Schmidt’s Rose+Black Pepper hemp seed oil deodorant
Photo courtesy of @heymaryelizabeth on Instagram/Schmidt’s
Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose, but Gertrude Stein may not have realized that a rose is also a body-boosting powerhouse.
Yes, the plant. Be it crimson, fuchsia, cream, or any hue in between, rose is more than just a beautiful bouquet centerpiece. In fact, it’s arguably the Wonder Woman of the wellness world, positively impacting everything from anxiety to antibiotic resistance.
What makes rose so special beyond it’s incredible scent (we love it so much, we use it in both our deodorant and bar soap scents)? It’s all about what you’ll find inside the plant; it ranks high when it comes to polyphenol, carotenoid, and vitamin C, E, and B levels. There’s also the fact that, beyond the vase, the flower can be found in many forms, including rose essential oil (which is produced by distilling fresh flowers), rose water (anywhere from 10 to 50 percent of it is comprised of rose oil), dried flowers (the petals can then be distilled, eaten, or scattered in a bathtub to capture the perfect #SelfCareSunday photo), and rose hips (which come from the seed pods of the plant).
Schmidt’s Rose+Vanilla deodorant and Rose+Black Pepper hemp seed oil deodorant
Photo courtesy of @chrysticook on Instagram/Schmidt’s
And its benefits are myriad, too. For one thing, rose is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial (it’s actually been found to combat antibiotic resistance). It’s also packed with antioxidants — yes, just like the fancy superfoods you add into your a.m. smoothie, with rose hip powder ranking above even that breakfast go-to blueberry when it comes to potency — which might explain why it’s also believed to be an anti-aging booster.
Fun Fact
A study found that rose-flower extract actually decreased the mortality rate in flies.
Another surprising benefit? In studies it’s been found to delay the start of certain epileptic seizures, as well as cause prolonged latent periods between incidents of some seizures.
Beyond the body, rose can have a major mental impact too. Researchers have found it to have beneficial effects on brain function and have been exploring ways it can be used to treat Alzheimer’s and dementia. And then, of course, the flower has been found to have a major anxiety-reducing impact on people which might explain why it’s impossible to feel stressed out when you’ve got a bloom of roses sitting on your coffee table.
And lest you think that the rose-romance connection is overplayed, one study found that rose essential oil improved symptoms in men suffering from depression-related sexual dysfunction, while a similar study on women found that sexual desire, sexual orgasms, and sexual satisfaction increased. Go on, pick up a bouquet from the corner bodega and scatter petals on your bed, it’s for your health, after all.
Articles from The Natural should not be considered medical advice. If you have any questions about your health, please consult a medical professional.