Gulkand (Rose Petal Jam): benefits, recipe, how to take

Due to increasing awareness and interest in health concerns, antioxidants and free radicals have become quite a common name in almost every industry. Whether it is healthcare or cosmetics, everybody wants to cash on the natural brilliance antioxidant substances are. If you don’t know it yet, free radicals are reactive oxygen species developed in our body due to normal metabolic processes and increase due to stress and lifestyle factors. Increased free radical count negatively affects body organs and poses a threat of diseases like diabetes, obesity and heart ailments. Antioxidants are the compounds that scavenge these free radicals and help maintain a healthier body function.

Studies indicate that gulkand hosts a band of antioxidants which include flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and saponins. Why opt for antioxidant supplements when you can get them from such yummy sources.

Gulkand is traditionally known to be a cooling formulation which balances pitta dosha, This means that it aids in calming digestive fire and thus stomach acidity.  It is also used for the treatment of stomach ulcers and gastric inflammation along with relieving constipation.

In vivo (animal based) studies demonstrate that rose extracts have a laxative effect thus confirming the ayurvedic claim. Furthermore, the antibacterial and antioxidant effects of roses may be effective in alleviating peptic ulcers by inhibiting the growth of ulcer-causing bacteria and improving body’s own defence against such infections. It also strengthens the mucous membrane or the inner lining of the stomach, protecting it from the damaging effects of acidity.

It can be given safely to kids to relieve constipation and stomach problems. Since it is so palatable they might not be making much fuss over it.

Since gulkand is such a huge repository of antioxidants, it might also benefit your skin. Oxidative stress not only effects body function but also it leaches off the natural glow of your skin and leads to symptoms of premature ageing including dark spots and wrinkles. Taking gulkand regularly would help lift this excess stress from your skin, letting it heal itself and regain its youth.

Being an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent, it would help clear away any harmful bacteria from your skin and reduces symptoms of swelling and redness. Also, it may reduce pimples and acne.

A sweet dish that helps keep you young. What more can you ask for?

Obesity and weight issues are much frowned upon and they also increase the risk of various diseases including high cholesterol and hypertension. It is quite hard to shed all those pounds at once or without regular exercise and boring bland food. But what if you get a delicious dietary addition that helps your weight loss regime? In traditional medicine, taking gulkand regularly and along with some hot water is said to facilitate weight loss. Though there is no scientific evidence to back this claim, gulkand has some properties that may assist in promoting weight loss.

First, it is a digestive and carminative, which means it improves digestion and reduces bloating. Then, it is a laxative and helps avoid constipation and bowel inflammation. And finally, it is an antioxidant, a property that is being majorly linked to obesity prevalence in the modern scientific research.

In spite of all those benefits, it is best to refer a doctor to know the benefits or applications of gulkand in weight loss.

(Read more: Diet chart for weight loss)

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Most of us are too worried about one or the other hair problem and there are myriads of hair masks and tonics available everywhere. As an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, gulkand can indirectly promote hair health and defy premature hair greying but there is no sound evidence to support any of these claims. Instead of opting for gulkand, it is better to add some rosewater into your hair mask and reap all the benefits of roses for your hair.

Dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps is a normal manifestation of menstrual bleeding and a lot of women experience this problem regularly. However, debilitating pain may be pointing to an underlying condition that needs medical attention. In ayurveda, gulkand is used as a remedy for menstrual cramps. It has been found by research evidence that the mere aroma of roses is enough to provide relief from dysmenorrhea. Being an antibacterial, gulkand may also help in reducing the growth of infectious bacteria in the vagina.

So, goodbye menstrual problems and vaginal infections.

Rose flower is an excellent anti-inflammatory which makes it the perfect herb for combating arthritis symptoms. Preclinical studies indicate that the extracts of the rose plant are effective in reducing the number of inflammatory cytokines in the blood, leading to a reduction in swelling and pain. Gulkand, being prepared from roses naturally inherits all of these benefits.

Additionally, the antioxidant compounds present in gulkand may be helpful in reducing the severity of arthritis symptoms. Though more research is still required to confirm any relationship between dietary antioxidants and arthritis treatment.

Rose is traditionally used for mitigating cardiac disability or heart ailments. According to research published in the Asian Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, rose extracts are rich in certain active compounds which have tonic like effect on the heart and is thus effective in the treatment of cardiac failure. Being an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, gulkand may assist in maintaining heart health and keeping it young. Antioxidants also reduce lipid peroxidation which can otherwise cause atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Though confirmatory evidence is still lacking on the cardioprotective and tonic effects of rose on heart, you can always ask your ayurvedic doctor to know more about the benefits of gulkand consumption on the cardiovascular system.

(Read more: Heart diseases treatment)

• Being a cooling agent, gulkand helps reduce burning in the feet and palms.
• It is also effective in reducing nosebleeds and heating effect of the sun on the body.
• Roses have been found to calm the nerves and improve mood. Gulkand just inherits this benefit too.
• It provides relief from stress and fatigue.
• Traditionally, regular consumption of gulkand is believed to improve vision and for avoiding burning and watery eyes. (Read more: Burning eyes causes and treatment)
• As a demulcent in antitussive, gulkand provides symptomatic relief in cough and also stimulates the expulsion of phlegm from the lungs and airways.
• It also has some cancer-preventing benefits.