Herbal Medicine in Stamps: History of Rosa Canina Through Philately
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Galore International Journal of Health Sciences and Research Vol.2; Issue: 4; Oct.-Dec. 2017 Website: www.gijhsr.com Invited Review Paper P-ISSN: 2456-9321 Herbal Medicine in Stamps: History of Rosa Canina through Philately Özüm ERKİN1 1PhD, Research Assistant, Ege University, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Public Health Nursing, 35100, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT world's population is treated with natural remedies. [3] Rosa canina, known as "dog The fruit (hips) of R. canina have long been rose" in English and "kuşburnu" in Turkish, recognized for their medicinal and nutritional grows wild in various parts of the world and value. R. canina is native to Europe, produces fruit called rose hips. [2,3] Rose western/central Asia, and northern Africa, and hips have been used in many cultures for rose hips have been used in many cultures for centuries, and are referred to in Tibetan centuries. Recommendations for its use exist in medicine, the works of Avicenna, and even Tibetan medicine, and mentioned in the works [4] of Avicenna, and even in manuscripts of biblical in manuscripts from biblical times. The times. More recently, R. canina hips were used dog rose was a symbol of good luck and in syrup form to prevent scurvy during World strength in the middle Ages. It was believed War II. The importance of R. canina is reflected that burning rose hip incense would ward in philately. Stamps are labels used to show off evil spirits, and houses were ritually payment of postage fees, but their graphic decorated with dog rose blossoms during designs also serve to depict the cultural aspects spring festivals. [4] During World War II, R. of the issuing country and society. The aim of canina hips were used in syrup form to this study was to show the historical importance prevent scurvy. [5] of the medicinal and aromatic plant R. canina For centuries, roses have been used through stamps. A search of the most respected resources of the philately world (Scott and for their cosmetic, medicinal, aromatic, and culinary properties. [4] R. canina is a species Michel catalogues) revealed twenty three stamps [5] related to R. canina issued by nineteen countries from the Rosaceae family. The species is worldwide. It is recommended to use stamps as native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, but is an inexpensive but attention-getting promotional now present all over the world. Rose hips item for healthcare providers and the public to are used as a food throughout the world as introduce medicinal and aromatic plants. well as in the treatment of many medical diseases as herbal medicine. Rose hips are Key words: Rosa canina, dog rose, history, most commonly dried to make tea or made stamps, philately into marmalade, or can be eaten directly as fruit. [3] They can also be used to make syrup, sauce, soup, wine, brandy, or INTRODUCTION vermouth. Since antiquity, various natural Rose hips contain vitamins A, B1, resources have been used for medical B2, B3, and K, tannins, and flavonoids. purposes. Herbs have traditionally played a They have been used in folk medicine as key role in both medicine and public health. [1] anti-fever, anti-arthritis, laxative, anti-gout, Herbs were found to be therapeutically diuretic and anti-cold and also as a cure for valuable due either to their inhibitory effects vitamin C deficiency. [6] Rose hips are on pathogens or their positive effects on the [2] claimed to be beneficial in the treatment of human body. The World Health various conditions including nephralgia and Organization estimated that 75-80% of the cystalgia (kidney and bladder disorders), Galore International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (www.gijhsr.com) 1 Vol.2; Issue: 4; October-December 2017 Özüm ERKİN. Herbal Medicine in Stamps: History of Rosa Canina through Philately hypertonia, bilious and liver problems, enteritis, and anorexia. [7] Fresh rose hip ROSA CANINA IN STAMPS pulp is applied to inflamed skin to facilitate A postage stamp is a generally wound healing. It is effective in the square or rectangular label used throughout treatment of rheumatism and joint disorders the world to show that postage has been and the relief of rheumatism pain have been paid. In addition to the revolution that the proven by clinical investigations. It boosts appearances of the postage stamp lead to in immunity against cancer and heart diseases. the world and in Turkey, the stamp also Rose hip tea is recommended for patients became a hobby for collectors as well as an with enteritis. Rose hip is also administered investment tool. [14,15] As a communications to patients with bronchitis, cold, flu, and tool, the stamp has many other functions feverish states. [6,7] It cleans and prevents besides acting as a substitute for postage staining in the lungs and