Step by Step Rose Elixir by Kiva Rose Rose Elixir is both a medicine and a wonderful tasting treat. Many people like it just for the exquisite taste, but also find it to be an indispensable remedy. As an added bonus, it’s very simple to make and even my eight year old daughter, Rhiannon, is now quite proficient at making her own each year. Being a great fan of the simpler’s methods of herbal medicine making, my measurement are approximate. Adjust to taste and feel free to experiment and see what tastes and feels best for you! Once you’ve mastered the recipe you might consider making quart jars full, because it really is THAT good. Ingredients  For your elixir, it’s helpful to have on hand: A pint canning jar (or other glass jar that seals well)  Fresh rose petals (the more aromatic the better, and either wild or domestic varieties will work, you can also use a mix of colors and types for the beauty and taste) CAREFUL to make sure the roses are not sprayed with herbicides.  About a pint of high quality brandy (the better the brandy, the better your elixir will taste)  Appr. 1/3 pint of raw honey (preferably local, and of a lighter wildflower type since darker honeys can muffle the rose taste a bit)  A good stirring spoon Step by Step Instructions First, fill your jar all the way to the top with Rose petals, you don’t have to pack them in but push them down a bit to minimize the air space in the jar. Don’t forget to stop and smell the Roses! Take a deep breath of the healing scent and revel in the gorgeous colors and textures of the petals. Now, pour the honey in slowly, stirring as necessary, until the petals are well coated. Next, fill to the top with brandy, against stirring as necessary to remove air bubbles and fill the jar evenly.

Now cover the jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake carefully to finish the mixing process. Let macerate in a cool, dark place for four to six weeks (or as long as you can stand to wait. When straining, reserve both liquid and the Rose petals. The petals will be infused with honey and brandy and make a tasty treat to top a cake or fruit salad, or just to be eaten plain and with great relish. Optional Additions  Warming spices such as fresh Ginger, Beebalm (Monarda spp.) flowers, Orange peel, Cinnamon powder/sticks or Cardamom pods can add flavor and zing to the elixir, especially if you find Rose too cooling for your temperament. It’s easiest to add small amounts (to taste) after you add the honey and before you add the brandy.  Hawthorn or Cherry flowers can be mixed with the Rose petals for a formula that’s extra effective in the treatment of cardiac weakness, heart palpitations, high blood pressure as well as grief and heartbreak.  Evening Primrose flowers contribute a delicate floral taste, enhance the nervine and anti-spasmodic effects as well as making the elixir more effective for external treatment of burns and bug bites. Because Evening Primrose blooms later than Roses in most places, you may wish to simply leave you elixir to macerate until the Evening Primrose is in bloom and just add them in. Or, you can go ahead and strain it and just macerate the Evening Primrose directly in the Rose Elixir. A Few Medicinal Suggestions  As a medicine, Rose is cooling and drying, and is a classic anti-inflammatory for any part of the body, but with special emphasis on the digestive, reproductive and circulatory systems.  Rose Elixir is relaxing and uplifting at the same time and can be used in almost any case of trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, heartbreak and chronic stress and fatigue to good effect. I carry a small bottle with me at all times and us it very similarly to Rescue Remedy for its soothing and recuperative effects.  This aromatic and tasty flower is also known for its ability to help restore a healthy balance of flora in the gut, and to resolve many gastric disturbances. It is especially useful in cases of excess heat where the tip of the tongue (an extension of the digestive tract, after all) is red and there are sensations of heat or burning in the belly.  The whole rose family is quite effective in the treatment of viruses, especially eruptive childhood viruses like chickenpox and any bug that manifests with abundant heat and inflammation and the Rose is no exception to that.  Externally, Rose is a superb wound and burn healer, and the honey reinforces its ability to resolve or prevent infection, to lessen inflammation and assist in the regeneration of new tissue. It also works great on itchy bug bites of all kinds and can even be very helpful for many venomous stings and bites.