There is ample proof that the rose family of flowers is very old; fossilized roses dating back about 30 million years have been discovered all over the United States. Its water was first used in the Middle East, but it is now grown all over the world.
There is proof that roses were utilized in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of illnesses. These medicinal applications include the treatment of digestive problems, menstrual bleeding, and chest and abdominal pains.
Roses were also used to ease coughing and to lessen inflammation in different parts of the body. There is proof that rose oil was once used to treat emotional symptoms like sadness, anxiety, and depression, as well as as a mild laxative.
Rose tea is fragrant, fruity and packed with vitamin C and antioxidants making it the ideal drink when your body needs a boost. Rose tea can benefit your body in any number of ways; it is great for the skin, can help you relax and being free of calories can even contribute towards your weight loss plan.
ROSE TEA BENEFITS
As well as its high vitamin C content, rose tea contains a large amount of polyphenols along with several other antioxidants like quercetin and ellagic acid. Polyphenols are natural antioxidants which are well known for their ability to repair cellular damage and protect the body against serious illnesses including heart disease, bone weakness and cancer.
1. Menstrual Pain
Rose tea has traditionally been drunk around the world to alleviate some of the symptoms of menstruation, in particular to ease painful cramping. Until fairly recently, there was no scientific evidence to support these claims but in 2005 a study conducted in Taiwan was able to confirm its effectiveness.
In adolescence, the painful symptoms of menstruation are also linked with significantly poorer academic and sporting performance and the aim of the study was to examine the effects of rose tea on both pain and the knock on psychological effects of menstruation.
The study which was conducted over 6 months on 130 adolescent females concluded that rose tea resulted in less menstrual pain and also less anxiety and distress. Researchers suggested that drinking rose tea was a simple, safe and effective treatment for the symptoms of menstruation.
2. Skin, Acne and Hair benefits
Rose petals are packed full of Vitamin C; indeed there are plenty of claims that one cup has the equivalent vitamin C content of 60 oranges. I cannot verify the truth of this claim but it is certain that rose tea is a very rich source of the vitamin and that vitamin C has well understood antioxidant qualities. It is better to get your vitamins from food where possible. Vitamins from food sources typically will be better absorbed and assimilated than via vitamins tablets or capsules.
Given our exposure to environmental free radicals and toxins, our skin needs all the help it can get. You do not need to spend a fortune on expensive cosmetic products when you can receive all the healthful, nutritious properties that your skin needs from a more natural source.
Drinking plenty of this delicious herbal tea can help stave off the signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging. Rose tea also supports the body’s immune system while promoting essential collagen production and we know that collagen is the protein most responsible for the health of your skin and your hair.
As well as maintaining your skin’s healthy appearance, rose petals contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can prove effective in treating skin conditions like acne. There is good reason why many commercial skin care products contain rose petal or rose hip extract and both rose water and rose essential oil have been used effectively to treat a variety of skin complaints.
3. Cures Sore Throat:
A warm cup of rose tea is an effective home cure for sore throat. Plus, its vitamin C content helps in fighting the infection in a better way, thus ensuring a faster relief from sore throat, runny nose, and cold.
4. Natural Stress Buster:
Drink rose petals tea to mellow down your stress levels after a long day. Yes! It has a positive impact on balancing the stress and emotional hormones by calming down your nervous system. The anti-depressant and tranquilizing properties enable it to be used as a sleep inducing drink too.
5. Maintains Urinary Tract Health:
Drinking 2 to 3 cups of this tea is known to cure infections affecting urinary tracts. The detoxifying nature put together with the diuretic properties of rose tea makes this feasible. Make sure you crush your rose petals before adding to the tea.
6. Helps To Lose Weight:
Make an infusion of crushed rose petals by adding it to a cup of boiling water. Strain and drink it twice a day as your in-between snacks to lose weight. A zero calorie drink akin to your green tea, it calms down your hunger pangs. Once you have your cravings under control, you can travel through your weight loss journey in an easier way.
