Roses for an Open Heart

As the weather in the Mojave has become unusually warm, my whole being starts searching for and day dreaming of spring. And the spring that I know is the Pacific Northwest spring where 1000’s of plants wake up at once. And in an instant, a thick fog of plant life awakens the senses. You can feel it in the air, you can feel it when you talk to people, you can feel it restructure your thougths. Suddenly everyone has more energy, the laughter is deeper, the connections feel closer, an excitement in the heart awakens.

I recently read that one of the things that keep people out of depression is to have something to look forward to.  And what a beautiful thing to look forward to - the next season and all the beauty it carries.

And somewhere tucked within the smell of fresh leaves, and soil, and grass, and the many many flowers… the smell of rose peeks out.

So lush, and clear… her beauty is in her confidence and her ability to pierce us right in the heart with her purity, her clarity and her kindness. She shares all of herself.  The rose is truly the flowered embodiment of love. I can’t think of a time in my life where the scent of a rose didn’t deeply effect me. 

The Health Benefits of Rose

Emotionally
There is a reason roses have always been associated with matters of the heart!
Studies have found that the essential oil of rose helps with depression, post-partum depression, soothes and calms the nerves.  The scent is also thought to increase love, compassion & devotion. 

Topically
The rose carries a compound called farnesol which is a great bacteria fighter and helps with cell regeneration.  Roses contain vitamins A, B, E, C, & K as well as iron and other minerals, all of which greatly fight redness, inflammation, signs of aging.  Rose slows down oxidation of skin cells and helps build collagen making it perfect for dry and aging skin.

Internally
A diuretic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and blood tonic. The rose is helpful for boosting immunity, help tone the kidneys, regulate female hormones, and increase bile production.

Energetically
The beautiful rose nourishes the heart, helps one work through any type of heart healing or heart strengthening, all heart chakra work, brings a feeling of belonging, confidence in love, grace. The rose reconnects and creates a map back to your true self. 

Cultivating Compassion

Daily wellness practices to help open the heart

• When applying your daily moisturizer: Use that time to smile at yourself in the mirror and feel kindness and love toward yourself, no matter how you are feeling.
  Try doing this every day in February.
  

• Tell someone something you appreciate about them each day this month. (ex: It means a lot that you make me coffee in the morning, I enjoy talking to you, thank you for making me laugh. I appreciate all that you do. etc..) Notice anything that comes up from this act.