purposes. Apart from these, rose is extensively used for decorating purpose. It is one of the most important flowers to deck up the bride for the special day.
The beautiful flower rose are of different types and can speak many languages of relation. Different colours of roses represent different relations. Roses are of different colours that vary from red, yellow, White, pink, Dark Pink, Light Pink, Yellow with Red Tips, Orange, Burgundy, Blue, Green, Black and Purple. There are different types of roses that include Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas, Polyanthas, Miniatures, Shrubs, Wild Roses, Climbers, and Old Garden Roses.
The types of roses include Wild Roses that have been growing in the wild for hundreds of thousands of years and are popular among the people. Old garden roses were introduced before the year 1867 and Modern garden roses were introduced after year 1867 and afterwards. Within these three groups of different types of roses and rose classes, roses are further ramified considering their growth habits, foliage and flower forms. Wild roses, species roses, are the parents of and the origins of the Old Garden Roses and the Modern Garden Rose. There are various types of Old garden roses like Lady Banks, Rose de Rescht, Baronne Prevost, and Sombreuil.
There are different types of roses that are different in colour and are flourished in different times. There are a variety of Old Garden roses that include the types like Alba, Gallica , Damask, Centifolia or Provence, Moss, China roses, Portland roses, Bourbon, Noisette roses, Tea roses, Hybrid Perpetual roses, Hybrid Musk roses, Bermuda "Mystery" roses, Hybrid Rugosa. Apart from these Old Garden roses there are some other smaller classes like Scots, Sweet Brier; climbing classes of old roses like Ayrshire, Climbing China, Laevigata, Sempervirens, Boursault, Climbing Tea, and Climbing Bourbon can be named. Another type of rose is Modern Garden Roses that include Hybrid Tea roses, Polyantha, Floribunda, Grandiflora, Miniature roses like Meillandine. Other roses that are generally called Shrub roses include English or David Austin rose, Canadian Hardy Roses etc.
In India the roses are found in huge variety. There are some states that encourage floriculture and promote researches in the field. Some states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andra Pradesh and Maharastra. Bangalore is known for displaying roses of different colours and species found in India. Generally white, red, pink, yellow, orange, roses are found in India in abundance. Other colours like green, blue, black roses have little demand in the market and thus are cultivated in small acres.
Each type of rose speaks of a distinct relation. Red rose defines love; Pink rose defines grace, gentle feelings of love; roses of dark pink colours are used to show gratitude, light pink rose specifies admiration and sympathy. White rose connotes innocence, purity, secrecy, friendship, reverence and humility. Yellow roses generally mean dying love or platonic love. Yellow rose with red tips denotes friendship or falling in love, Orange roses denote passion, Burgundy rose implies beauty, Blue rose connotes mystery, Green rose is used to convey the sense of calmness, Black rose though is rare but entails slavish devotion because a true black rose is impossible to produce and Purple roses are the indication of protection that may come from paternal or maternal love.
Uses of Rose
Uses of rose are multifaceted and spread across different aspects like gardening, medicines, cosmetics, cooking etc. There is a saying that, "There may be many flowers in a man`s life, but there is only one rose. Rose is not only amongst the most beautiful and admired flowers with a number of uses, but also one of the most primitive flowers in subsistence. Rose has its numerous uses in manufacturing of perfumes, essential oils, rose water and other cosmetics. Rose fossil vestiges date back over thirty five million years. It was discovered in Colorado, North America, Europe and Asia. Apart from ordinary regular usages, roses have had their abundant usage in the medicinal sectors. The flowers are also used in culinary purposes. The petals of rose are also used to make herbal tea.
The history of the rose has led to it being used often as a symbol. In ancient Greece, the rose was associated with the goddess Aphrodite. In the Greek Epic “Iliadâ€, Aphrodite protects the body of Hector using the "immortal oil of the rose".
Medicinal Uses of Rose : The Romans formerly used the rose for medicinal purposes; myth has it that Cleopatra festooned her bed and floors with unsullied rose petals. Roses have diuretic effects as they contain Vitamin C, pectin, malic and citric acids. In addition to substantial proportions of vitamin C, the rose hips contain several other chemical amalgams that encompass 11% of pectin and 3% of a blend of Malic and Citric acids. According to the researchers it is the presence of malic acid and citric acid that contributes to the rose hips` laxative and diuretic effects. As a consequence, physicians frequently recommend the use of rose hips or preparations with it to treat constipation and urinary problems.
