Ayurveda on roses !

[Guest guest]

Dear Sisters;

This is long and with detail beyond my ken, including many herbals.

But it also includes things I thought would interest ... it is an

article on ayurvedic uses for pitta problems with rose preparations,

which was posted this am on the ayurveda . I'm

sharing it in full here, also posting portions on the joygroup which

has been talking about many uses of rose oil including after

childbirth. - Martha

 

Message: 5

Thu, 23 Sep 2004 09:22:30 -0000

" Shirish Bhate " <shirishbhate

An ayurvedic elixir/cosmetic to fight Sept-Oct heat

 

In Septemeber October months problems driven by Pitta (heat related)

surface. Yesterday one member suggested a rose essential oil for

Anxiety suppression. That post has motivated this post. Often, it is

very difficult to obtain several herbs/pharmacy medicines in western

countries. This was another reason for this post.

 

Gulkand the Elixir in Heat/Pitta Problems

Gulkand, a general tonic of Ayurveda, is highly useful in problems

like Heavy menstrual discharge, white discharge in women. The

medicines for these problems are generally given with Gulkand.

Generally everyone likes rose flower, hence termed king of flowers.

It's aroma helps secretion of Oxytocin, the love harmone. Hence the

flower is associated with heart. It increases `Sadhak Pitta', the

constituent of the blood which strengthens heart, emotions, motherly

affection. IF you wish to communicate your love to someone, simply

offer a rose flower.

 

Rose petals are used in making `Gulkand'. In April-May, the flower

petals are collected, mixed with Sugar twice the weight of petals.

Dried in hot sun for 8-10 days or on low simmering heat, the Gulkand

becomes ready. In another year-round receipe, light pink colored

fresh leaves of the rose plant are raken and coarse crushed in a

grinder. Sugar about 1.5 to 2. times weight is taken. In a wide

mouthed glass jar, arrange the layers of rose leaves and sugar

alternately. Close the mouth of jar and keep it in sunlight daily 10

AM to 4 PM, for three to four weeks. The time varies depending on

sunlight availability, season etc. Gulkand becomes ready. One can add

silver foil, Praval Pishti, Cardamom seeds, Pearl Pishti

(Muktapishti) etc. to increase the cooling or pitta pacifying

properties.

 

Gulkand tries to balance all three doshas, Kafa, Pitta and Vata. It

helps in reducing swellings over the skin. For those who do not know

pulse reading, simply observe the color of the underclothes. If

slight yellowish tinge is seen, Pitta exists. For people with

yellowish foul smelling sweat from armpits, there exists a certain

dosha in blood. This gets corrected by Gulkand.

 

Nose-bleeding, hemorrage, vomitting of blood and or bitter-sour

pitta, excess menstrual discharge, frequent abortions etc are the

indications wherein Gulkand gives excellent cooling. The rose has

special properties. It is sweet, cool, pungent and yet slight

bitter. After digestion it produces sweet (Vipak) juice due to which

it shows very benificial effect on intestines, improving digestion

and metabolism. In many cases, when pimples arise due to heat in the

blood, the use of Gulknad removes the heat from the intestines. This

removes pimples and old blemishes.

 

Rose is easy to digest, due to its sweet, pungent and bitter tastes,

it has certain benificial effect as heart tonic. Its association with

heart is already mentioned. Its extract, when applied to eyes, gives

cooling and relaxation. When rose water (Gulabjal) is mixed with

sandalwood powder and applied as thin layer to skin, acts as

deodourizer and " fairness " cream. Instead of using deodourants in

modern cosmetics, it is necessary to adopt such natural cosmetics.

For children having worms in intestines, an ayurvedic

powder `Vidanga' or `Vavding' is mixed in Gulkand and given to

destroy the worms in a fortnight. Dose is 1 tsp twice a day for

fortnight.

 

Gulkand gives cool feeling to nerves. In todays world filled with

stress and strain at every point, it is a good tonic for central

nervous system as well as liver. It pacifies pitta in blood, reduces

constipation and strengthens all seven dhatus of the body, as per

Charak Sanhita.

 

Gulkand also helps reducing hyperacidity. The heat in the Gastro

canal, duodenum is removed by Gulkand. In swelling and ulcer of

intestines, the acidity shows up in blackish blemishes on forehead,

face, blackish circles around eyes, loss of hair etc. Gulkand proves

very benificial medicine in such circumstances. Some vaidyas and

pharmacies make Gulkand mixed with Praval Bhasma to increase its

cooling properties. In Nathdwara (Rajastan, India ) Gulkand is made

with honey instead of sugar.

 

Rose is termed " Shatpatri " in Sanskrit. If the powder of its leaves

is mixed with sandal wood powder, Agar, Isabgol, Khas powder, the

cooling properties of the mixture multiply. This mixture is termed

Shtaptradi Churna. It gives relaxation in old and chronic ailments of

intestines such as intestinal swellings, Irritable bowels syndrome.

This mixture has shown astonishing results in the beginning stages of

intestinal T.B., when used along with Panchmrut Parpati, another

classical formulation. Shatpatrradi Churnam reduces B.P., reduces

heat of stomach and intestines, promotes sleep. The dose quantity is

1 to 3 grams. Author uses rose petal powder to prepare Avipattikar

Churna, a mildest laxative powder for Pitta prakruti persons.

 

Traditional rose syrup termed `Gulabjal' and sold under the same

name, is frequently used in making health drink and served to guests.

When mixed with a pinch or two of clove powder and applied to

forehead, relives the migrane headache.

 

Acharya Bhavmishra terms rose as " Vrishya " meaning strengthening the

semen. When semen has less sperms or sperms are getting weakened due

to vaginal acidity, such couples will get benefits due to Gulkand,

eating rose flowers or drinking a " rose " drink commonly available in

Indian market. Rose is balancing all three doshas. Strengthens brain

cells. Cools mind. Being slightly " Veerechak " , helps piles patients

also. Diabetes patients often get pain in the bottom of feet and

palms. IN one case, Shatpatradi Churna cured this inflamation fully.

 

Dr Bhate