As we continue through this period of transformation in our world, what a perfect time to consider adding a Rose of Jericho into your personal space and practices. The Rose of Jericho, also known as The Resurrection Plant, Jericho Flower and the Desert Rose is considered an ancient plant native to the desert regions of Central America and the Middle East. The Rose of Jericho is not only a small flowering plant, but is also known as a tumbleweed, as it curls into a dry ball when exposed to dry climates. This is known as hibernation and is done to protect the flowers. The Rose of Jericho offers a little something for everyone as it can be used both medicinally and metaphysically.
The Rose of Jericho symbolizes rebirth, transformation, and prosperity in many cultures. It is known for bringing about “awakenings” and growth. It is also believed to have the ability to absorb negative energy and transform it into positive energy. It can be incorporated into practices as a plant, an oil, or even as a type of “holy” water. Utilizing this plant in any of those forms, can also help facilitate harmony and peace within your space.
The Rose of Jericho is a plant that is incredibly hard to kill. In fact, it can be left in the dark spaces for quite a long time and still be “brought back to life” with water. So, if you haven’t had much luck in the past with plants this might be a great option for you! So how do you “resurrect” the Rose of Jericho? Since this plant is sensitive to water quality, we recommend distilled water that is at least room temperature. Place your dried Rose of Jericho in a shallow bowl, you can add some rocks in there as well if you want but it’s definitely not a requirement. Then add distilled water to it and make sure it is in an area that is getting a lot of bright light. Then watch the magic begin as it begins to unfurl and turn green again. It can begin to really “open” after just a few hours, but it can take a couple days to fully “come back to life”. Since this is a water sensitive plant, you may want to change the water daily and you do not want to leave it in standing water for a long period of time or it can begin to rot. So after about 5 days you want to make sure it is no longer in standing water. As stated above, this is a very difficult plant to kill and it can be resurrected numerous times, just make sure to let it dry out completely each time.
As a medicine the Rose of Jericho is best utilized as tea. The leaves and flowers can both be utilized. The compounds can help reduce inflammation, arthritis pain, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. It has also been used to aid in health conditions like colds and other respiratory ailments, menstrual cramps, and in some cultures is used to induce labor. We are not medical professionals here and when it comes to utilizing any type of plant medicine, it's always best to check with your health providers before incorporating anything new, especially for those that take prescription medicines.
So, whether you’re looking for a new plant for your space, a new addition to your home apothecary, or to add to your metaphysical practices, the Rose of Jericho is an excellent choice.