Roses, Méi Guī Huā, 玫瑰花, Flos Rosae Rugosae

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

AboutBotanyChinese MedicineCaution
Health Benefits
For: Depression • Indigestion • Stomach aches • Liver toxicity • Cervical cancer • Breast cancer • Antimony poisoning
Attributes: anti-inflammatory • antibacterial • antibiotic • antimicrobial • prebiotic • laxative • cholagogic • antiradical • astringent • antispasmodic • sedative
Products (online examples)

Dried Pedals

Extract

Powder

Rose Water

Rose Hip

Rose Hip Oil

Rose Hip Jam

Face Cream

Research (sample)

The roots have been found to potentially benefit diabetes.  The antimicrobial activity of rose petals are cytotoxic against cervical(HeLa) and breast cancer(T47D) cell lines.   It also showed antimicrobial effect against eight types of bateria and two yeast strains.  In fact, studies in vitro have shown extracts of pedals to be an intestinal prebiotic and is antibaterial.  Rose hips have more anti-oxidants than the pedals.  They are often used for indigestion, stomach aches, weak eyesight and depression.  Research has also shown rose hips to benefit the liver by lowering malondialdehyde (helps to detoxify) in mice.  

Constituents: 
11 sesquiterpene types • triterpenoid saponins • phenols • flavonoids • tannins • cyanin • carotenoids • polysaccharide • citronellol • geraniol • gallic acid • Beta Carotene • Rose hip contains high amount of vitamin C.

Photos (Click to enlarge)
Fun Facts
Other Names: Maikaika (Japanese) • Maegoehwa (Korean)
Plant Family: Rosaceae
All rose pedals are edible.  There are many varieties of roses.  This blog will focus on two types.  Rosa Rugosa (commonly used in Chinese herbs) and Rosa Damascena(commonly used in western products).  Decoctions of Mei Gui Hua can be an antidote for antimony poisoning.
Species
There are over 100 variety of roses.  This site and the USDA have detailed classifications.
Growth
Rosa rugosa is in the USDA Plant Database.  Drill down via USDA Interactive Map:

USA: Rosa rugosa has been introduced to multiple states.      USDA Zones: 2-7

Native: Northeast China, Southeast Siberia, Japan, Korea

Habitats:  Beaches, sand dunes

Remarks
Drying Roses - Use only pedals without pesticide.

Choose roses halfway open to get the sweetest pedals.  Gently grab entire bud to pull off pedals.

Discard any imperfect pedals.   No need to wash since no pesticide is used.

 Lay out the pedals in the dehydrator - make sure they do not overlap.

Set the dehydrator to 95 degrees for 6 hours.  Check every 2 hours for appropriate dryness.

For whole buds, choose buds that have not yet open.  Buds take about 12 hours to dry.

Dry red roses make a beautiful tea color, not to mention the phytochemical benefits.  The color of the roses leaches out quickly in hot water.  When roses are added to ice tea, it's a beautiful decoration.  When added to salad, it has a mild sweet flavor.  Almost all rose pedals are eatable.  Roses featured in above photos are Rosa Radrazz (Knock Out Roses).

Harvesting Roses in Garden

Category: Regulate Qi 
English: Roses    Pinyin:  Mei Gui Hua      Pharmaceutical: Flos Rosae Rugosae  
Organs: Liver • Spleen    Temperature: Warm    
Taste: Sweet • Slightly Bitter    Toxicity: None noted  
Patterns: Qi stagnation 
Actions:  Circulate qi • Alleviate constraint • Harmonize blood • Dissolve stasis
Indications: Menstrual cramps • Irregular menstruation • Poor appetite • Flank and epigasric pain and distention • Stifling chest sensation
Contraindications: Pregnancy • Breast feeding • Bleeding conditions • Surgery • Iron-related disorders • GPD deficiencies • Sickle cell disease
Typical Dosage: 1.5-6 g • tincture 1-3ml • Add flower buds or pedals near end of decoction          Guidelines
Parts Used: Flowers • Rose Hips 
Other:
Combine Mei Gui Hua With Purpose
Xiang Fu + Chuan Lian Zi Flank and epigastric pain from constrained liver qi
Ji Xue Teng + Yan Hu Suo Pain from blood stasis
Dang Gui + Ze Lan Irregular menstruation
Yi Mu Cao Heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
Formulas with Mei Gui Hua
None noted

Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
  • Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • Bleeding conditions: Rugosin E in rose hips may slow blood clotting and conflict with blood thinner drugs.  This is also why people undergoing surgery should stop taking rose hip at least 2 weeks prior.
  • The large amount of vitamin C in rose hip may cause problems for people with iron-related disorders, GPD deficiency, and sickle cell disease.
Potential Drug Interactions

Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs.  Examples below:

Herbs: ♦Anticoagulants: American Ginseng, Arnica, Rou Gui, Chamomile, Dan Shen, Dang Gui, Deertongue, Sheng Jiang, Goji Berry, Ginko Nutes, Notoginseng, Peach Kernel, Hong Hua, Sweet Clover, Vanilla Grass

Pharma Drugs:♦Anticoagulants: asprin , clopidogrel (Plavix) , Coumadin , dipyridamole , enoxaparin , Heparin

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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