The Rose of Jericho is an ancient herb known for its ability to “come back to life” after appearing dry and dead.
It is a common traditional medicine used to treat a wide range of illnesses in the Middle East, several regions of Europe, and other parts of the world. These include menstrual cramps, childbirth, arthritic pain, and metabolic and respiratory disorders, such as diabetes and bronchitis.
People also use it in religious and spiritual practices – sometimes in holy water – to protect themselves from disease and negative energy. Despite the plant’s many purported benefits, critics say there is little research to support these claims.
The scientific study that went into the Rose of Jericho’s advantages, safety, and application is disclosed in this article.
What is the Rose of Jericho?
People call the Jericho rose (Anastatica hierochuntica) by many names, such as Jericho rose, resurrection flower, resurrection fern, resurrection plant, Kaff Maryam, Maryam flower, hand of Mary, and hand of Fatima.
People often mistake it for a similar plant, Selaginella lepidophylla, also called Rose of Jericho. On the other hand, this plant is indigenous to Mexico and the United States’ Chihuahuan Desert. It is occasionally referred to as the “false” Rose of Jericho.
The original Jericho rose is a small flowering plant that grows up to 30 cm. Interestingly, people also consider it a weed due to its incredible resistance to drying. In fact, it can survive in extremely dry climates.
When exposed to desert environments with little humidity, the Jericho rose curls into a dry, weed-like ball. In this form it hibernates to protect its flowers inside. It does this until it gets water.
This repeated hibernation process has earned the Rose of Jericho the name “resurrection plant.” It symbolizes transformation, renewal and prosperity for people of many faiths, such as Christianity, Santeria and Hoooo.
It is used as a traditional medicine to ease labor and treat a variety of illnesses, such as diabetes, asthma, the common cold, menstrual cramps, and arthritis pain.
Usually, dried leaves and flowers or the seeds are used to make tea. It is also possible to purchase it in the form of oil or preparation to make holy water.
Potential benefits:
There are many health-related claims about the Jericho rose, but little research on the plant and its purported benefits.
Contains disease-fighting plant compounds known as flavonoids. In particular, it is rich in chlorogenic acid, quercetin, campherol, and luteolin, which studies show can reduce inflammation, arthritis pain, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
Nevertheless, there is insufficient data to determine whether Jericho rose tea or any of its variants contains sufficient amounts of these substances to have any medicinal value. Further study is required to determine the effects of the Rose of Jericho on people.
For example, most studies on quercetin have shown that it can have benefits at doses of 500 mg and above. Rose of Jericho might not be a good source of quercetin, though, as it has less than 50 mg of this compound per gram.
In addition to this, some people think that Jericho rose has anti-aging benefits due to its high antioxidant content. Nevertheless, there isn’t any data to back up its usage in over-the-counter skin care products or at-home procedures.
Finally, the rose of Jericho is famous for its use as an emmenagogue, an herb used to promote blood flow in the uterus.
A study of 460 Malaysian women found that 66% said they used Rose of Jericho during pregnancy, most often to ease labor. The study did not, however, investigate whether the Rose of Jericho served this function.
It is best to avoid taking rose of Jericho during pregnancy due to the unknown risks.
Therefore, scientists need to do much more research into the potential health benefits of the Jericho rose.
Uses and dosage:
People most commonly use the Jericho rose as a decorative plant and in various spiritual ceremonies. Many believe it:
- “resurrect” areas of your life
- lucky charm
- protects you from negative energies or situations
In traditional medicine, people most commonly consume it in the form of tea.
Few commercial products are available. That’s why most people make it at home by purchasing dried Jericho rose “flowers,” which are actually small bunches of the plant.
Some anecdotal sources say that you can add 1 tablespoon (about 2 grams) of dried leaves or flowers to boiled water and let it steep for about 5 minutes. However, you may want to use smaller quantities at first.
Few skin care companies sell products that contain rose of Jericho, which may make them difficult to find as a skin treatment. Furthermore, there is no reliable guide on preparing home remedies for skin care.
Safety and side effects:
To date, scientists have not done much research on the safety of rose of Jericho, whether ingested orally or applied to the skin.
Applying rose of Jericho directly to the skin has no known risks, but it is best to avoid applying it to cuts or open wounds.
If you have diabetes, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, or other metabolic conditions, be sure to talk to a healthcare professional before taking Rose of Jericho to lower blood sugar and blood pressure.
Additionally, Rose of Jericho is a traditional method of inducing labor, so you should consult your doctor before supplementing. At the moment there is insufficient evidence on its safety.
Always let your doctor know if you have previously used Rose of Jericho to induce labor. It is possible that it could interfere with the medications you receive during labor. Unfortunately, there is no research available on its potential drug interactions.
If you are interested in taking rose of Jericho, talk to your doctor first, particularly if you are pregnant or have a health problem.
The bottom line:
The Jericho rose is known as the resurrection plant for its ability to be reborn after long periods of drought. Many cultures and religions consider it a symbol of:
- Good luck
- positive energy
- renewal
- prosperity
People also use it in traditional medicine as a remedy for diabetes, respiratory problems, arthritis, and menstrual cramps, as well as to induce labor.
Despite numerous health claims about it, there is little research to support its use in treating or curing illnesses and diseases.
Because of its unknown safety and potential ability to induce labor, pregnant people should avoid it. However, if you are looking to induce labor, there are other natural methods you could try.
If you are taking medications or have a medical condition such as diabetes, you should avoid it.
If you are interested in trying Rose of Jericho, always talk to your doctor first to make sure it is safe for you.