Invited Review Paper
Year: 2017 | Month: November | Volume: 2 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 1-7
Herbal Medicine in Stamps: History of Rosa Canina through Philately
Özüm ERKİN1
1 PhD, Research Assistant, Ege University, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Public Health Nursing, 35100, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
ABSTRACT
The fruit (hips) of R. canina have long been recognized for their medicinal and nutritional value. R. canina is native to Europe, western/central Asia, and northern Africa, and rose hips have been used in many cultures for centuries. Recommendations for its use exist in Tibetan medicine, and mentioned in the works of Avicenna, and even in manuscripts of biblical times. More recently, R. canina hips were used in syrup form to prevent scurvy during World War II. The importance of R. canina is reflected in philately. Stamps are labels used to show payment of postage fees, but their graphic designs also serve to depict the cultural aspects of the issuing country and society. The aim of this study was to show the historical importance of the medicinal and aromatic plant R. canina through stamps. A search of the most respected resources of the philately world (Scott and Michel catalogues) revealed twenty three stamps related to R. canina issued by nineteen countries worldwide. It is recommended to use stamps as an inexpensive but attention-getting promotional item for healthcare providers and the public to introduce medicinal and aromatic plants.
Key words: Rosa canina, dog rose, history, stamps, philately