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Alternative medicine: Rose
Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:49:38
By Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran
Rose oil is widely used in skin care products because it helps moisturize the skin, reduce facial
wrinkles and soothe sun-damaged skin.
Family: N.O. Rosaceae
Habitat:
There are more than a hundred rose species found mostly in temperate regions.
Description:
Rose is a flowering shrub reaching 2-5 meters in height. Most roses have five-petaled flowers
with berry-like fruits called rose hips.
Part Used Medicinally:
Rose hips, petals and leaves
Constituents:
Roses contain volatile oil, tannins and vitamins B, C, E and K.
Rose hips are an excellent source of vitamins A, B3, C, D and E. They also contain
bioflavonoids, citric acid, flavonoids, fructose, malic acid, tannins and zinc.
Medicinal Uses:
Rose has tonic, mild sedative, anti-depressant and antiseptic properties. It also has a
soothing effect on the nerves and emotional state.
Rose is used in the treatment of stress conditions, such as nervous tension, peptic ulcers and
heart disease.
Rose can soothe irritated skin. It has tonic and astringent effects on skin capillaries and
therefore used to treat congestion.
Rose essence helps digestion, bile secretion and circulation.
Rose oil and rose water are used for aromatherapy.
Rose oil is well-known for its relaxing properties, and is often used for massage.
It is also used as a toner and skin re-hydrator for seasonal dryness. Due to its high
absorption level it restores skin moisture balance and softness.
Rose oil's high trans-retinoic acid content makes it an effective remedy for regenerating
damaged skin tissue.
Rose hip oil also reduces surgical and traumatic scars; it helps eliminate hyperpigmented
spots and lessens wrinkles.
http://www.presstv.com/pop/print.aspx?id=41397 3/17/2008