opens the bronchi, fee. [14,16] The most important of these especially in bronchitis. Rose hip is used to functions is its role as an advertisement tool treat urinary tract infections and reduces and as a cultural reflection of the issuing pain and burning during urination. [6,7] country through the graphics featured on it. The literature shows that health care Postage stamp design is a visual providers have generally positive attitudes communication art whose primary purpose towards herbs but do not have inadequate is to transmit a message. [14,15] Postage knowledge about their application. [8,9] It stamps have been used as visual was reported that 67% of Taiwanese nursing promotional tools to draw attention to students were found to have knowledge of medicinal and aromatic plants in many Chinese medicine and herbs. [10] In Turkey, countries. These stamps, printed and sold therapeutic use of herbal products is between 1945 and 2005, provided an common among women and increases with important service in introducing R. canina age. [11] A nursing study from Turkey as a medicinal and aromatic plant both at the reported that 36% of cancer patients use national and international level. [15,16,17,18] In supportive treatments like herbs. [12] the present study, a search of the most Another Turkish study conducted with respected sources of the philately world nursing students reported that students had (Scott and Michel catalogues) yielded positive attitudes towards alternative twenty three stamps and two first day covers treatments, but had inadequate information depicting R. canina and rose hips from on this subject. [9] A study of Turkish nineteen countries: Austria, Bulgaria, medical students determined that they do Croatia, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Great not have enough knowledge about Britain, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Poland, medicinal herbs, although rose hip was the Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, Soviet most commonly recognized herb among the Union, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, medical students. [8] Medicinal and aromatic and Yugoslavia. [17,18,19,20] herbs are used as alternative medicine in In traditional Austrian medicine, Europe and Asia. However, most of the rose hips have been used internally as tea doctors in the United States of America are for treatment of viral infections and unaware of the effects and side effects of disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract. herbal medicines. [13] Lectures on the [21] The Dog Rose (Rosa canina) stamp was potential benefits and risks of herbs and sold by the Austrian post office on May their local application in the community 14th, 1948. The stamp was sold for 75+35 should be incorporated to the medical Austrian groschen (Figure 2). [17] In addition, curricula. [8] In this context, it is R. canina is one of the national symbols of recommended to use stamps as a noticeable Romania. [22] The Romanian postage service and inexpensive promotional item for both has two stamps issued on R. canina (Figures healthcare providers and the public. 4 and 19). The first stamps were expired on Galore International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (www.gijhsr.com) 2 Vol.2; Issue: 4; October-December 2017 Özüm ERKİN. Herbal Medicine in Stamps: History of Rosa Canina through Philately November 25th, 1959 and sold for 1.75 shown in Figure 8. R. canina was Romanian leu. The second stamp was listed introduced in Czechoslovakia (1965) by the on a plant series and expired on March 30th, stamp in their plants series (Figure 9). The 1993. [17] dog rose is illustrated as part of a The high vitamin C content of rose commemorative set issued for the hips was utilized during World War II. International Congress of Pharmacology When Britain was unable to import fresh held in Prague in 1971 (Figure 10). [23] citrus fruits, the government organized the In Bulgaria, where R. canina grows gathering of dog rose hips, which were in abundance, the hips are used to make a known to be a rich source of vitamin C. [23] sweet wine as well as tea. [24] The Bulgarian Processed into syrup the rose hips helped to stamp named Rosa canina is listed in a prevent scurvy and, today, the plant is medicinal plants series. The stamp was sold valued as a rich source of vitamin C. R. for 43 Bulgarian stotinka (Figure 15). [19] canina has also appeared on British stamps. The R. canina stamp was also introduced in [20, 23] The colorful illustrations of the Turkey in 2001 as part of a series on flowers of Great Britain were the subjects of medicinal plants (Figure 20). [16] A first day Michael Goman’s vivid designs for the stamp cover of those stamps is shown in stamps, which were put on sale on August Figure 21. [16] Hips of R. canina are used as 5th, 1964 to mark the 10th International a flavoring in the Slovenian soft drink Botanical Congress held in Edinburgh from Cocktail (Figure 22).