* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Dark Ages pervaded and the economic and agricultural systems that stemmed from the Romans crumbled. Most of the aesthetic gardens in the Roman colonies went to seed leaving only those that provided food, such as vegetables and orchards. Ironically it was during the Dark Ages that the science of herbal medicine made great strides and the unique trustee of ancient Roman and Greek scholars' knowledge was the Catholic Church.
This was the time when monks pioneered agriculture. Each monastery had its own orchard, vegetable garden and a hortus conclusus, or closed garden. The closed garden was used to grow herbs that were both spiritual and curative. Lilies and roses formerly woven into the wreaths of the Roman gods Isis and Aphrodite were now used to worship the Madonna.
The importance of these gardens was such that around the year 800, the emperor Charlemagne sent each of his intendants a list of those plants that were to be cultivated in his empire. The document was known as De Capitularis and of the ninety plants listed the iris and rose were first and second respectively, followed by several other commonly know herbs such as sage, rosemary, cumin, mint, mallow and coriander. They often conferred taste and color to foods and perhaps most important, they preserved foods and masked the taste and odor of overaged meats.
During the 1100's the Crusades came upon the Italian town of Salerno which was the site of a renowned medical school founded by four doctors, an Arab, a Roman, a Greek, and a Jew each of whom was appointed the guardian of the secular knowledge of their people. These men were recognized as true masters and their teachings would influence European medicine for centuries to come.
Rose - General Information
Rose water is an age-old ingredient in cooking, especially in Middle Eastern sweets. The rose hips, which have a higher vitamin C content than citrus fruit, are used for wines, cordials, and syrups. The essential oil "attar of roses" is a classic for cosmetics. The rose has been valued throughout history for medicinal use.
History
The Apothecary's rose, Rosa gallica var. officinalis, is probably the oldest garden rose in history. The Crusaders brought it from Damascus to Gaul in the thirteenth century. The name "rose" is thought to come from the Greek roden or red after this rose, which, according to myth, sprung from the blood of Adonis. R. x damascena, came from Persia in the fourtheenth century by the same route. Chaucer knew the sweet briar or eglantine, R. eglanteria. The humble dog rose, R. canina, the wild rose of English hedgerows, has the best hips for culinary use.
Characteristics
Roses are hardy deciduous shrubs. R. gallica var. officinalis has a neat bushy habit growing up to 36 inches, leathery leaves, and highly fragrant, semi-double pink to red flowers. Rosa x damascena has arching prickly stems, grows up to 7 feet and produces clusters of semi-double fragrant pink flowers. Rosa eglanteria is a vigorous and prickly rose with apple-scented leaves and single cup-shaped rose pink flowers, growing to 8 feet. Rosa canina is a wild and arching climber up to 10 feet with scented single flowers.
Growing Tips
Except for Rosa eglanteria which thrives in dry chalky soil, plant in fertile, neutral to acid, moist soil in sun. If you buy a bare-rooted plant in winter, prune back almost to the ground. After that prune out dead, weak or damaged wood in autumn. Feed in summer.
How to Use
Although this is the rose from which traditionally pure rose oil is extracted, the petals from strongly scented garden roses can be used to make rosewater infusions for a range of skin preparations. The powerfully floral essential oil is used in healing and rejuvenating cosmetics, bath and massage oils, and shampoos. Geranoil, the chief constituent of attar of Roses, is also present in lavender, pelargoniums, lemongrass and neroli.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: To prepare as an infusion, use 1 teaspoon (for a stronger infusion use 2 teaspoons) per cup of tea (about 8 ounces). put into your teapot and add boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes and then pour.
Label Information
Shipping Port: Naples
Altitude: below 1000 feet
Cup Characteristics: Light floral notes and pleasant lingering finish
Infusion: Tending light pink with light rosy notes
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
