Damascus Rose

Rose damascena, more commonly known as the Damask rose, or sometimes as the Bulgarian rose, Turkish rose, Taif rose, Arab rose, Ispahan rose and Castile rose, is a rose hybrid, derived from Rosa gallica and Rose moschata. It's native to Persia (Iran), Rosa damascena is now grown commercially in Bulgaria and Turkey.

It's a perennial, deciduous shrub that can reach a height of 6 feet. It produces red, white or pink flowers up to 3 inches across in summer.

Damask roses are used in cooking as a flavouring ingredient or spice. They are an ingredient in the spice mixture denominated ras el hanout. Rose water and powdered roses are used in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. Rose water is often sprinkled on meat dishes, while rose powder is added to sauces. Chicken with rose is a popular dish in Middle Eastern cuisine. Whole flowers, or petals, are also used in the herbal tea zuhurat. The most popular use, however, is in the flavoring of desserts such as ice cream, jam, Turkish delights, rice pudding, yogurt, etc.

Apart from the use of Rosa damascena as ornamental plants in parks, gardens, and houses, they are principally cultivated for using in perfume, medicine and food industry. Several pharmacological properties including anti-HIV, antibacterial, antioxidant, antitussive, hypnotic, antidiabetic, and relaxant effect on tracheal chains have been reported for this plant.

Medicinal uses

• Rosa damascena contains many anti-bacterial elements and eliminates the diseases that result   from it such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhea as well as stomach and colon infections and improves the health of the urinary system. It can also be used in cases of food poisoning, and on the other hand it is used in the treatment of skin diseases and wounds in addition to infections the eyes.
• As it is extracted from the rose petals, an oil that has a high ability to calm the nerves, relax the body and help get rid of depression due to the fact that it gives the person confidence and happiness and works to increase his positive thoughts, Which gives a person a feeling of hope and love of life, Rosa damascena also has the ability to get rid of all forms of anxiety and tension.
• The oil extracted from the rose has a superior ability to treat the effects of grains, either result ing from a person’s infection with smallpox or as a result of surgical operations, in addition to the effects of acne.
• Rosa Damascena stimulates the body to resist all diseases and kill viruses that may infect the body of any kind.
• Its aroma is a powerful source of increasing sexual desire in males and females.
• Rosa Damascena works to adjust the acidity level in the stomach, it helps in regulating the digestive process within the digestive system.
• Rose water is extracted from Rosa Damascena, which has a great benefit in cleansing and cleaning the skin from impurities, whether result ing from cosmetic operations or polluted dust.

Precautions

• When taken by mouth: Rose hip extract is likely safe when consumed in amounts found in foods. Rose hip from Rosa canina is also likely safe when used in larger amounts as medicine. Rose hip that comes from Rosa damascena is possibly safe when taken in larger amounts as medicine. There isn't enough reliable information to know if rose hip from other types of rose is safe in medicinal amounts. Rose hip can cause some side effects, such as diarrhea. Rose hip is the part of the rose flower just below the petals that contains the rose plant seeds. It has been used for osteoarthritis and contains vitamin C.
• When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if rose hip is safe or what the side effects might be.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if rose hip is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
• Kidney stones: In large doses, rose hip might increase the chance of getting kidney stones. This is due to the vitamin C in rose hip.

Interactions

• Rose tea may interact with certain medications, like blood thinners or antidepressants.
• Aluminum interacts with ROSE HIP. Aluminum is found in most antacids. Rose hips contain vitamin C. Vitamin C can increase how much aluminum the body absorbs. But it isn't clear if this interaction is a big concern. Take rose hip two hours before or four hours after antacids.
• Estrogens interacts with ROSE HIP. Rose hip contains vitamin C. Vitamin C can increase how much estrogen the body absorbs. Taking rose hip along with estrogen can increase the effects and side effects of estrogens.
• Lithium interacts with ROSE HIP. Taking rose hip might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and  result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
• Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with ROSE HIP. Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Rose hip contains vitamin C. Large amounts of vitamin C might decrease the effects of warfarin. Decreasing the effects of warfarin might increase the risk of clotting. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
• Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with ROSE HIP. Rose hip might slow blood clotting. Taking rose hip along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
• Medications for cancer (Alkylating agents) interacts with ROSE HIP. Rose hip contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might decrease the effects of some medications used for cancer. If you are taking medications for cancer, check with your healthcare provider before taking rose hip.
• Medications for cancer (Antitumor antibiotics) interacts with ROSE HIP. Rose hip contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might decrease the effects of medications used for cancer. If you are taking medications for cancer, check with your healthcare provider before taking rose hip.
• Aspirin interacts with ROSE HIP. Vitamin C might decrease how much aspirin is removed in the urine. Rose hip contains vitamin C. Taking rose hip could increase the chance of aspirin-related side effects. But research suggests that this is not an important concern, and that the vitamin C in rose hip does not interact in a meaningful way with aspirin.