

104 ROSA GALLICA 



deprived of their whitish claws, which constitute the ordinary red 

 rose petals, or red rose leaves as they are frequently called, of the 

 pharmacies. The petals are collected before the flowers have 

 expanded because they are then much more astringent than when 

 obtained from the full-blown flowers ; they are also dried rapidly 

 because slow desiccation injures both their colour and astringency. 

 It has been computed that 2000 flower-buds yield about 10 pounds 

 of dried, or 100 pounds of fresh petals. The petals which are 

 required for the official Confection of Roses are sent to the 

 market in a fresh state. 



General Characters and Composition. As found in commerce, 

 the dried petals are either more or less crumpled and separate, or 

 loosely aggregated together in little cone-like masses. The 

 petals have a rich velvety appearance, are crisp and dry, of a 

 fine purplish-red colour, a fragrant roseate odour, which is prin- 

 cipally developed by drying, and a bitterish, feebly acid, and 

 astringent taste. As their colour and other characters are 

 injured by exposure to light and air, they are best preserved in 

 well-closed canisters, or in bottles protected from the light. 



According to the investigations of late years, red rose petals 

 contain traces of tannic and gallic acids, a little fat, volatile oil, 

 red colouring matter, quercitrin, glucose, and quercitannic acid. 

 The investigations of M. Filhol show that the astringency of red 

 rose petals is more especially due to quercitrin, and not to tannic 

 acid as was previously supposed. The properties of red rose 

 petals are extracted by boiling water. The infusion thus pre- 

 pared is of a pale red colour, but it becomes of an intense 

 brilliant red or crimson on the addition of sulphuric acid, and 

 also of other mineral and vegetable acids ; and by alkalies it is 

 changed to a bright green colour. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Red rose petals are slightly 

 astringent and tonic. As these properties are, however, 

 scarcely appreciable, they are chiefly employed on account of their 

 colour, and in the form of one of their official preparations as an 

 agreeable vehicle for the exhibition of other more active 

 medicines. 



