The Indian Rose is a delight not only to look at, but also for our skin, mind & body. Read how to grow roses, and also find out recipes for gulkand & rose water!

The Rose is a woody perennial, with over 100 species – most are native to Asia. In this article, we’ll be discussing the Indian Rose or the Desi Gulab – also called the Rosa damascena. While is an ornamental plant, it has commercial uses too as the roses are used in ayurveda, in cosmetics and in making attar (perfume), ark (rose essence) & rose water.

How to grow & look after

Rose bushes are commonly available in nurseries. Roses love the sun and they need at least 4-5 hours of good sun daily.
To plant a rose bush, dig ½ to 1 foot, fill with an equal mix of soil, dry cow dung & coconut husk. Ensure all the root is well below the soil. Don’t cramp your bushes together; they like their space. Use big containers in case you’re not planting them in the ground and ensure good drainage. Don’t overwater; try and water them in the morning so they are dry by nightfall.
Remove withered or browned leaved immediately; don’t wait for them to drop off.
Roses are prone to aphids, but nothing that a spray of ½ teaspoon dishwashing liquid to one litre of water can’t handle. Check out our Organic Pesticides page for details!

Uses

Desi roses are small – 2-3 inches across, and have a delicate smell that stays for a long time. They are cultivated commercially to be used in the ayurvedic & cosmetic industry and to make pot pouri.

The Red Indian rose is sweet, cool, pungent and slightly bitter and has a beneficial effect on the intestines, improving digestion and metabolism. Roses are easy to digest, due to their sweet, pungent and bitter taste. Rose tea helps to combat digestive tract infections and re-establish the normal bacterial population of the intestines. The flower is also a heart tonic. It helps the nervous system as well. Roses can combat fatigue, lethargy, muscular aches, biliousness, itching and heat-related conditions. Roses are also used for gynaecological problems such as heavy menstrual discharge and white discharge. As it is a laxative, it is a remedy for all liver problems including sluggishness and constipation. Roses have a diuretic effect on the body, and help clear toxins and heat. The rose flower can also relieve sore throat, runny nose and blocked bronchial tubes.

Rose water has a tonic & astringent action on the capillaries just below the skin, and can diminish the redness caused by enlarged capillaries.

We’re sharing the recipe to Gulkand & Rose water with you… hope you’ll make these and enjoy using them too!

Gulkand

Gulkand is naturally rich in calcium and has antioxidant properties. It is also an excellent for skin toning and is a blood purifier. It has been traditionally used as a cooling tonic to combat fatigue, lethargy, muscular aches, biliousness itching and heat-related conditions. It even improves memory and eyesight.

Making Gulkand at home! You will need:
4 cups of rose petals
1 cup of sugar
2-4 cloves (optional)
2-4 cardamom (crushed, optional)
A clean & dry wide mouthed jar with a lid

Two tips: Freshly bloomed roses plucked in the early morning are best for gulkand, and the darker the roses, the better the gulkand! Take just the petals from the roses, discard disfigured or damaged petals. Wash gently with water, and let dry for 30 minutes or so on paper towels. Don’t worry about drying the roses completely, as a slight bit of moisture can even aid dissolving the sugar.

Now start layering the rose petals in the jar. Cover with a layer of sugar, and some spice. Add another layer of rose petals. Repeat the sugar and rose layers till everything is finished. Do remember to press the layers with the back of a spoon from time to time. Close the jar tightly, and keep in the sun for 3-4 weeks. Do open it up every 2-3 days to give it a shake or a stir.

Once it has a semi solid jam like consistency and a heady aroma, it is ready! Eat a teaspoon of gulkand in the morning and evening for best results!

Make a Gulkand sherbet by adding 1 tsp each of gulkand and with a glass of chilled milk. Enjoy!

Rose Water:

The simplest way to make rose water is to take a cup of tightly packed organic rose petals in a dish – use roses picked at dawn from your garden or from a safe source – and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them. Cover, and let steep till it is cool. Strain the petals from the mixture, and squeeze the liquid out of them – this is your rose water! Refrigerate this liquid in a sterilized jar.

This can be used in cooking – cakes, try it to make amazing scented rice, kheer etc or as a toner/ astringent on your face, as a coolant in your bath water, or any other way you like it!