Roses are such beautiful flowers that can be used for nutrition, medicine and pure enjoyment.

Their petals are soft and smooth and come in so many colors. The different scents that come from this plant is mesmerizing. The variety of sizes makes them so versatile in any arrangement or craft project.

They come in different colors which actually have special meanings.

These flowers are not just lovely to look at but they can be used for so much more. Use them in craft projects, natural medicine and also for nutrition for both yourself and your dog. All parts of the rose plant are full of nutrients and medicinal properties. Rose can help fight bacterial infections or inflammation. It’s used to alleviate digestive issues, skin irritations and can even repel fleas and ticks.

The Rose can be healing on a purely energetic level. Just sitting with roses can open your heart and help you feel gratitude for all that you have. Watching butterflies and bees enjoying each flower and harvesting the pollen gives you a sense of wonderment at what the plant offers.

There are more than 100 known rose species and it is grown all over the world. This plant has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, its scents and its beauty. By simply using Rose Hydrosol (aromatherapy) either in a diffuser or a natural candle gives your home a soothing scent that can be calming to an anxious dog.

The Common name: Rose

The Latin name: Rosa Family: Rosaceae

Properties: antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, digestive tonic, diuretic, nervine, nutritive, and tonic.

The petals and the leaves are cooling and can help ease the pain of a burn or reduce a fever. Making a Rose syrup can be helpful when relieving symptoms of a cold or flu. Rose hips (the round pod underneath the petals) when combined with juices and sugar is comforting for a sore throat. Rose hips are also a very high source of Vitamin C as well as rich in vitamins A, B and K.

When using rose petals in a tonic it helps the body eliminate toxins, it also helps to heal the digestive tract and restore a healthy balance in gut bacteria. Its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties are very useful for digestive disorders. Another medicinal use that the rose offers is its antibacterial and antiseptic properties known to help fight infections. Using oats, epsom salt, rose hips and other herbs will help your dog relieve itchy dry skin.

Common uses of Rose for your dog with some recipes to try.

Rose tea is often used for dogs as an eye wash for infections or comfort. It is a safe and gentle anti-inflammatory. It will help if your dog should get a foreign object like a hair or sand in its eye. This tea can also be used to wash a small wound or scratches to protect the area from becoming infected.

Using Rose tea is a wonderful way to promote healthy skin and coat during bath time. This plant is very hydrating and its scent is lovely. By adding in some other ingredients you can use it as a soothing rinse after a bath.

Should your dog seem to have an upset stomach you can add 1 tablespoon of rose tea (per 20 pounds) to the water bowl of your dog. It should help soothe your pups tummy.

Rose vinegar is very helpful to your dog because apple cider vinegar has many health benefits as well.

If your dog has itchy irritated skin you can use this as a wash to help heal it. It will make your dogs coat and skin healthier by discarding dead skin cells because of the acidity of the vinegar as the rose properties help soothe the skin. Using this combination will also repel ticks and fleas naturally.

Rose syrup is very soothing for a sore throat and a Rose oat bath will help your dog with itchy skin.

Rose Tea Recipe

Rose tea is a simple way to enjoy the benefits.

Ingredients:

4 oz - fresh Rose Petals (or 1oz dried Rose Petals)

4 cups - boiling water

Directions:

Place the rose petals in a strainer, in your tea pot. Add the water and cover. Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat and let sit for 2-5 minutes. Pour your tea and enjoy.

Rose Vinegar Recipe

Rose vinegar is really good for skin health, When you infuse herbs into vinegars you will draw out the medicinal properties of the plant. Vitamins and minerals are also extracted by this process.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup - dried Rose Petals (or 1 cup fresh Rose Petals)

1 cup - apple cider vinegar

Directions:

Place your Rose Petals (dried or fresh) in a mason jar, boil the vinegar for 1-2 minutes, pour the hot vinegar over the Rose Petals (if using fresh be sure to cover the tops of the plant material). Place the cover on the jar (after it has cooled slightly). Tighten the lid and place it in a cupboard for 4-6 weeks.

This recipe can be used as a way to detox or reduce inflammation. If using as a skin toner - dilute 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water.

*The diluted version of this recipe is very cleansing and soothing on a dogs skin.

Rose Syrup Recipe

Great for soothing a sore throat from a cold or flu

Ingredients:

10 fl oz of water

1 cup granulated sugar

Juice of 1 lemon - strained

Juice of 1 orange - strained

10 tbsp dried rose petals or 10 fresh rose heads

Directions:

Dissolve the sugar in the water in a small saucepan over low heat. (Do not boil)

Add the strained juices and turn down the heat, simmer for 5 minutes

Add the rose petals very slowly of the next 15 minutes, one tablespoon at a time, mixing in each time

Remove from the heat, cool and strain.

Pour into a small jar and keep refrigerated

Rose Oat Rinse Recipe

Use after you give your dog a bath as a rinse to help their skin feel relief of itchy skin.

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup epsom salt

1/4 cup lavender

1/2 cup chamomile

1/2 cup dried rose petals

Directions:

Put all of the ingredients into a drawstring cotton bag. Place the bag into a pan of water that has been boiled. Turn off heat and let sit for about 15 minutes. Remove the bag and pour over your dog as a rinse or add to your own bath.

This recipe would be very soothing should you get into poison ivy or poison oak.

These flowers are not just lovely to look at but they can be used for so much more. Crafting with botanicals is a wonderful and fun way to introduce children to the magical world of herbs. Kids love to express themselves creatively and they learn so much through touching, smelling, and playing. Most children love roses and they especially adore baby rosebuds.

A great craft for children using Rose Tea is Play Dough,

here is a recipe to make your own.

Play Dough and Salt Dough

When making the Play Dough or Salt Dough use the Rose Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1 cup Rose Petal Tea

1 TBSP oil (coconut or avocado)

Directions:

Place all the ingredients in a pot and stir until mixed, cook over low heat until the dough sets up. You can add beet powder to make a rose color. After the dough has cooled it is ready to mold. You can add glitter or more rose petals. Store the dough in an airtight container.

Where can you get Rose Petals or Rose Hips

If you are lucky enough to grow your own roses then you know the quality of the petals or hips you are getting. You can dry your own plant by hanging them whole and tied together with a cotton string. Be sure that air can circulate throughout the flowers. You can also buy dried rose petals or hips at a local herbal shop or online at Mountain Rose Herbs. Always shop with a very reputable herbal business and be sure that their herbs are always all organically grown. When making medicine, using as an addition to enhance nutrition or just drinking as a beverage it is very important to know the source of the herb you are working with and that they are always chemical free.

Disclaimer: When eating or using any herbals for yourself or your pet it is always recommended to speak with your veterinarian or your doctor to be sure it will not interact with any medications your are currently prescribed.