Rose Lassi, Rose Milk, Rose Thirst Quencher – Recipe

According to the ayurvedic texts, it is not a coincidence that the rose is associated with romance, because it balances Sadhaka Pitta, the subdosha of Pitta that governs the emotions and their effect on the heart. Sadhaka Pitta can go out of balance more easily in summer, when the hot, humid weather increases all aspects of Pitta dosha—the mind-body operator that governs heat, digestion, and metabolism in the body.

So there’s a physiological reason that roses have been the ideal gift to express love and forgiveness for thousands of years. They literally soothe the heart and emotions. What may surprise you is that the rose also balances the mind. It enhances the coordination between Sadhaka Pitta and Prana Vata (the subdosha of Vata that governs the brain, head, chest, respiration, sensory perception, and the mind). Other properties are equally surprising.

The rose is cooling, yet it supports agni, the digestive fire. This is a unique quality which makes it balancing for all three doshas. These beneficial properties are not lost on modern researchers, who are investigating the effect of the rose in balancing hormones and supporting overall well-being. Essential rose oils used in aroma therapy are also being investigated for their health-promoting properties.

One traditional preparation of the rose is found in Organic Rose Petal Preserve. This product contains dozens and dozens of dried rose petals, making it a concentrated, potent means for balancing the emotions. The recipe for this delightful confection can be traced back to a time when royalty gave jars of rose petal preserve to their beloved if they wanted to inspire unconditional love. Later, the tradition evolved into our present-day habit of giving roses on Valentine’s Day or just to say “I love you.” Organic Rose Petal Preserve actually acts as a powerful tonic for the heart. By balancing Sadhaka Pitta, it supports positive emotions, and intensifies the experience of happiness and bliss.

We call it “Love in a Jar,” because even if you are angry at someone, you can take a teaspoon of Organic Rose Petal Preserve, and it will help you to start thinking more loving thoughts. An ayurvedic expert from The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians notices this in his interaction with persons interested in adopting Maharishi Ayurveda diet and lifestyle recommendations for better health and well-being. “When I come across a person who is feeling emotionally insecure, a little suspicious or sad for no reason, I recommend that the person take 1-2 teaspoons of Organic Rose Petal Preserve before thinking more about the problem. This immediately pacifies Sadhaka Pitta and right away the person starts to think more positively.”

If you have a mild Sadhaka Pitta imbalance, or just to cool your body in summer, you can carry rose oil or a blend such as Pitta Aroma Oil in an aroma locket. Or you could use Blissful Heart Therapeutic Aroma as aroma therapy while sleeping. Organic Pitta Tea also contains roses, and it helps balance Sadhaka Pitta, cool the body, soothe the mind, and settle the emotions. Organic Rose Petal Preserve can also be added to milk or can be added to sweet lassi to make a delicious summertime drink. Try these recipes.

Sweet Rose Petal Lassi
3 parts water
1 part freshly-made yogurt
1 heaping tsp. Organic Rose Petal Preserve

Blend together for a soothing summer drink, or to pacify Pitta all year round.

Rose Petal Milk
1 cup milk
1 tsp. Organic Rose Petal Preserve

Be sure to boil the milk and let it cool before adding the preserve. Boiling the milk makes it more digestible, but if it’s too hot when you add the preserve, it will destroy the rose’s delicate properties. You can drink this before bed to help balance Sadhaka Pitta and produce a more restful, sweeter, deeper sleep.

Rose Petal Thirst Quencher
If you are feeling the effects of the hot summer sun, have to skip a meal for some reason, or naturally have Pitta dosha predominating, it can be challenging to keep cool. Any time you feel extra thirsty and dry-mouthed, even when you keep drinking water, try this summer thirst quencher.

2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. fennel
1 pod cardamom seeds (crushed but not powdered)
1 small piece of licorice root
1 Tbsp. Organic Rose Petal Preserve

Boil milk and other ingredients, except the preserve, for five minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Mix in one tablespoon of Organic Rose Petal Preserve. Sip the milk throughout the day. If you are lactose-sensitive, you can use water instead of milk.

The Rose Petal Thirst Quencher is inexpensive and simple to make, but it has many benefits. It works quickly, because you inhale the aroma of the rose as you drink it, injecting every cell of your body with rose essence. It can also help balance acidity. It’s a good drink to sip before going to bed in summer, or any time Sadhaka Pitta is out of balance, which can cause you to toss, turn, and wake up before you are fully rested. Anyone who is feeling irritated all the time could benefit from this drink. You could drink it twice a day. This mixture can also support memory, because it promotes the coordination between heart and mind and nourishes the mind with its pleasant flavor and aroma. So it’s a healthy drink for people of all ages, from children to the elderly.

For women, sipping this drink before and during menstruation can help stabilize the emotions. It also has a long-term effect, because the Organic Rose Petal Preserve enlivens all the body tissues by enlivening the cell-regeneration process, and especially supports the reproductive (shukra) tissues. Finally, because the rose is one of the best sources for water-soluble fiber, Organic Rose Petal Preserve and any of the drinks that contain it help cleanse the intestines and alleviate occasional constipation.