Rose water is a versatile item known for its delightful fragrance, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties, and its edibility. Making your own rose water is easy, saves money, and ensures product purity.
Benefits of Rose Water
Lower Stress and Blood Pressure
The scent of roses can help reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Research has shown that the fragrance of roses can decrease cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
Improved Mood
Rose scent can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. A study in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found that postpartum women using a rose/lavender aromatherapy oil had lower postnatal depression and anxiety scores compared to a control group.
Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties
Rose water has proven antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, making it useful for various applications.
Reduce Skin Inflammation
Rose water can reduce redness, inflammation, and balance the skin’s pH. It’s beneficial for treating acne, eczema, and psoriasis. German researchers also found that rose oil increases skin permeability, helping it absorb more nutrients, which is advantageous if you use natural beauty products.
Better Sleep
Rose fragrance promotes better sleep. Hospital patients exposed to rose aromatherapy for three nights had significantly improved sleep quality compared to those not exposed.
How to Make Rose Water
Method One: Simmer Pot
This simple method is perfect for culinary or beauty uses, though it has a short shelf life.
– Ingredients: 1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried organic rose petals, 5 cups water.
– Directions: Boil the petals and water in a saucepan, then simmer for 10 minutes until petals fade. Cool, strain, and store in a sterilized glass bottle in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Method Two: Distillation
This method is more complex but yields longer-lasting rose water.
– Ingredients: 3 cups fresh or 1.5 cups dried organic rose petals, water, ice.
– Directions: Place a clean brick in a large pot, put a metal bowl on top. Add petals and water to the top of the brick, cover with an upside-down lid, and add ice cubes on top. Boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Cool, then pour the water from the bowl into a sterilized bottle and refrigerate for up to six months.
Method Three: The ‘Cheat’ Method
This method uses rose essential oil and is only suitable for external beauty treatments.
– Ingredients: 12 drops rose essential oil, 1 cup distilled water, 1 teaspoon vodka.
– Directions: Mix oil and vodka, add to a sterilized bottle with water. Shake before each use and store in the refrigerator.
Uses for Rose Water
Personalized Fragrance
Make a natural perfumed spray by adding essential oils to rose water in a spray bottle. Shake before each use.
Cooling Face Mist
Use rose water to cool and hydrate your skin. It also prevents spots and reduces redness. Add aloe vera, witch hazel, or vitamin E for extra benefits.
Gentle Toner
Rose water’s astringent qualities make it a great toner for oily and acne-prone skin. Mix a tablespoon of rose water with half a cup of distilled water.
Easy Eye Make-Up Remover
Remove makeup by mixing equal parts rose water and jojoba oil. Apply with a cotton ball to cleanse the eye area.
Hair Rinse
Rose water kills bacteria and fungus on the scalp, balances pH, and adds shine to hair. Use it as a final rinse or mix it with shampoo and conditioner.
Linen Spray
Freshen up linens and fabrics with rose water. Add a few drops of essential oil for a lasting scent and extra antibacterial action.
Sunburn Treatment
A homemade sunburn spray with rose water, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils soothes and repairs skin.
Stress Relief
Spritz rose water on your pillow, hair, or clothing, or add it to a diffuser with lavender oil to reduce stress and anxiety.
Calming Bath Water
Add rose water and rose petals to your bath to relax and nourish your skin.
Floral Mouthwash
Rose water can be an effective and gentle mouthwash. Add a few drops of essential oil for extra antimicrobial properties.
Eye Treatment
Treat puffy eyes with chilled rose water. Soak cotton pads in it and place them on your eyes for five minutes.
Soothing Body Scrub
Make a body scrub with sea salt, almond oil, rose water, and vanilla to rejuvenate your skin.
Flavoring Food
Rose water adds a floral hint to dishes. Try it in rice pudding, Moroccan carrot salad, yogurt panna cotta, or pistachio cookies.
Adding Depth to Drinks
Enhance drinks like teas, tonics, cocktails, and smoothies with rose water. Try it in Persian iced tea, rose lemonade, fig and rose smoothie, or a rose gin cocktail.
