Benefits of Roses

Many people love to plant roses in their yards for their spectacular beauty and aroma. Few would question the popularity of the flower as a gift and space beautifier. Lovers have exchanged roses and used floriography, or language of flowers, for ages to send the right message. However, roses have other benefits as well.

Dietary Benefits

Rose hips form the seed pod of the rose plant. Rose hips are high in vitamin C, E, A, rutin and bioflavonoids, making them very healthy fare, according to Louise Tenney, master herbalist and author of "Today's Herbal Health." Some supplements include rose hips in the formulation process. You can cook the rose hip or eat it raw in salads or alone.

Pick the hips after the first frost. To prepare them for eating, wash the plant andtrim the blossom and stem ends off. Cut the pod in half and remove the seeds.

You can eat rose petals, too. They make a tasty addition to salads or brewed as tea. Spring Valley Roses also suggests using the petals to make a wine or jelly.

Medicinal Benefits

The rose hips and petals have been brewed into medicinal teas for hundreds of years. Father Kunsel, a Swiss herbalist, recommends rose hip tea to expel kidney stones, prevent infections, purify the blood and relieve colds. A rose infusion also can reduce fever, treat sore throats and diarrhea. Rose hip infusion can alleviate insomnia, depression and fatigue.

Aromatherapy

It takes about 2,000 pounds of rose petals to create 1 pound of rose oil. Manufacturers of essential oils use the damask rose, cabbage rose and Turkish Gallic rose to make essential oil The damask rose has the greatest therapeutic value. Used with a carrier oil, such as sesame or almond, rose oil has been used to reduce stress, alleviate depression and ease the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause when rubbed on the body.

Perfumes, soaps, massage oils and lotions may contain rose essential oils. Rose oil may also form the fragrance base for candles and other room fresheners. Essential rose oil is expensive, however, and some manufacturers prefer to use less expensively produced oils.

You can combine different kinds of rose petals and herbs to create your own rose potpourri. The Internet and craft books contain a variety of recipes for your use.

Flower Essences

Flower essences work on the emotional health of the user, bringing a gentle change and benefit. Flower essences also may change the physical health through work on the emotions.