The white rose is seen as a symbol of romance and beauty. But what many people don’t realize is that their petals contain natural antioxidants known to repair cell damage and protect against serious disease.
As it is full of vitamins A and E, which help to hydrate and tighten the skin, rose is also one of the beauty ingredients present in many cosmetics, such as moisturizers and body oils.
And that’s not all! In addition to the many benefits, tea made with white rose petals has also proven to be an effective treatment for emotional changes such as anxiety and depression.
Pharmacist Joceline Franco says that “people generally use the plant for some therapeutic purposes , in the form of teas. We can also find those who use the white rose as a blood cleanser, astringent, calming, antibacterial, digestive, anti-inflammatory, among others”.
Read on to learn more about the health benefits of white roses and how to get them.
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Benefits of White Rose Tea
According to the nutritionist, vitamins obtained from food are better absorbed than pills or supplements and white rose tea is a tasty and natural alternative.
Check out its biggest benefits below:
1. Relieves menstrual pain
A 2005 study confirmed the anti-inflammatory quality of white rose tea in treating menstrual symptoms, including painful cramps and swelling .
Researchers followed 109 adolescent women over a six-month period. The girls in one group drank two cups of white rose tea daily, starting a week before their period and up to the fifth day of their period.
Those in the tea group reported less pain and anxiety after just one month of treatment and symptoms continued to improve throughout the study.
2. Good for the skin
Rich in vitamins A and E, white rose tea tones and hydrates the skin , reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles , and reducing dark circles . This is why the flower is one of the main ingredients in many skin care products.
White rose petals are also a good source of vitamin C , known for its antioxidant properties, boosting the immune system and increasing the production of collagen , the protein responsible for healthy skin and hair .
The pharmacist explains that “since it is a fragrant flower, we find essential oils in its composition, and we call these essential oils. It is already a consensus that most essential oils have antimicrobial action, which may justify the antiseptic effects used in candidiasis and other infections. In addition to essential oils, antioxidant compounds such as tannins and flavonoids can be found in this plant, and will justify the purifying, anti-inflammatory and digestive action”
3. Can help with weight loss
Although there is no magic compound in white rose tea to eliminate fat, the drink is a healthy and calorie-free option that can replace soft drinks, for example.
“Swapping soda or coffee for white rose tea can help you lose weight in the long run. To maximize this benefit, the tea can also be ingested between meals, to alleviate hunger, also improving the digestion of fat and cholesterol”, explains the professional.
The pectin in white rose petal extracts binds to fat and cholesterol before they can be absorbed into the blood.
4. Helps treat urinary tract infections
As a natural diuretic , white rose tea can help treat painful urinary tract infections when in a mild stage. That’s because, by combining its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, tea helps relieve discomfort and cure infection .
By increasing the flow of urine, white rose tea also influences kidney health and function, which helps prevent the dreaded kidney stone.
5. Relieves and combats stress and anxiety
White rose tea can be an alternative to treat anxiety disorders, reduce stress and improve symptoms of depression.
That’s because the aromatic effect of the white rose is effective in calming the mind and helping to relax . Drinking tea at bedtime can also help you get a good night’s sleep .
White rose tea: how to make
There are several ways to make white rose tea, depending on how you would like to drink it.
The nutritionist explains, however, that “we need to take special care to prepare tea from this flower. Because it is sensitive (the petals are very sensitive), it doesn’t withstand much heat . The ideal would be to make an infusion , which is when we heat the water until it boils, turn off the heat source and put the water in contact with the petals for about 3 minutes and immediately strain”.
So you can either buy dried rose petals and add them to the tea powder of your choice, or get fresh white rose petals and boil them in water to make tea.
You can add other ingredients of your choice to make the tea more flavorful, such as cinnamon or fresh ginger .
Contraindications
As for contraindications, the nutritionist explains that “these are common for all medicinal plants: avoid using it in children, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding.”
Furthermore, she adds that “with regard to oil, never use it concentrated directly on the skin. Care is also needed when the individual has other comorbidities (diseases) or uses other medications. And the maxim always applies: before starting any treatment, consult a doctor or pharmacist before using a product, even if it has the appeal of being natural”.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.