The flower bears the quality of both an aphrodisiac and an antidote to warfare drunkenness. Its effect in medicinal science proves that it clears toxins and heat from the body resulting in a cooling effect on the body. According to researchers, rose aroma increases brain power and helps sharpen the memory. The rose flower can relieve one from sore throat, runny nose and blocked bronchial tubes. Roses are useful in fighting chest infections. Rose petals relieve fluid retention and hasten the elimination of wastes through kidneys. The practitioners of naturopathy and herbal therapy believe that rose is a wonderful remedy for dysentery, diarrhea and gastro enteritis. As it is a laxative, it works as a remedy for all liver problems including sluggishness and constipation. It has also been said that roses help to cleanse the liver and gall bladder. Roses also promote bile flow.
Rose Petals in Tea : Rose Petal Tea is very useful and healthy. It grants relieve from pain and heavy menstruation in women. It is an excellent remedy for irregular menstruation and infertility. This tea has a calming effect on the nervous system and can relieve insomnia, depression and fatigue. It is also considered to be an effective cleanser and purifier. Rose hips also contain Carotenoid pigments, plant sterols, Tocotrienols and very high levels of Anthocyanins, Catechins and other Polyphenolics, known Phytochemicals to protect against cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The leaves as well as the petals of the rose plant grant a comforting effect and if ingested as a tea, can lessen body temperature during high fevers. The tea prepared with rose petals and leaves is also effective in removing heat from the body. Several researches have shown that the tea also possesses properties that increase the body`s immunity and help to restrict all kinds of infections from entering the body system.
Culinary Uses of Rose : Apart from having immense medicinal value, roses are used all over the world for culinary purposes. Rose hips have a tangy, fruity flavour similar to that of cranberries. The rose hips are used fresh, or are even dried and preserved. They can be used in apple sauce, soups and stews, syrups, puddings, marmalade, tarts, breads, and pie, or even made into a jam or jelly. In France, the use of rose syrup is much common. It is made from an extract of rose petals. In India, Rooh Afza, a concentrated drink made with roses, is popular, as are rose-flavoured desserts such as ice cream and kulfi. Rose creams are widely available and used in the UK. Rose petals are used in a variety of forms. The rose water is used to prepare sweets like Kheer, Rabri, Barfi, Sandesh etc. and is also added to preparations like Biriyani and Fried Rice. Rose petals are preserved and added to various sweet dishes too. Dried and crushed rose hips are also commonly used to make herbal teas. Rose hip tea may also be improved taste-wise, by blending with hibiscus flowers. In addition to producing oil, rose petals are commonly used in potpourris, and can be added to salads.
Ornamental Uses of Rose : The majority of roses are used to decorate gardens, rooms, and ceremony halls etc. They are used for such ornamental purposes owing to their aesthetic grandeur and breathtaking visual appeal. Usually roses are grown for attractive and scented foliage, ornamental thorns or for their ostentatious fruit. A few species and hybrids are grown for non-floral ornamental use. Ornamental roses have been cultivated since long ago, with the earliest known cultivation dating back to at least 500 BC in Mediterranean countries, Persia and China. While Greeks emblematized rose as the symbol of futuristic culture, rose in their territory was accredited as "Sub-rosa." Indians are influenced by the similar usage. The roots of the ornamental uses of rose can be traced back to Indian mythology. Long ago women in peacetime preferred wearing floral ornaments and rose being the most attractive flower was considered most suitable for it.
Uses of Rose in Cosmetics : Dried rose petals are used in the form of a face mask for attaining clear skin. Rose water and rose oil are also very useful for improving hair quality. They promote hair growth. Various lotions, creams and soaps are also made using various qualities of rose. Rose oil is very useful in aromatherapy as well. It also treats eye infections. Rose water treats dry skin, dermatitis, eczema, etc. It eliminates toxins from the skin, giving a natural glow all over. Rose hip seed oil is also very useful when used as skin products. It is also used in some makeup products.
Use of Rose in Fragrances : Flowers serve the purpose of preparation of perfumes and other scented products. The use of roses in the preparation of perfumes is generally credited to their natural aroma. According to researches, the aroma of the rose serves as a tranquilizer. The fragrance of rose can create a fresh and pure atmosphere creating a soothing effect. Actually, the most commonly used perfumes and scented products are made from roses.