7. Improves Digestive Powers:
The assorted organic acids present in rose petal tea are known to boost digestive power of the body. The stronger your digestive system is, the safer your gastrointestinal tract from diseases and infections is. It also helps in expelling the waste, thereby ensuring a healthy gut. It nourishes gastric mucosa, paving way for the growth of the good bacteria in your intestine.
8. Immune System Boost
The very high vitamin C content of rose tea makes it a wonderful natural boost for your immunity system. A strong immune system will help you to stay generally healthier and keep those annoying flus and colds at arm’s length so drink up and enjoy.
9. Constipation
Rose tea has been traditionally used for a very long time to treat constipation. It has gentle laxative properties and is a good natural choice for those battling with constipation.
10. It’s Caffeine-Free!
Since Rose Tea has no caffeine it’s safe to drink at any time of the day. If you have steady doses of coffee and black tea during the day switching to non-caffeinated tea like Rose tea at night is a good idea.
RECENT RESEARCH INTO ROSE TEA AND ROSA CENTIFOLIA
There have been some studies in recent years to examine the traditional health claims and investigate new potential benefits of Rose tea and other Rose extracts.
In general the studies support most of the claims and find even more potential benefits and uses.
POTENTIAL ANTI-MUTAGEN AND ANTI-CANCER AGENT
Anti-mutagenic compounds block mutagens. Mutagens increase mutations in genetic material. Some mutations can cause cancer–so blocking them can be beneficial.
A 2013 study examined petals from different Rose cultivars for anti-mutagenic properties. The found that “passion” cultivar had the most anti-mutagenic properties due to its high anthocyanin content.
The study also found that the anthocyanin content of the raw rose petal and rose petal tearemained stable. Meaning that heating via boiling water had no effect on the beneficial effects. So this is a case where we can clearly say the tea truly has a benefit. (2)
POTENTIAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOR ARTHRITIS
A 2015 study examined the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties of Rose Centifolia extract. The study used a liquid extract and tested inflammation on rats. The anti-inflammatory effect of Rose water was equivalent to the prescription NSAID Indomethacin(Indocin and Tivorbex).
The researchers concluded that Rosa Centifolia had potential as an anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory. (3)
POTENTIAL TO TREAT SCALP SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS
A 2014 Study compared a natural shampoo made with Rose petal extract and EGCG’s to ketoconazole and zinc-pyrithione shampoos. There were all tested for the treatment of Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis.
The Rose petal extract shampoo was found to be equivalent to both of the medicated treatments. (4) A home made equivalent might be Rose tea and Green tea shampoo (for EGCGs).
How To Make Homemade Rose Tea:
It is easy to make this tea. Add honey to flavor it up and use spices, such as cardamom, clove, and cinnamon to make the tea more palatable.
Ingredients:
- Fresh rose petals – 1 cup
- Water – 1.5 cups
- Honey – to taste
- Spices [optional] – to taste
How To Brew Rose Tea:
- Clean the rose petals and discard the white base or else you will find yourself drinking a bitter cup.
- Rinse rose petals again with clean water, pat dry using a towel, and keep aside.
- Place the saucepan filled with water on moderate to high heat.
- Allow the water to come to boiling point.
- Add the petals, let it boil for 3 seconds, lower and simmer for 5 minutes or until petals become dark.
- Strain the mixture into cups.
- Mix in powdered spices and honey, and give a quick mix.
Your cup to good health is now ready!
ROSE TEA SIDE EFFECTS
Rose tea is considered to be a safe drink and no adverse side effects have been reported. Despite its safety, some experts warn that you should limit the amount you drink to a maximum of 5 cups per day because consuming too much vitamin C can have certain adverse effects—like diarrhea. Drinking too much rose tea could potentially cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or headaches.
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16154059
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23627876
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26222375
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25473226