Ayurveda Article - Beauty And Bliss With Roses For Everyone

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THE AYURVEDIC VIEW ON ROSES AND HEALTH:

 

BALANCE, BEAUTY AND BLISS WITH ROSES

 

Through the ages, roses have symbolized passion and romance in many

cultures. The rose has been grown not only for its unsurpassed beauty

and delicious fragrance, it is considered to have therapeutic values

as well.

 

According to the ayurvedic texts, it is not a coincidence that the

rose is associated with romance, because it balances Sadhaka Pitta,

the subdosha of Pitta that governs the emotions and their effect on

the heart. Sadhaka Pitta can go out of balance more easily in summer,

when the hot, humid weather increases all aspects of Pitta dosha, the

mind-body operator that governs heat, digestion, and metabolism in

the body. So there's a physiological reason that roses have been the

ideal gift to express love and forgiveness for thousands of years.

They literally soothe the heart and emotions. What may surprise you

is that the rose also balances the mind. It enhances the coordination

between Sadhaka Pitta and Prana Vata (the subdosha of Vata that

governs the brain, head, chest, respiration, sensory perception, and

the mind). Other properties are equally surprising. "The rose is

cooling, yet it enhances agni, the digestive fire," says Vaidya Rama

Kant Mishra, ayurvedic expert. "This is a unique quality which makes

it balancing for all three doshas." These medicinal properties are

not lost on modern researchers, who are investigating the effect of

the rose in balancing hormones and creating overall well-being.

Essential rose oils used in aroma therapy are also being investigated

for their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic

properties.

 

Traditional Uses of the Rose

 

Even though there are hundreds of varieties of wild and cultivated

roses, it is only the Rosa Centifolia that is used in Maharishi

Ayurveda. "The ayurvedic name for this particular rose is

shatapattri, meaning 'a hundred petals,' and the Latin name is Rosa

Centifolia, which also means 'a hundred petals,'" says Vaidya Mishra.

In Maharishi Ayurveda, the rose is used in many Rasayanas, the herbal

formulas that promote overall health and longevity. It is also used

in rose water. The essence of rose appears in aroma therapy, and

tonics are made from mixing rose paste, water, and spices. Cold

poultices with rose and sandalwood paste are sometimes prescribed to

cool any burning. The rose enhances beauty in many ways. Local

applications (such as in creams and poultices) cool, moisturize, and

tone the skin. Massaging the body with rose and sandalwood sachets

enhances beauty. The essence of rose augments the glow and complexion

of the skin. "The rose enlivens inner beauty, helps the skin to

radiate inner glow out to others, and enhances all seven dhatus (body

tissues)," says Vaidya Mishra. "When used over time, the essence of

rose pacifies the heat in the blood, and thus keeps imbalances in the

skin from erupting." There are some specific ailments that are helped

by the rose. These include amenorrhea (absence of menstrual flow),

inflamed eyes, dizziness, headache due to Pitta aggravation, sore

throat, enlarged tonsils, nervousness, grief, dullness of the skin

and acne caused by Pitta imbalances. For these conditions, it's best

to rely on a physician trained in Maharishi Ayurveda to prescribe

treatments.

 

Love in A Jar

 

One traditional preparation of the rose is found in Rose Petal

Preserve. Rose Petal Preserve contains dozens and dozens of dried

rose petals, making it a concentrated, potent means for balancing the

emotions. The recipe for this delightful confection can be traced

back to a time when royalty gave jars of Rose Petal Preserve to their

beloved if they wanted to inspire unconditional love. Later, the

tradition evolved into our present-day habit of giving roses on

Valentine's Day or just to say "I love you." Rose Petal Preserve

actually acts as a powerful tonic for the heart. By balancing Sadhaka

Pitta, it enhances positive emotions, and intensifies the experience

of happiness and bliss. "I call it 'Love in a Jar,'" says Vaidya

Mishra, "because even if you are angry at someone, you can take a

teaspoon of Rose Petal Preserve, and it will help you to start

thinking more loving thoughts." Vaidya Mishra notices this in his

interaction with persons on adopting Maharishi Ayurveda diet and

lifestyle recommendations for better health and well-being. "When I

come across a person who is feeling emotionally insecure, a little

suspicious or sad for no reason, I recommend that the person take 1-2

teaspoons of Rose Petal Preserve before thinking more about the

problem. This immediately pacifies Sadhaka Pitta and right away the

person starts to think more positively." If you have a mild Sadhaka

Pitta imbalance, or just to cool your body in summer, you can carry

rose oil in an aroma locket. Rose Petal Preserve can also be added to

milk or can be added to sweet lassi to make a delicious summertime

drink.

