The rose family, Rosaceae, has a deep connection to the heart — simply inhaling their perfume strengthens it. The Rosaceae family includes strawberries, apples, raspberries, cherries, plums, blackberries, hawthorn, peaches and pears, all of which have five-petaled flowers. Many of the Rosaceae are recommended for toning the heart and circulatory system. Hawthorn is especially effective, but even the aroma of apples stewing is said to lower blood pressure. Rosaceae’s fate has been closely connected with mankind’s since that irresistible apple in the garden of Eden.

Other legends tell of how the original Rose was awoken from its slumbers by the first ray of the rising sun in the great garden of Persia. It is also said that only as many rose blossoms bloom as there are human souls living on earth. Various traditions agree that when it is a soul’s time to leave this material world, the only thing she can take with her is a rose.