Wild Rose: The Heart’s Ally and Alberta’s Flower
Known as Alberta’s provincial flower, the wild rose is recognized by many as a symbol of beauty and love. It might be your favorite in the garden or a memorable flower from a special bouquet. We often associate roses with love, but did you know this beloved flower is also a powerful heart medicine?
A Deep Connection to Love and Healing
In my world, there’s no such thing as coincidence. Nature knew exactly what she was doing when she gave the rose its association with love. This beautiful flower, often marketed as a symbol of affection, is literally a heart medicine—both physically and emotionally.
Roses hold a special place in my heart because of my grandmother, an artist who often painted them. Whenever I see a rose, I feel a warmth, as though she’s hugging me from beyond. One of life’s synchronicities is that my daughter, Paisley, was born on the same day, month, and time as my grandmother passed away—just two years later. What was once a day marked by grief has become one of love and blessing. Fittingly, June is Paisley’s birth month, and the rose is her birth flower. The universe always knows. Paisley is, in many ways, a reflection of my grandmother—full of creativity and love.
Medicinal and Physical Benefits of the Wild Rose
Beyond its beauty, the wild rose is rich with medicinal properties. Its leaves, hips, and petals are mildly astringent and diuretic, helping cleanse the liver, gallbladder, and blood. Rose petals have a cooling effect, making them ideal for fevers or as an after-sun treatment to soothe sunburn.
Add rose petals to bath water for a gentle, cooling effect on rheumatism, or brew rosehip tea to reduce inflammation and boost immune function. Rose hips are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, known to help regulate pituitary hormones, which can enhance immune health and balance the body.
A Woman’s Ally
Rose is an incredible ally for women. Rose tea can help ease menstrual difficulties, irregular cycles, menopause symptoms, and hot flashes. By supporting hormone regulation, roses improve overall reproductive health while soothing the body.
Its benefits are not just physical. Rose has deep spiritual and psychological effects. As a symbol of love—especially self-love—it helps comfort us through grief, sorrow, and depression. Rose opens the heart, helps release emotional blockages, and guides us through feelings of disappointment and apathy. It strengthens our connection to ourselves and elevates our overall mood.
So, next time you see a rose, don’t wait for someone else to gift it to you—buy them for yourself. Think of it as a gift of love, straight from your heart to your soul.
Nourishment from the Rose Family
The rose family has nourished us for generations. Did you know that apples, pears, plums, and peaches all belong to the same family? Roses offer their edible petals, hips, and leaves for us to enjoy. You can make rose tinctures, elixirs, honey, syrups, or even butter from the petals, infusing these creations with a potent, unique flavor.
The leaves and hips can be brewed into tea, providing a wide range of medicinal benefits, including a calming, nervine effect on the body. Rose petals can even be used in smoking blends as an alternative to CBD or THC, offering a gentle sedative effect.
Rose Oil: A Skin Regenerator
Rose oil is remarkable for its skin-regenerating properties. Its toning effects help minimize wrinkles, fine lines, and even dissolve recent scar tissue, burns, and stretch marks. It calms hot, inflamed skin issues like rosacea, making it an excellent addition to skincare routines. Its astringent qualities also make it a great mouthwash with mild antiseptic properties.
The Fragrance of Purity and Passion
The scent of roses is captivating—a fragrance of purity and innocence on one hand and sensuality on the other. It’s an aphrodisiac, a mood booster, and a comforting presence all in one.
I hope this inspires you to cultivate a deeper connection with wild roses. Whether in your garden, in a tea, or as a spiritual guide, the wild rose is always there—offering love, beauty, and healing.
