Roses Are Red...

Violets are blue. Here's a Valentine's idea I wrote just for you!

Actually, not all roses are red - they come in myriad shades and I love them all. But the red (or deep pink) ones are usually the most fragrant and, when it comes to roses, that’s what I’m looking for.

I mostly use rose petals in an ‘energetic’ way. Chemically they are mildly astringent, (which is why rosewater makes such a great cooling face toner), but there is so much more to roses than mere chemistry.

My teacher used to say that rose preparations are a ‘hug in bottle’ and over the years I’ve found that to be true time and again. When I include rose in a herbal blend, I’m offering a herbal hug - one which I hope will open their heart and bring a sense of peace and comfort. Roses are particularly helpful when someone’s self-esteem is low or when they are experiencing grief. We all recognize grief after bereavement, but it can occur at other times too - at the end of a job, a relationship, perhaps a long-held dream or aspiration. Even when change is for the good, it can still come with a sense of loss. Sometimes we wall-off those feelings, we keep-keeping on and encapsulate the pain in a corner of our heart where it inhibits the flow of joy and love. When that happens, rose can gently dissolve the knot and open our hearts again.

There are so many ways to experience roses. A bunch of cut stems in the house will lift the heart every time you look at them with their perfume and beauty. I make a tincture by steeping fresh fragrant petals from the garden in vodka for just a few days, until the vodka turns pink and the roses white. A fun fact about roses is that the color and fragrance is held on the surface of the petals, so easily slips into the vodka leaving pale, ghostly petals behind.

Rose essential oil is expensive, but adding just a few drops in the bath is an indulgent treat. Steeping fresh petals in equal amounts of honey and vodka creates a Rose Elixir which can be added to drinks or food or simply enjoyed by the spoonful.

One of my favorite things to make with rose is an infused sugar syrup. It’s super easy to make (recipe below) and would make a lovely last-minute Valentine’s gift. I like to add a little to champagne or sparkling wine for a beautiful pale pink summery cocktail or use sparkling water for a rose mocktail. Roses have a special affinity with strawberries, and this is particularly gorgeous drizzled over a bowl of fresh berries or whipped into cream to accompany them. If you’re feeling adventurous you could even use it to flavor a home-made ice cream.

One word of caution - if you are planning to consume anything made with roses, the ones found in store-bought bouquets are NOT suitable because they’re usually sprayed with pesticides and chemicals to make them last longer. Home grown are by far the best ( if you have a garden, but don’t have a fragrant red rose growing in it, a wonderful Valentine’s gift to yourself or your significant other would be a rose bush). As roses aren’t blooming at this time of year, this will work equally well with dried rose petals, which are easy to find in any herbal store or online - just make sure they’re sold for food or tea use, not pot pourri.

ROSE SYRUP RECIPE

1 Cup filtered water

1 Cup white sugar

1 generous handful fresh or dried fragrant red rose petals

1. Put the water and sugar in a pan and heat gently until the sugar has fully dissolved and you have a clear syrup. Swirling the pan will help the sugar dissolve and make sure there are no sugar crystals left at the bottom of the pan.

2. Remove from the heat and immediately add the rose petals. Swirl again so that they sink into the hot syrup. Immediately cover the pan and leave to cool.

3. Once fully cooled, just strain the syrup through a sieve lined with cheesecloth.

4. Bottle the syrup in a sterilized bottle (or small bottles if you’re making this for gifts) and label.

It’s that easy!

Happy Valentine’s day