Summer Solstice, the official ushering in of Summer, is still a few weeks away but in my garden the climbing roses growing along the split-rail fence are opening, and the strawberry patch is starting to show hints of red; bees zoom wildly between the flowers, and the dragonflies are beginning to arrive. For me, that means Summer is here!

I'm eagerly awaiting the first blooms of the old-fashioned roses I planted last year in the herb garden: Rosa mundi, Rosa gallica, and Rosa rugosa. These roses have a long history of medicinal use, as well as being beloved for their use in bodycare.

Rose petals are astringent and cleansing. Rose oil (either rose otto (attar of rose, attar of roses) or rose absolute) is soothing both physically and emotionally.

Rosehip seed oil is high in essential fatty acids and can rejuvenate and heal skin damaged by scars, stretch marks, and extreme weather exposure.

And rosewater (rose hydrosol) is a lovely antiseptic tonic to use to soothe skin, especially when dry, inflamed, mature or sensitive.