Rose water is an ancient health trick used in food and beauty routines since as far back as the Middle Ages. It can also be used for a simple chemical-free perfume. The health benefits go far beyond a pretty face – rose water has healing properties for embarrassing skin issues (eczema, rosacea) and equally embarrassing digestion problems (constipation), just to name a few of its magical applications.
Rose water can be made by steaming (steeping) rose petals in water or purchased in any store that sells beauty products.
However, if you buy it, you have to read the ingredients, as some contain harsh chemicals. Rose water can also be ingested by drinking it.
Rose oil extract can be used as a substitute for rose water, but rose oil contains many more chemicals than rose water. Rose water is often used in religious and beauty rituals. The oil extract can be added to food and drinks for an internal health boost.
The dried buds and petals of the flowers can be used eaten or mixed with other ingredients to make homemade moisturizers and other face care products.
Rose water has numerous health benefits, including:
Anti-Inflammatory
Rose water contains natural anti-inflammatories that can have a beneficial effect on your overall health. The anti-inflammatory properties can reduce irritated skin by cleansing pores of excess oil. Our skin and hair naturally produce oil through our glands and hair follicles. Pores are just large hair follicles on our faces. If the pores produce too much oil, they can become clogged. That is the main cause of pimples, large pores and other skin problems.
It’s not just for your face, either. Rose water has been shown to help ease sore throats by relaxing the throat muscles.
Antiseptic Ingredients
Rose water is also rich in antibacterials and antiseptics. Both of these ingredients are essential to reducing the risk of infections.
Rose water can be applied topically to burns, cuts and other wounds for faster healing.
Rose water promotes the immune system’s production of histamines. Histamines help the immune system fight off unwanted pathogens. Too much histamine occurs when your body overreacts to the invaders. Antihistamines are a main ingredient in allergy medications.
Helps You Sleep Better
As we mentioned, rose water has powerful healing properties through its aroma. Rose water can help the body relax, reduce anxiety and help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling rested.
Rose water helps increase your overall emotional health and has been shown to ease the symptoms of depression in similar ways as some pharmaceutical drugs.
Reduces Headaches
Aromatherapy uses the natural extract from plants to promote healing through scent. Rose water and rose essential oil is a common ingredient for aromatherapy.
Rose water has soothing properties and relaxing effects that have been known to relieve headache pain.
The smell of rose water is said to reduce depression and improve a person’s overall mood. It can be inhaled through aromatherapy or through placing a rose water soaked cloth on the forehead.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants have been shown to improve the strength of skin cells and repair skin tissue. The antioxidants can be taken from rose essential oil or dried rose petals.
When our bodies produce oxygen, they also produce a harmful by-product called free radicals, which cause damage to the skin. The body naturally uses vitamins and minerals to combat the free radicals. Those vitamins and minerals are the antioxidants.
The free radicals are responsible for the aging appearance of the skin. Since rose water contains the antioxidants our bodies need to fight the free radicals, rose water has anti-aging properties.
Rose water soothes irritated skin, but it also helps prevent and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Eases Digestion Problems
Rose water affects more than just our skin; it can aid our digestive system and relieve digestion problems, such as an upset stomach and bloating. When we eat foods, our bodies create a bile that flows from the liver to aid digestion. When that flow is obstructed or slowed, we get stomach cramps or the feeling of being bloated. Rose water can help the bile flow increase, making digestion easier.
Rose water can also be used as a laxative to ease constipation issues.
Relieves Skin Problems
Eczema and psoriasis are two painful skin irritations that can be soothed by the anti-inflammatory properties found in rose water. The combination of sweat on our skin and the oil produced by our glands creates a pH. The pH should be slightly acidic and the ingredients used in our skin care routine can help manage the pH and keep it balanced. Rose water has these balancing ingredients.
Rose water also contains astringent properties that help keep the pores clean of the excess oil that contributes to skin problems.
Rose water can be used as a toner (astringent), cleanser or a moisturizer to help hydrate the skin for a fresh look.
Rose water has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. It can improve the skin’s complexion by soothing redness and protect against harmful UV rays and other environmental pollutants.
Rose Water Infusion:
To make Rose water, all you need is a handful of dried rose water and a pot of boiling distilled water.
The rose petals should be removed from the rest of the plant and washed to remove dirt. Simply boil the water, remove from heat, drop in rose petals, cover and let steep for about 30 minutes. Drain the petals from the rose water and put in fridge until cool. It should be stored in the fridge between uses. It can be used for up to 5 days before a new batch should be steeped.
Uses:
Face Wash – Rose water can be directly applied to the face twice a day (morning and night) for a hydrating face wash. Splash rose water on your face and let it air dry. Use before applying makeup in the morning and after before bed at night.
Toner – Rose water contains astringent properties that make it a perfect natural toner. Use a cotton ball soaked in rose water to gently massage into face, particularly areas that are red or irritated. Allow it to dry. Continue with your routine.
Spritz – Put in a spray bottle, rose water can be used as a perfume or a for hydrating your skin. It is especially useful during the warmer summer months when your face dries out from exposure to the sun.
Makeup Remover – If you mix the rose water with coconut oil, you can have an easy, chemical-free makeup remover. Using a cotton pad, gently massage the rose water and coconut oil mixture onto your face to remove dirt and leftover makeup.
DIY Rose Water Recipes:
Rose Oil Body Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Avocado Oil
- Rose Oil
Steps: Mix essential oils and shea butter. In the shower, apply to body and rinse with hot water. Towel dry.
Rose Oil Face Cream
- Beeswax pellets
- Shea Butter
- Rose Oil Extract
Steps: Melt beeswax pellets, mix with shea butter and oil extract. Allow the mixture to cool. Massage into face before bedtime for nourished skin.
Rose water has a storied history in the beauty routine of the queen of Egypt. It’s widely repeated that Cleopatra often bathed in rose water for it’s beautifying properties, such as smooth, soft skin. Cleopatra also used to bath in the milk of 700 goats, but rose water seems a bit more feasible.
Using rose water in your beauty routine can make your skin feel as refreshed and dewy as a Queen.
References
https://food.ndtv.com/beauty/10-benefits-of-rose-water-you-need-to-know-1239785