Dr. Jayanthi Ramdas

Rose is probably the first flower that comes to our mind when we think of flowers. Associated with a variety of relationships including love, friendship, peace, etc., it holds a special place across all celebrations. Not many however, are aware about the wonderful medicinal properties that it has. Whether it is used in liquid, paste, oil or powder form, it has multiple benefits. Read on to know some of the multiple benefits that a rose has.

It is widely grown with very limited climatic restrictions and so it is time to reap the benefits of this simple, readily available flower.

1. Rose powder mixed with fuller earth and rose water is one of the most common household face packs in use.
2. Pure rose water is one of the best skin cleansing agents.
3. The petals of the rose can be made into a paste and applied to control sweating.
4. The dried rose petals can be crushed and made into a paste by adding rose water and further applied on wounds to promote healing.
5. Dried rose petals can be mixed with milk and consumed to reduce acidity and treat stomach ulcers
6. The tincture made from rose petals is useful in diarrhoea
7. Rose buds are used in preparing a decoction which is highly useful in relieving constipation
8. Herbal tea prepared using rose petals is consumed to treat acidity, burning sensation in the body, dryness of the oral cavity and is effective against treating infection in the intestine
9. Rose water can be used as eye drop as they help in reducing burning and irritation
10. Rose petals can be boiled and used for gargling, as it is extremely beneficial in relieving sore throat and cough
11. Rose buds are rich in vitamin C and useful in preventing scurvy and cough and cold problems
12. Pure rose oil is one of the common essential oils and is used to treat insomnia and reduce blood pressure.
13. The rose oils are used in various creams to treat skin inflammation
14. Rose oil is also widely used in various cosmetics (soaps, creams, lotions) for their multiple benefits

How to store your roses?

Given its benefit on various body organs, it generally finds its place in most homes.

1. After watering the night prior, cut the flower diagonally before the sun is up fully
2. Remove the petals carefully after clearing moisture and insects
3. Place a wet paper towel in an airtight container and spread the rose petals on it and close the box
4. Keep it in the fridge for up to a week before use
5. The dried leaves can be used in essential oils as it further enriches the oils
6. The oil has various uses and can be stored in an airtight container for months 

   If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a doctor.

Diabetes is also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic diseases, which raises the glucose level in the blood. If suffering from diabetes, parts of your body might get affected with other diseases as well, like bad eyesight, etc. 

Diabetes is of 3 types:

1. Type 1 Diabetes: where your body stops insulin production.
2. Type 2 Diabetes: where your body does not produce enough insulin to function on or where the cells of your body do not react toward the insulin produced
3. Gestational Diabetes: This is the diabetes you or your partner may suffer from during pregnancy.

Suffering from diabetes can make your lifestyle extremely difficult as you will have to go through a lot of restrictions. In order to avoid diabetes and its various outcomes, here are some tips you can follow:

1. Keep your weight in control: Make sure you are of the right weight according to your height. If you are more than what you should weigh, and you are creeping towards obesity, you have a high chance of succumbing to diabetes. If you are already obese, start working towards losing weight. Even if you lose 5% of your weight, you will slash the risk of having diabetes by 70%. 
2. Walk: No exercise is better and easier than walking. Try walking as much as you can. Walking will help you reduce the risk of getting affected with diabetes. If you walk for around 35 minutes every day, you are cutting down the risk of diabetes by almost 30%. Walking, being an exercise, helps your body use the insulin produced in your body more efficiently. 
3. Drink coffee: Coffee, unlike common belief of being harmful, is actually very beneficial when it comes to keeping diabetes at bay. Coffee contains caffeine, which is believed to improve metabolism. Coffee also has potassium, magnesium and various antioxidants which enable the cells to absorb glucose. Drinking coffee regularly might lower the risk of diabetes by 29%.
4. Get proper rest at night: If you sleep for less than 6 hours every night, then the risk of you suffering from diabetes is doubled. But that doesn't mean you are supposed to oversleep. If you sleep more than 8 hours, the risk of being affected with it rises to almost 75%. Hence sleep at least for 6 to 8 hours each night for a healthy life sans diabetes.