Roses are not only Red and they make Great Tea

The flowers from  the rose plant  are not just a delight to look at but they have many other culinary and botanical uses. Rose petal tea has been imbibed for centuries for its presumed medicinal properties.

"Rose flowers  also known as the ‘queen of flowers’, are said to have been first cultivated  in China as far back as 5,000 years ago. The rose according to fossil evidence is 35 million years old (University of Illinois Extension).

In the Saint Lucian Context, the plant is not only the country's National flower but the elegant blooms have inspired the yearly "La Woz " or La Rose  flower festival held in the month of August.

In Traditional Chinese medicine rose petal tea has been used as a possible remedy for the following;

• Insomnia 
• Mood swings, 
• Fatigue, 
• Stomach issues 
• Alleviation of menstrual and menopausal symptoms. 

According to the online journal Plants of Saint Lucia rose petals are used in traditional medicine to treat "pink eye" or conjunctivitis. The petals are  crushed and applied to the  affected eye/s.

It is a key component of my my nightcap elixir or "Lullaby" tisane. The "Queen of flowers" smoothly combines with the "Queen of herbs" or  Holy basil to create a tea which helps you drift gently into sleep.

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