'Briar Rose'

I love all flowers ...but more than anything I love wild flowers, and top of my list is this gorgeous 'Dog Rose (R. canina). I love the complete simplicity of it...very pure with the deep yellow stamens in the centre.
The Dog Rose provides blooms, hips and leaves for medicine. It was believed that a poultice made from the leaves of the Dog Rose bush could be used to cure dog bites. From the 10th century onwards rose water from this variety was used to treat colds and flu. During the Second World War in Great Britain the hips from the Dog Rose were used as a source of vitamicin C. I also remember in the sixties I used to go to the Chemist and buy from the Pharmacist department a bottle of Rose Water that I used as a toner for my face. I don't know if they still do it. Probably not!

A busy day today...my two hour yoga class this morning, coffee with friends and then I went to the flicks again to see 'Belle' which again had poor reviews but I enjoyed. Tomorrow I will dust!