In the most recent season of the Netflix hit, With Love, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex invited viewers into her home as she prepared food, drinks, and handcrafted gifts for her guests, which included prominent figures like Chrissy Teigen, Jay Shetty, and Tan France. While the celebrity lineup drew attention, a certain ingredient stood out for its remarkable versatility and potency.
Filmed at her Montecito home where she resides with Prince Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet, Meghan spotlighted the rose – not the wine, but the entire plant – as a natural powerhouse. She described it as “anti-inflammatory” and impactful, which was no exaggeration. According to ScienceDirect, not only does this beautiful flower have a lovely scent, but it also boasts a wide range of applications.
Various components of the rose, such as petals, fruit, leaves, and even bark, find uses in cosmetic, culinary, pharmaceutical, and even engineering sectors. Medically, roses have shown potential in addressing inflammation, diabetes, menstrual issues, depression, stress, seizures, and aging signs.
Experts explain: “Different plant parts have different healing properties.” They note that each part is beneficial for both skincare and anti-inflammatory purposes.
| Parts | Chemical compound | Possible industry or medical applications |
|---|---|---|
| Petal | terpenes, aroma alcohols, flavonoids, anthocyanin, phenolic acids, polyphenols, aldehydes, ketones, tannins, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), carotenoids, minerals | analgesic, anticonvulsive, hypnotic, cardiovascular, laxative, and antioxidant properties, aromatherapy, perfumery, cosmetics and skincare, teas, natural colorant |
| Hips | vitamin C (ascorbic acid), carotenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, pectin, vitamin E (tocopherol), fatty acids, phytosterols | anti-Inflammatory and antioxidant properties, dietary supplements, cosmetics and skincare, natural coloring |
| Leaves | flavonoids, phenols, hydroxycinnamic acids, tannins, terpenes, aldehydes, alcohols, vitamin C, fatty acids, minerals. | diuretic properties, natural dyes, mild astringent properties |
Indeed, “rose hips are rich in vitamins, notably vitamin C, along with phenolic compounds, carotenoids, tocopherol, bioflavonoids, tannins, volatile oils, and pectins.” The NHS indicates that this vitamin aids in protecting cells and keeping them healthy.
It also plays a role in maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage while promoting wound healing. The benefits extend further, as a randomized clinical trial explored the effects of Rosa damascena fragrance on anxiety and sleep quality in patients in a cardiac care unit.
The results demonstrated that using Rosa damascena in aromatherapy significantly reduced anxiety and improved patients’ sleep quality. In their conclusion, they wrote: “The benefits of its multiple functions outweigh most other flowers.
“The beauty of rose can comfort people; the fragrance of rose can calm stressed-out body and mind; the ingredients of rose can be a good source of nutrients and medicinal herbs; the hierarchical structures of rose petals have anti-reflection and light-harvesting abilities, which have the potential to be materials for various electronic products.”
So will you be using rose more whether you use it as a health benefit or as a beauty benefit? Let us know in the comments below.
