Rose ~ Herb of the Year 2012

The rose, favorite flower of many, is the Herb of the Year for 2012. 

Each year the International Herb Association chooses one herb to be featured for the year.  Last year it was horseradish, and you will note that my blog was largely silent on that one other than perhaps a post announcing it being the Herb of the Year.  Horseradish isn't something I use often or grow (though I did consider planting it just for fun ... it never happened, and it's probably just as well).  Roses, however, are just up my herbal alley so to speak.  I love roses- growing them, creating with them, even cooking with them to some extent.  This year you will likely find quite a few rosey posts here at Still Room Herbs.  

I only have one rose bush growing at our home at present, but plan to remedy that in just a few short weeks.  My family moved in October and the yard here is sadly devoid of roses or most any other useful herbs. It is a blessing in some ways since I have a blank canvas for designing and planting to my heart's content.
The rose pictured above is called Nearly Wild and is the one I planted here this fall.  It grew in a large terracotta pot for several years before I put it into the ground this October, and seemed to be quite content being container grown.  It blooms off and on throughout the year, even sometimes in the midst of winter (of course, that would be a heart of Texas winter).  I'll be sharing more about growing roses in a few weeks, but in the meantime here is a link to some great rose info. at the International Herb Association site. Lots of helpful advice on herbs can be found on their webpage.

Since it isn't planting season for most of us, I thought I'd repost a simple recipe that features roses, in the form of rosewater today.  The ingredients are fairly easy to come by, either from visiting a local herb shop or natural foods store or by mail order.  This is one of the first things I made when I started learning about creating my own herbal bath and body products, and something I still make and use today.  It smells lovely, soothes and softens the skin, and only takes minutes to mix up.

Rosewater Moisturizer

Mix together:

4 oz. rosewater
1 tsp. glycerin
1/2 tsp. grapeseed oil (you could add a bit more if you have dry skin)
a few drops of rose and/or lavender essential oil (optional)

I mix this in a small plastic bottle with a squirt type lid.  

Shake well before using.

Note: this doesn't make a thick, creamy lotion .. but it's very soothing to the skin and smells lovely. 

If you have a favorite variety of rose growing in your garden, please share it with me.  I am spending cold winter evenings with cups of tea and my garden catalogs making my yearly wish list!  

Winter Blessings,

Catherine