Rose water comes from the Rosa damascene, a species of the Rosaceae plant. The plant contains several components like terpenes, glycosides, flavonoids and anthocyanins that have beneficial effects on health and beauty. Rose water also contains various vitamins including A, C, E, & B
How it benefits your skin & hair
-It balances your skins PH level (balanced skin should be at a 5.5 PH) leaving your skin glowing and supple
-Rose water helps hydrate, revitalize and moisturize your skin giving it that refreshed look
-Since it is full of antioxidants, rose water helps to strengthen skin cells and regenerate skin tissue which aids in healing scars, cuts & wounds
-Rose water contains astringent like properties that clean pores and tone the skin. Using rose water after steaming tightens capillaries and reduce redness
-Rose water is used to treat mild scalp inflammations and rid dandruff while moisturizing and treating both the scalp and hair
-The aroma of roses is said to be a convincing mood enhancer it relieves feelings of anxiety and promotes emotional well-being & relaxation
Using rose water/tea internally
Why would you want to drink rose water? Why wouldn’t you?
Here’s the top 5 reasons to drink rose water/tea:
- Drink rose water to hydrate the skin from the inside out
- Drink rose water as a mood enhancer, to relieve depression or stress and improve mood.
- Drink rose water to relieve digestion troubles like bloating, upset stomach and constipation.
- Drink rose water to help heal from colds, flu and sore throats. It may have a bronchodilator effect and help with respiratory illness.
- Drink rose water to relieve fluid retention and inflammation.
Your local heath food store will most likely sell rose water but I think it’s always better to make your own. There are a couple of different methods to make rose water and all of them are pretty simple. Some of these methods include using rose essential oil & double boiling with dried, fresh, or crushed petals. Living in Florida, naturally my favorite method is sun steeping.
How to sun steep rose water
-Find organically grown (if possible) roses; any color will do but I’ve noticed pink, red and purple are the most fragrant
-Rinse rose petals
-Add to a glass jar with alkaline or distilled water
-Put in direct sunlight and let steep for 2 to 3 days
-Strain petals from water
Here’s what I use when I don’t have time to make my own. You can get it at Whole Foods and many other grocery stores or order it online at Amazon or Vitacost.
