The Ayurveda Experience Blog
Stop and smell the roses isn’t just an old cliche, it’s actually good medicine. According to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian art and science of healthy living, roses have medicinal properties.
Enjoying roses can help to heal the heart, cool the body, and soothe the mind and the skin.
Roses For Healing
It’s no wonder we associate roses with love and romance. Just the sweet smell can crack open the gates to the most guarded heart. In technical Ayurvedic terms, we would say that roses balance Sadhaka Pitta and can allow for better communication between Sadhaka Pitta and Prana Vayu. But all you really need to know is that roses sooth emotional issues of the heart and allow for a processing and digestion of past hurts or grievances so that we can experience more joy in the present moment.
On a more physical level, roses cool the body and have an anti-inflammatory effect on the digestive system. Roses can be taken internally or applied to the skin for a soothing and moisturizing effect that can be a wonderful addition to your anti aging beauty routine.
If you haven’t been using roses in your health or beauty routines, summer is the perfect time to start as you may notice immediate positive effects in helping you to keep cool.
Ways To Use Roses
Some of my favorite ways to use roses are utilizing the dried petals or rose water. Rose essential oil and rose hydrosol are also widely available.
Topically, try rose water as a cooling spritz for face and neck anytime that you feel too hot. It can also be used as a toner. In addition, add rose water and some dried rose petals to your bath. It feels very luxurious and creates a fragrant, rejuvenating experience that lingers on the skin for hours.
Ingesting roses can be easy and delicious. Add a small handful of dried rose petals to a small handful of hibiscus. This makes an excellent tea for hot summer afternoons.
Add a dash of food grade rose water to a glass of sparkling water for a refreshing bubbly drink. You could even garish it with a rose petal or two for a more festive occasion.
There is also an organic Rose Petal Spread by Maharishi Ayurveda that is nicknamed ‘love in a jar’. You can mix a spoonful into a warm beverage, spread it on toast or eat it right off of the spoon.
Try incorporating roses however you feel drawn. You will soon feel like roses are a staple in both the kitchen and bath that brings you feelings of abundance and bliss. Enjoy and indulge.
