Importance in Social Life
The importance of the rose in the literary world and religion. has been emphasised to a great extent, in the introduction and chapter on 'Roses Through the Ages'. Though the rose is not_grown as widely as such other flowers as jasmine or marigold, but it is still loved by all Indians irrespective of religion, caste, or economic status. One reason why it is not cultivated widely is the difficulty in getting good quality plants and the cost which is beyond the reach of many people. Moreover, many people do not have the proper know-how about the cultivation of roses. Although the rose is a comparatively hardy plant, to grow it successfully a certain amount of expertise is essential. Once these difficulties are removed, this flower will be grown more widely than ever. In spite of the difficulties stated, the queen of flowers is ever popular with the Indian masses. It is preferred to many others because of its beauty, fragrance and astonishing range of shape and colour. Except black and true blue, any other 'colour and a blend of various colours may be fold in this popular flower, However, in U.S.A., the rose does not top as a cut flower, taking a back seat in preference to 'mums' (chrysanthemum) and probably carnations, as the life of a cut rose is much shorter than these flowers. One other reason for the popularity of this flower may be due to the fact that Pandit Nehru was fond of roses and every morning sported one in his buttonhole. The untiring efforts on the part of Dr. B.P. Pal, one of our top agricultural scientists, to evolve new varieties and publicising and populapising this flower has definitely contributed towards its wide acceptability in recent times. His efforts has encouraged other people to start scientific investigation and breeding on roses.
It was mainly the Mughal rulers of India who introduced this flower into this country. With the discovery of Attar-i-Jehangiri by Nur Jehan, its popularity increased. Huge quantities of rose petals used to be sent to the Mughal Emperors for personal use. The Kings and .Begunis used to bathe in rose water. It was during one such bath that Nur-Jehan discovered drops of rose oil on the surface of water.
Since the flower is so popular and so much in use in our daily lives, methods have been developed to dry rose bloom's in their natural colour and use them as long as desired for decoration. The roses are dried with a small stem in standing position in a glass jar with the help of silica gel. The National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow has standardised the method 'for/this and a bulletin is available describing the procedure.
Commercial Preparations
There are several economic and commercial uses of rose products. The rose was used as a medicine even in ancient times. Culpeper (1616) said that every part of rose could be used as a medicine. He found that a decoction of red roses in combination with wine is good for headache, pain of eyes, throat and gums. Peasants in Calabria in Italy, make a liquor from roses which is not only intoxicating but also provokes sexual excitement. During the last world war vitamin C was extracted from rose hips. Some wild and cultivated roses produce hips in abundance. About 150 mg of ascorbic acid (i.e., Vit. C) is said to be obtained from 100 g of rose-hip syrup. Compared to this, raw orange juice has only about 20 mg. Rose water is used in eye lotions And eye drops even in-modern medicine for its soothing effect. it is also used to malice soothing summer drinks.
Rose-oil or 'ono' of roses is prepared from roses. For the preparation of rose water, rose oil or attar, freshly opened flowers are plucked early in the morning before sunrise. Flowers plucked late in the day are used for the preparation of other rose conserves. The roses which yield rose oil of perfumery grade are Rosa damascena (Damask rose), R. alba and R. centifolia (the cabbage• rose). In India the 'Rose Edouard' a variety of R. bourboniana (popularly known as ‘Baramasi' or `Chenia') is also used.
The conserves made out of rose in India are Gulkhand, Pankhuri and Gulroghan hair oil. Out of these, the first is most
popular and used as an ingredient in the preparation of pan (betel- leaf). This product is valued for its properties As ,a tonic and laxative. Normally petals of 'Rose Edouvc1.' are *iise41er Its pre, paration. However, many other people tisi— a0Iscenidd rose for this purpose. The product is prepared by.pounding equal quanti- ties of rose petals and white sugar over a ...g6ittie heat. To conserve the delicate perfume heating may be ..iistiidetTS-7-the 'dried rose petals are commonly called Pankhuri and used to prepare Sherbat during summer. Scented roses are preferred for-this purpose.
No comments:
Post a Comment