CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

DAMASK ROSE

Description. The damask rose grows not so tall, not so large, as the white, but yet taller and fuller of prickles than the red, especially about the stalk. The leaves are shiter and more hairy. the flowers are less double than the provence rose, and the beards prickly. They are of a pale red colour, and of a most pleasant scent.

Place. It is a native of France, and is common in our gardens.

Time. It blossoms in June and July.

Government and virtues. It is under the dominion of Venus. Botanists describe a vast number of roses, but this, and the comon red rose, and the dog rose, or hip, are the only kinds regarded in medicine. There is a syrup made from the flowers of the damask rose, by infusing them twenty-four hours in boiling water, and then after straining off the liquor, adding twice its weight of refined sugar to it. This syrup is an excellent purge for children, and there is not a better medicine for grown people of a costive habit, for a small quantity of it taken every night will keep the bowels soluble, and constantly open. There is a conserve made of the unripe flowers, which has nearly the same properties as the syrup; there is likewise a conserve made with the fruit of the wild or dog rose, which is very pleasant, and of considerable efficacy for common colds and coughs. The flowers of the common red rose dried, are given in infusions, and sometimes in powder, against overflowings of the menses, spitting of blood, and other hæmorrhages. There is likewise an elegant tincture made from them by pouring a pint of boiling water on half an ounce of the dried petals, and adding fifteen drops of the oil of vitriol and three or four drachms of the finest sugar in powder, after which they are to be stirred together, and left to cool leisurely. This tincture, when poured clear off, is of a beautiful red colour. It may be taken to the amount of three or spoonfuls, twice or three times a day, for strengthening the stomach, and preventing vomiting. It is likewise a powerful and pleasant remedy in immoderate discharges of the menses, and all other fluxes and hæmorrhages.

The damask rose, on account of its fragrancy, belongs to the cephalics: but the next valuable virtue it possesses consists in its cathartic quality. After the water, which is a good cordial, is drawn off in a hot still, the remaining liquor strained, will make a very good purging syrup from two drachms to one ounce. An infusion made of half a drachm to two drachms of the dried leaves, answers the same purpose.