PDR for Herbal Medicines

644 /ROSA CANINA

Rosa canina

See Dog Rose

Rosa gallica & Rosa

centifolia

See Rose

Rose -

Rosa gallica & Rosa centifolia

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the petals and the

oil extracted from them. Rose is also used in homeopathic

medicine.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are usually solitary, more

rarely in twos and threes, on 2 to 3 cm long, thickly-

glandular pedicles. The calyx is round to peaf-shaped and is

usually thickly covered with stem glands and gland bristles.

The velvety petals are pink to purple, 2 to 3 cm long and

wide. The style and stigma form the ovary that is surrounded

by carpels enclosed in the calyx, forming woolly capitula.

The ripe, red-brown false fruit is 1 to 1.5 cm long.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant, a descendant of Rosa

gallica is a low shrub with extensive runners and above

ground reed-like shoots, which are erect and branched. They

usually grow to between 0.5 to 1 m and are covered with

long, revolute or erect thorns and stem glands of different

length. The leaves, which are usually penfoliate, less

frequently trifoliate, have long glanular, dark green above,

lighter and bluer below, leaflets. They grow together at the

leaf stem that terminate in free tips.

Habitat: Rose is probably indigenous to Iran and is

cultivated worldwide.

Production: Rose flowers consist of the dried petals of Rosa

gallica and Rosa centifolia that are gathered prior to fully

unfolding. The petals are harvested by hand and dried in the

shade.

Other Names: Cabbage Rose, Hundred-Leafed Rose, French

Rose, Damask Rose

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Tannins: oligomeric proanthocyanidins

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Volatile oil (in the fresh blossoms): chief components (-)-

citronellol, geraniol, nerol, phenyl ethanol, Including as well

(-)-linalool, and citral

EFFECTS

The astringent effect attributed to the drug is due to the

tannin content.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx

Unproven Uses: Rose flowers are used in folk medicine

internally for diarrhea, tuberculosis of the lungs, pulmonary

catarrh and asthma, hemorrhage and leucorrhea. Externally,

it is used for inflammations of the oral and pharyngeal

mucosa, suppurating wounds and lid inflammation.

Indian Medicine: In India, Rose is used for coughs,

bronchitis, asthma, fever and general debility. It is also used

for wounds and hyperhydrosis.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

' dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Rose flowers are available as

whole, crude and powdered drug forms for internal and

external use.

Preparation:

Tea — 1 to 2 gm drug added to 1 cup (200 ml) water.

Rose vinegar — 60 gm petals added to 750 ml red wine

vinegar.

Daily Dosage:

Tea infusion — up to 3 cups per day. It is also used for rinses

and washes.

Powder — 5 to 10 gm with honey or liquid.

The leaves can be applied directly to the eyes.

Storage: Should be tightly sealed and stored in dry arid cool

place.

LITERATURE

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8: Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs, Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York

1980.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.