Many of us are familiar with Thai herbs, which are known for their myriad benefits. Besides being used as fragrances, these herbs also have various medicinal applications, such as the Damask rose. Not only known for its captivating scent, information from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine suggests that Damask rose can be used as an aqueous adjuvant to enhance the efficacy of other medications. Various preparations can be made with it such as boiling the rose, combining it with honey, making rose water, floral water, or boiled ginger water. The product derived from Damask rose is commonly used in traditional recipes for treating fever, weakness, and as a tonic.

     In addition, Damask rose is also used for health maintenance. It can be incorporated into food, drinks, and cosmetics. The rose petals can be used in food preparations, as a food coloring, or to add fragrance to dishes such as Damask rose crispy rice, soaked rice, or rose water drinks, which are known to promote heart health, quench thirst, relieve fatigue, act as a mild laxative, and provide strength.

     In cosmetics, Damask rose products, including rose water and fragrances, have a soothing scent that helps relieve stress. Traditional aromatic compounds extracted from flowers such as Damask roses and jasmine have long been used. Rose talcum powder not only beautifies the face and adds a pleasant scent to the skin but can also effectively alleviate itching due to the incorporation of traditional Thai medicines. These uses present the opportunity for economic value creation.

     Those interested can obtain more information from the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine or participate in the 20th National Herbal Expo from June 28 to July 2, 2023, at Hall 11 - 12, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi province, from 10.00 - 20.00. For more details, visit the National Herbal Expo's Facebook Fanpage or Website: https://natherbexpo.dtam.moph.go.th, or Tel. +66 2149 5649, +66 2149 5696.

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