Rose is a long-lasting flowering plant from the Rosacea family. There are over a hundred species and thousands of varieties produced by selection based breeding method. Its branches are thorny. Its flamboyant flowers vary in size and shape, and their colors are usually in countless shades of white, yellow, and red. Roses have acquired cultural significance in many societies. Most species are native to Asia, with smaller numbers native to Europe, North America, and northwestern Africa. According to fossil evidence, it has been making our world beautiful for thirty-five million years.
Most types of roses usually have five petals. Each petal is divided into two lobes, and several are yellow or red, but are usually white or pink. Its seeds are usually red, but several species (eg Rosa pimpinellifolia) have dark purple to black seeds.
As we know, roses have thorns and these are usually sickle-shaped hooks. It is one of the powerful features of this rose. It can be applied to other plants or surrounding walls, fences, etc. They help them climb by clinging to objects. There are also some species such as Rosa rugosa and Rosa pimpinellifolia, which have more dense sorted thorns, which gives them an advantage to prevent being eaten by animals! In addition, the frequent thorny branch structure of these roses helps to catch the sand blown away by wind, reducing erosion and protecting its roots. They both grow on the coastal dunes.
As an ornamental plant, roses can be grown in gardens or indoors for their flowers. It also has some medical uses. Rosa Çinensis has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. These and other types of roses are still used today for stomach problems, and their preventive effect on the progression of other diseases is still being investigated.
Roses are also used in perfume production and as cut flowers in homes. Ornamental roses grown for their flowers are usually hybrids. In Mediterranean countries, Iran and China, BC. It is grown from 500 to the present day. Thousands of rose hybrids have been produced as the flowers are very showy and fragrant.
The charm of the rose has shown itself throughout history. Did you know that at the beginning of the 19th century, Empress Joseph of France undertook the cultivation of roses in the gardens of Malmaison? Established in 1840 by the Loddiges nursery, the rosary is an enormous collection for Abney Park Cemetery, an early Victorian burial garden and arboretum in England.
Roses cut while they are in the form of a bud are kept in a chilled environment until they are displayed at the sales points. In warm countries, plants are grown under cover, otherwise their flowers may be damaged by weather conditions or the control of pests and diseases may not be effective. Some of the roses produced in tropical countries and sent to world markets are artificially colored using dyed water.
Rose water is used in kitchens, cosmetics, pharmaceutical industry and some religious practices. It was first produced in Iran, but later spread to Arab countries and India, and more recently to eastern Europe. Perfumes are made with rose oil, a mixture of essential oils obtained by steam distillation of crushed rose petals. Rose oil is transparent pale yellow or yellow-gray color. Pure oil has a darker yellow to orange color. An interesting point is that the weight of the oil obtained is about one-third to one-sixth of the weight of the flower. For example, about two thousand flowers are required to produce one gram of oil.
Roses are a popular subject and object in art. They took part in portraits, illustrations, stamps, decorations, sculptures, or various architectural elements. Luxembourg-born Belgian artist and botanist Pierre-Joseph Redouté is known for his highly detailed watercolor flower, especially rose paintings. Henri Fantin-Latour, the efficient painter of the still life, became famous for his rose paintings. So much so that today “Rose of Fantin-Latour” bears the name of the artist. Impressionists such as Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir also used roses in their paintings.
Rose was a symbol that was also respected in the pre-Christian times and symbolized the devotion to the goddess Venus in ancient Rome. Following the Christianization of Rome under the reign of Emperor Constantine, the rose became identified with the Virgin Mary. The rose symbol eventually led to the appearance of the prayer of rosary and other dedicated prayers in Christianity.
English poet, playwright, and actor William Shakespeare dramatized the “Tudor rose” of the Tudor dynasty, combining both white and red roses, in the Richard III game. The white rose became a symbol of a resistance group against violence in Germany during World War II. Catalans in the north east of Spain count Saint George (Sant Jordi) as the protector of the Catalonia region. They celebrate it on the day they remember him as “dia dels enamorats”, that is, “valentine’s day”, and give each other blood-red roses. In 1986, the rose was considered the national flower emblem of America. In Mexico, Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, is called “Ciudad de las Rosas”, that is, the “City of Roses”.
There are countless benefits as well as the story of the rose. Let’s mention some of them. Rose water has a diarrhea effect. It is good for sore and tonsil pain and clears inflammation.
It is stated that rose is a natural germicidal. The rose, consumed in the form of tea by boiling its leaves, has the benefit of relieving the intestines. After boiling the tea obtained from the leaves by boiling, it is applied to the eye with cotton and it is good for the blood problem and eye cold.
It is stated that wrinkles around the eyes decrease as a result of applying rose oil around the eyes. After the leaves of the rose are kept in water for 5-6 hours, it is possible to get sunlight for 1 week, and gargling with this water improves mouth sores. Rosewood gargle shows a feature that is good for toothache. Applying rose water or rose oil to the skin helps to tighten the skin, remove wrinkles and revitalize the skin.
It is stated that putting the cloth dipped in rose water on the forehead is effective in relieving headaches. It is stated that boiling 40 grams of rose leaf in 1 liter of water and drinking a cup during the day is good for nausea and relieves the person. It is emphasized that this water also benefits cough. Apart from the gargling form of the rose, it is said that the leaves are crushed and chewed, which also has a refreshing mouth and strengthening the gums. It is said that the use of rose with vaseline removes cracks on the skin, softens and beautifies hands, and shows a feature that is good for hair and skin.
There’s more! The anti-bacterial rose has an acne-relieving effect. Rose, which is good for swelling and redness, is good for skin diseases such as eczema. It is stated that rose water, which is applied to the body of children who have taken measles, helps to pass the rashes. The abundant vitamin C contained in the rose, which has a strong antioxidant feature, protects the skin cells from harmful rays of the sun. Also, it is known to be good for sun burns as another benefit of rose on the skin.
Contributing to the beautification of the skin thanks to the natural oils it contains, the rose is also a beneficial feature for sensitive skin. The unique and fragrance of the rose allows it to be used frequently in cosmetic products. It is also known that rose water is used as a tonic and acts as a makeup remover. Rose, which is purifying and calming poison, gives calmness and calmness with its scent. It is seen as another benefit of the rose, which gives the skin a feeling of smoothness, besides tightening the pores, it gives vitality and freshness to the skin.
Leave a Reply