 

Try these recipes :

 

Sweet Rose Petal Lassi

3 parts water

1 part freshly made yogurt

1 heaping tsp. Rose Petal Preserve

Blend together for a soothing summer drink, or to pacify Pitta all

year round.

 

Rose Petal Milk

1 cup milk

1 tsp. Rose Petal Preserve

Be sure to boil the milk and let it cool before adding the conserve.

Boiling the milk makes it more digestible, but if it's too hot when

you add the conserve, it will destroy the rose's delicate properties.

You can drink this before bed to help balance Sadhaka Pitta and

produce a more restful, sweeter, deeper sleep.

 

Rose Petal Thirst Quencher

If you are feeling the effects of the hot summer sun, have to skip a

meal for some reason, or naturally have Pitta dosha predominating, it

can be challenging to keep cool. Any time you feel extra thirsty and

dry-mouthed, even when you keep drinking water, try this summer

thirst quencher.

2 cups milk

1/2 tsp. fennel

1 pod cardamom seeds (crushed but not powdered)

1 small piece of licorice root

1 Tbsp. Rose Petal Conserve

Boil milk and other ingredients, except the conserve, for five

minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Mix in one tablespoon of Rose

Petal Conserve. Sip the milk throughout the day. If you are lactose

insensitive, you can use water instead of milk.

The Rose Petal Thirst Quencher is inexpensive and simple to make, but

it has many benefits. "It works quickly, because you inhale the aroma

of the rose as you drink it, injecting every cell of your body with

rose essence," says Vaidya Mishra. "It can also soothe hyperacidity."

It's a good drink to sip before going to bed in summer, or any time

Sadhaka Pitta is out of balance, which can cause you to toss, turn,

and wake up before you are fully rested. "Anyone who is feeling

irritated all the time could benefit from this drink," says Vaidya

Mishra. "They could drink it twice a day. This mixture can also

support memory, because it enhances the coordination between heart

and mind and nourishes the mind with its pleasant flavor and aroma.

So it's a healthy drink for people of all ages, from children to the

elderly." For women, sipping this drink before and during

menstruation can help stabilize the emotions. It also has a long-term

effect, because the Rose Petal Preserve enlivens all the body tissues

by enlivening the cell-regeneration process, and especially

regenerates the reproductive (shukra) tissues. Finally, because the

rose is one of the best sources for water soluble fiber, Rose Petal

Preserve and any of the drinks that contain it help cleanse the

intestines and alleviate constipation.

 

Roses for the Skin

 

Maharishi Ayurveda incorporates the rose in other traditional

ayurvedic formulations for the skin. The properties of the rose --

cooling, moisturizing, and soothing -- create a nourishing effect on

the skin. Pure Rose Water is ideal for facial toning, especially in

summer. You can spritz your face before or after your facial. It also

helps moisturize the skin at bedtime, or before and after exposure to

the sun. "With its pleasant aroma, Rose Water spray enhances mood and

is cooling and toning," says Vaidya Mishra. "It pacifies Ranjaka

Pitta (the subdosha of Pitta that governs liver function and the

color of the blood). All of these factors together enhance the glow

and appearance of the skin."

So the next time you feel the overheated effects of summer -- whether

it's a slight feeling of irritability, insatiable thirst, or just a

lack of satisfaction-reach for the nearest rose. You'll not only feel

cooled, soothed, and nourished, but you might find yourself dreaming

sweet dreams of the heart as well.

 

 

Note : This ayurvedic information is educational and is not intended

to replace standard medical care or advice.

Copyright MAPI, 2002.

 

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