Damascene Roses in Herbal Medicine

Stanley Gibbons: PK 1185

A Pakistani postage stamp featuring a Damascene Rose is likely to leave one surprised, even more so over the fact that it’s listed amongst medicinal plants of Pakistan.

There were several questions which needed to be answered. How did roses of Damascus make it to Pakistan? How did they get naturalised to the extent that they made their way into herbal healing? And how are they used in folk medicine? I started digging through Hakeemi, Ayurvedic and Pakistani folk medicine, which are often used in combination with each other and made some very interesting discoveries.

To start with the name, the Gulab-e-Damishq, or Gulab-e-Surkh (The Damascene Rose), is not really from Damascus! This particular strain of roses is likely to have originated in the foothills of Central Asia and/or Iran, both of which fall in Pakistan’s neighbourhood.

There is evidence that it developed as a hybrid between Rosa Moschata and Rosa Gallica strains. It became widely known as the Damascena Rosa because Damascus, Syria, was historically famed for its beautiful roses.

The flower and its derivatives spread through regions connected by trade over the Indian Ocean, as well as military campaigns. Moreover, the fact that the flower is mentioned in Unani (traditional Iranian medicine), Hakeemi (local folk medicine), Ayurvedic medicine, and traditional Islamic medicinal practices further proves the idea that the species is, or has been, native to modern-day Pakistan for several hundred, if not thousands of years.

Arq-e-Gulab (Rose Water) has cooling properties and is thus used to treat heat-related ailments and fevers. Both an antiseptic and a coolant, rose water is also used to treat acne breakouts.

In Pakistani folk medicine, Gulkand (rose jam) is used as a remedy for gastric issues, such as acidity. It is also a mild laxative, so it is used to treat constipation.

Dried rose petals and Arq-e-Gulab are also used to regulate menstrual bleeding. They have also been noted to ease breathing difficulties such as bronchial congestion.

Traditionally, a popular medicated eyewash to treat Pink Eye Infections (Aashob-e-Chashm) was made with fresh roses, burnt cadmia, saffron, opium, antimony, copper, spikenard, myrrh, verdigris, gum Arabic, and rainwater. An eye ointment was also made using roses, lentils, and pomegranate peels.

The scent of roses and rose oil is known to calm the nerves and was thus used as a remedy for stress-induced headaches. It was also used to ease chest and abdominal pain, for it has digestive as well as circulatory benefits.

All in all, the Rose of Damascus is perhaps one of nature’s many miracles. Its therapeutic properties include anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, and antidepressant effects.

This stamp was published in 2003, designed by Baitul Hikmat, and printed by the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation.