If you have wild roses in your yard or nearby you might consider making a wild rose tincture. Roses have a long history of apothecary use. Many different cultures have discovered its usefulness for similar ailments. The discovery of vitamin C in the early 1900's has validated the reason roses have medicinal use. Preparations of the wild rose plant – petals, hips, roots, and bark – have been made historically by Native Americans and also in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Rose Benefits
Rose acts as a mild nervine, calming anxiety and jitters, and can ease insomnia and migraines. Many people find it an uplifting and gentle anti-depressant. It’s also anti-spasmodic so it is a useful treatment for stomach or menstrual cramps. Rose uplifts the spirit is a support for the heart, promoting circulation and purifying the blood. It nourishes women's health and rebalances hormone production.
Roses also have many uses in skin care and add a wonderful scent to these products. Other types of roses, like rosa rugosa, have a stronger smell and those are used in skin care products (as well as tinctures). You can also make rosewater with this recipe.
How to Make Rose Tincture
Rose tincture is a powerful way to extract the healing properties of the rose. It can be made with alcohol or with glycerin but rose glycerin is quite delicious and a really pleasant experience. Make this wonderfully fragrant tincture with glycerine
Rose Tincture or Glycerite
Ingredients
- 200 g dried or 300g fresh rose petals
- 1 quart solvent – alcohol 100 proof vodka is ideal glycerin (3 part glycerin 1 part distilled water), or vinegar
Instructions
- Place rose petals in a large, clean glass jar and pour on the solvent ensuring that the herb is covered.
- Close and label your jar with the name of the herb, solvent, and the date.
- Shake the jar for 1-2 minutes.
- Store in a cool dark place for at least 10-14 days (or longer), shaking the jar every 1-2 days.
- After 14 days you are ready to strain out the herbs. Pour the jar through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth. (There are some new fancy tools for this I have found like this herb press that helps make it less messy and extracts every last drop).
- Squeeze out the herb to get all remaining liquid.
- Discard or compost your herbs.
- Pour your finished tincture into a clean dark class bottle using a funnel.
- Close and label your jar with the name and date of your tincture.
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Oooh, I’m saving this for summer! We have wild roses growing here down by the river, and I’ve always wanted to harvest from them.
Yes! That is perfect. I harvest them from the woods along our farm and have done it with alcohol and glycerin. Both come out wonderful