WIld Rose Monograph - Rosa Acicularis
Photography, Art and Writing by Freya Fawn Giles
Common Name - Wild Rose
Latin Name - Rosa Acicularis, Rosa Canina, Rosa Woodsii, Rosa Nutkana.
Folk Names - Wild Prickly Rose, Dog Rose.
Plant family - Rosaceae (1) (3)
Parts of plant used - Buds, Flowers, Leaves, Hips (1) (3)
Plant Description - Low to medium shrub, 0.5-2 m tall, spreading by rhizomes and sometimes thicket-forming; stems spindly to stout, erect to spreading, usually with a pair of straight or slightly curved prickles near the base of the leaves, often with weak internodal prickles or bristles especially on young shoots.
Who is Rose ? - One of the oldest herbs known to humans, Rose has a history in almost every part of the world. It’s enchanting fragrance and obvious heart medicine is recognized widely. There are 47 species of the Rosa genus growing wild in Europe and 10,000 varieties, both wild and cultivated, growing worldwide. (2) Rose is one of the herbs/flowers sensitive folks like myself are drawn to. Some of us got more grief than we think we can handle and Rose is there for us, inviting love into our broken hearts again.
The cooling and anti-inflammatory nature of rose has an affinity for the heart and blood. Rose is excellent at clearing excess heat and congestion from the bloodstream and targeting blood based disorders such as those associated with the menstrual cycle and/or the skin. This herb’s affinity for the heart means that it will support the organ on both a physical and emotional level, helping to relieve emotional tension, but also tension in the heart muscle itself manifesting as palpitations for example.(5)
18th century herbalist, J. Quincy, wrote that Rose “raises the spirits and gives sudden strength and cheerfulness” and categorized Rose as primarily a cardiac and cephalic (relating to the head).² Roses strengthen the heart. The herb assists with memory and promotes clarity of mind, heart, and spirit by connecting all three. Rose nourishes the body and is a sweet medicine which calms the nervous system (2)
Rose’s nourishing and calming effect on the nervous system make it useful for nervous depression and anxiety, particularly where this is characterised by agitation, palpitations and tension headaches.(5) Rose can be beneficial flower to work with for those who are near giving up, lost their spark for life or are deep in the holds of grief. Someone who’s vitality has drained, nerves are frayed, eyes are sad, and shoulders slumped in toward their heart.
Taste - Sweet, Floral. Bitter, sweet, astringent (2)
Energetics - Cooling. (2) Flower is moistening where the hip is drying.
Medicinal actions - Diaphoretic, carminative, probiotic, hepatoprotective, emmenagogue, reproductive tonic, aphrodisiac, aperient, decongestant, febrifuge, nervine, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, haemostatic, antimicrobial, antidepressant, analgesic, vulnerary, deodorant. Flower: anodyne, antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, aromatic, astringent, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, aromatic, astringent, blood tonic, cardiotonic, carminative, decongestant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hemostatic, hepatic, kidney tonic, laxative, refrigerant, sedative. Hip: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antiviral, astringent, blood tonic, cardiotonic, digestive, diuretic (mild), emmenagogue, kidney tonic, laxative, nutritive, stimulant, tonic. (2)
Safety - Caution if pregnant or breastfeeding. Spending time near the flower is highly beneficial.
Types of preparations to use herb in - Tea, Tincture, Oxymel, Honey, Distillation, Salve, Cream, Balm, Salt. Many culinary uses as well including candy, cakes, syrups, most all baking.
Doses/Recipes
Rose Petals:
Tea: 5-28 grams
Tincture: 1:5 (dried) or 1:2 (fresh), 30-40%, 3-5 mL, three times a day (4)
Rose Hips:
Tea or powder: 5-45 grams per day
Both the petals and fruits (hips) are considered to be foods and can be safely taken in large amounts. (4)
My ramblings and observations of Wild Roses - I am a person who carries grief. There have been many significant events in my life, especially death and loss from my early years to present that have broken my heart to pieces. The wild Roses have been there for me. I patiently await the short time frame where they are blooming in the mountain and I can actually go be with them. It is here I find an energetic serum. This serum of merely being in the presence of what I call my Rose forest temple, I can allow the spirit of the Roses to pour into my heart, much like honey and fill in the cracks of grief, loss and sorrow. I make my own Elixir calle “Honey in the Heart”, consisting of Rose Petals, Roships, Hawthorn, Daminana, and Tulsi Basil. The base and inspiration of this elixir are most definitely the Wild Roses. There is nothing comparable in my opinion. Living in the far north, Wild Roses are very common and tend to grow in the wide spaces between the Trembling Aspen. This habitat is so perfect for me these days. I spread my dog Willo’s ashes amongst my rose patch and visit often. This flower used in almost any preparation can be used as a ritual aid, in meditation and ceremony. You will feel the magic. It is unmistakably direct and kind.
Quotes - Musing - Poetry
Oh sweet wild Rose, I await until we can share a breath together.
Your blooms pry my heart open, return me to the mystic state we all were born as. Our visits remind me of the magic in this often tragic world. Meeting you year after year is like reading a very long book. Each year, a new chapter in my awareness of your divine teachings.
I take the ashes of my loved ones here, the Rose temple. Overlooking the untouchable snow capped mountain, soft singing aspens and robust Pines. This is the best spot for me to grieve, be held by the Roses, and let love flow into my heart.
Freya Giles
Sometimes, hidden from me in daily custom and in ritual
I live by you unaware, as if by the beating of my heart.
Suddenly you flare again in my sight
A wild rose at the edge of the thicket where yesterday there was only
shade
And I am blessed and choose again,
That which I chose before.
Wendell Berry
"Wild roses," I said to them one morning. "Do you have the answers? And if you do, would you tell me?" The roses laughed softly. "Forgive us," they said. "But ...we are busy just being roses”
Mary Oliver
Wild rose softens the areas that we tense to protect ourselves, unraveling emotional tension patterns that get locked in the body. Rose naturally works in places where 'flow' is impeded. Rose unwinds the stuck-ness that is often rooted in old grief, old trauma.
Rebecca Altman, WonderBotanica.com
References/Research
1. Foragers Path. Monograph By June Pepper https://www.theforagerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Rose-Student-Moograph.pdf
2. Wortsandcunning. Rose Monograph by Alexis J Cunningfolk
3. https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rosa%20woodsii&noTransfer=0 E-Flora BC Atlas
4. https://www.learningherbs.com/blog/rose-uses#gsc.tab=0 Learning Herbs Rose Monograph by Rosalee de la Forêt
5. https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/rose/