Thousands of years ago, while poets and lovers were flirting with the rose, Ayurvedic healers had already developed an intimate relationship with it.

They crushed it, juiced it, ground it, dried it, powdered it and preserved it to yield healing teas, potions, aromatic oils and fragrances. And they placed the rose on their honour roll by making some of their most beneficial rasayanas, or medicines, with it.

Triphala, which nourishes all seven dhatus (or tissues), is one such rasayana.

Why is the rose unique?
Ayurveda believes that every edible substance -- be it vegetable, fruit, spice or herb -- has a unique prakriti (or set of qualities).

~ Bananas are heavy and sweet, so they correct Vata imbalances.

~ Ginger increases heat, which makes it beneficial for Kapha types.

~ Roses, on their part, have a cooling prakriti, which makes them especially beneficial for calming down the Pitta dosha, which is associated with fire, heat, anger, ambition, and stress.

In summer, when Pitta tends to spiral out of control, roses are invaluable.

That is not all. The gentle rose is a tridoshic flower, which means it is perfectly safe and beneficial for all three body types.