Overview
Rose is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for tonsillitis. Gulab (Rose, Rosa centifolia) is extensively cultivated across India. The flowers are 4-5 inches across and highly fragrant. Rose water (Gulab Jal) is widely used in cooking, medicine, and cosmetics. Rose oil (Gulab ka Attar) is one of the most expensive essential oils. The flower petals are used in Gulkand (rose petal preserve), which is cooling and useful in Pitta disorders. Roses come in various colors - red, pink, white, yellow. The red rose is most commonly used medicinally. The rose hips are also nutritious. Rosa alba (Sevanti Gulab) is the white variety used as a mild laxative. Dose: Gulkand 2-4 tola. Verse: 11-13.
How Rose Helps with Tonsillitis
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Rose has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing tonsillitis:
- Potency (Virya): Cooling
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Sweet
- Taste (Rasa): Bitter, pungent, astringent
- Qualities (Guna): Dry, light
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter, pungent, astringent
- Quality (Guna)
- Dry, light
- Potency (Virya)
- Cooling
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Sweet
- Dosha Effect
- Vata, Pitta & Kapha balanced
- Key Constituents
- Essential oils Citronellol, geraniol, eugenol Organic acids Gallic Tannins (10–24%) Flavonoids Quercetin (Holmes 1989)
- Also Known As
- English: Rose, Cabbage Rose
Sanskrit: शतपत्री, तरुणी, कर्णिका, चारुकेशिनी
Hindi: गुलाब - Dhatu
- Plasma, blood, nerve, reproductive
- Srotas
- Female reproductive, circulatory, nervous
▶ Classical Text References (1 sources)
With flowers of kubjaka (rose), ashoka, shala (sal tree), amra (mango), priyangu, nalina (lotus), and utpala (blue lotus), combined with haritaki, krisna (black pepper), pathya (haritaki), and amalaka (gooseberry).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
Mango and jambu (rose apple) flowers — with their juice, harenuka should be ground.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
Piles, due to the action of the aggravated Vayu, are non-exuding, rose-coloured, and uneven in their surface.
— Sushruta Samhita, Nidana Sthana, Chapter 2: Arsas Nidanam - Haemorrhoids (Piles)
The Vataja Type Piles, due to the action of the aggravated Vayu, are non-exuding, rose-coloured, and uneven in their surface.
— Sushruta Samhita, Arsas Nidanam - Haemorrhoids (Piles)
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga); Nidana Sthana, Chapter 2: Arsas Nidanam - Haemorrhoids (Piles); Arsas Nidanam - Haemorrhoids (Piles)
Safety & Precautions
Safety: It may reduce the absorption of iron (Harkness & Bratman 2003).
Other Herbs for Tonsillitis
See all herbs for tonsillitis on the Tonsillitis page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.