Introduction: 

Gulkand (prepared with rose petals) can be used as a delicacy in several Indian dishes and soothes the tastebuds with its cooling effect. The Rose plant is a perennial bushy shrub with fragrant flowers and a sweet preserve of rose petals known as gulkand. The scientific name of the rose is Rosa damascena, and it belongs to the family Rosaceae. The major cultivation of roses is widely distributed in Europe, Middle East, North America, and Asia. Rose plants are often grown in houses, parks, and gardens. Rose petals are majorly used in perfumes, medicine, food industry and gulkand is prepared with rose petals only.^1,2 Let us discuss gulkand.  

Nutritional Value of Gulkand: 

Table 1: Nutritional Components of Gulkand² 

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Properties of Gulkand: 

Gulkand may have the following properties: 

• It may help to relieve pain 
• It may be used against epilepsy (Brain disorder) 
• It may help to improve the function of the heart 
• It may act against HIV 
• It may act as an antimicrobial agent 
• A may have antioxidant property 
• It may be an anti-inflammatory agent 

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Potential Use of Gulkand for Overall Health: 

The gulkand benefits are given below: 

1. Potential use of gulkand to relieve pain 

Gulkand may help to relieve pain. Studies on mice showed that plant ingredients like quercetin and kaempferol might be responsible for reducing pain. Antioxidants like flavonoids present in gulkand may be responsible for relieving pain.¹ However, further studies are required to know its exact mechanism and effect on humans. You must immediately consult your doctor if you experience unbearable pain for a prolonged period. 

2. Potential use of gulkand for seizures 

The essential oil and flavonoids in rose petals of gulkand may help in the case of seizures. Studies on mice showed that gulkand might delay the start of epileptic seizures (Brain disorder) and decrease the duration of tonic-clonic seizures.¹ Further studies on humans are required to know the action of gulkand for seizures. However, if you experience seizures, you must immediately consult your doctor instead of self-medicating. 

3. Potential use of gulkand for cough 

Gulkand may be used to relieve cough. Studies on guinea pigs showed that gulkand may reduce the cough. Another study showed the relaxant effect of gulkand may fight against cough. However, further studies are required on humans to check the impact of gulkand against cough.¹ There is a possibility that a cough can be a symptom of other diseases. Therefore, if you had a cough for several days, you must consult your doctor. 

4. Potential use of gulkand in heart function 

Gulkand may improve heart function. Studies on guinea pigs showed that gulkand might increase the heart rate and contractility of the heart, thereby improving the function of the heart. However, further studies are required to check the effect of gulkand on the human heart.¹ If you experience any symptoms related to heart disease or have a history of heart disease, you must immediately consult your doctor. 

5. Potential use of gulkand for HIV infections 

Gulkand has many plant compounds present in it and the combined effect of several plant compounds in gulkand may additively act against virus replication.¹ However, further studies are required to check the effect of gulkand against HIV infections. HIV infection is serious; therefore, you must get diagnosed and get proper treatment instead of self-medicating. 

6. Potential use of gulkand for bacterial infections: 

Gulkand may act against bacterial infections due to its essential oil, rose absolute, and hydrosol. It may show anti-bacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria by inhibiting their growth.¹ However, further studies are required to check the anti-bacterial activity of gulkand on humans. If you have a bacterial infection, you must consult your doctor instead of treating yourself at home. 

7. Potential use of gulkand for constipation: 

Studies on rats showed that gulkand might increase the water content in faeces and increase the frequency of passing stools. Gulkand may help in relieving constipation.¹ However, further studies on humans are required to evaluate the effect of gulkand on humans. If you experience constipation for several days, you must consult your doctor and get proper treatment. 

8. Potential use of gulkand to reduce swelling: 

Gulkand may reduce swelling due to the presence of vitamin C, an antioxidant. Studies showed that gulkand might reduce swelling by inhibiting the substances in the body that cause inflammation.² However, further studies are required to check the effect of gulkand on inflammation. 

Though studies show the benefits of gulkand in various conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the glue and its benefits on human health. 

Gulkand is used traditionally to reduce fatigue due to its cooling properties. Gulkand might also be beneficial for conditions like muscular aches, itching, and any conditions where heat is produced.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

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How to Use Gulkand? 

There are several ways you can use gulkand:  

• You may have gulkand directly. 
• You can mix gulkand with water and chew it. 
• You can add some gulkand to milk and consume it. 

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking gulkand or any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor. 

Side Effects of Gulkand: 

Side effects of gulkand are as follows: 

• It may cause early greying of hair 
• It may cause headache³ 

If you experience any adverse reactions to gulkand, immediately contact a doctor or your Ayurvedic physician who has prescribed it to you. They will be able to guide you appropriately for your symptoms. 

Gulkand serves various medical benefits. It is believed to be useful for conditions like menstrual discomfort or dysmenorrhoea, and white discharge issues. Gulkand might also be useful as a digestive tonic that will help in improving digestion, and appetite. Additionally, gulkand is known to have properties that will be useful for cleaning blood that might help to clear complexion and might prevent the appearance of boils, acne, and whiteheads.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

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Precautions to Take with Gulkand: 

• If you have build-up or discharge of mucous in your nose or throat or swelling in the mucous membrane, you must be cautious before consuming gulkand.³ 
• Pregnant women and lactating mothers should take special care. You must consult your doctor before having gulkand. Precaution should be taken before giving gulkand to the elderly or children. In such cases, you must have gulkand only if your doctor prescribes them. 

Interactions with Other Drugs: 

There is not enough evidence on the interaction of gulkand with other drugs. Further studies on the interaction of gulkand are required. Therefore, you must consult your doctor if you are on any other medication before consuming gulkand. 

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Frequently Asked Questions: 

References: 

1. Boskabady MH, Shafei MN, Saberi Z, Amini S. Pharmacological Effects of Rosa damascena. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2011 Jul;14(4):295–307.  

2. Vijayanchali SS. Nutrient, Phytonutrient and Antioxidant Activity of the Dried Rose Petals. Journal of Research, Extension and Development. 2017 Oct 17;6(2). [cited 2022 Aug 19]. Available from: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3345537 

3. Qureshi MA, Bano H, Samad A, Ahamad SG, Ahmed J, Fatema A. A review on R. DAMASCENA   (Rose) an important drug used in Unani System of Medicine. [Internet]. [cited 2022 Aug 19]. Available from:          https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344287146_A_Review_on_R_DAMASCENA_Rosean_Important_Drug_used_in_Unani_System_of_Medicine 

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