The qualities, valuable secrets and benefits of rose water were discovered through an ancient romantic story that relates as follows.
An emperor in ancient Persia, for his royal wedding to a princess, once ordered rose water to be filled in his imperial fountains. After their marriage, as the royal couple was taking a walk through the lovely gardens, tiny drops were seen on the surface of the rose water fountain.
These tiny drops were rose oil droplets that had been formed under the warm streaming sunshine.
The curious empress was intrigued to find that the droplets, when touched, had an oily feel and a beautiful scent emitted from them. Thus, the benefits of rose water, along with rose oil, were first discovered in Persia.
What is Rose Water?
Rose water is basically a by-product of rose oil through distillation of pure fresh rose petals. To make even a little of this oil, a large number of rose petals are used hence making this delicate extraction very expensive.
Rose water can be found…..
….in Vitamin stores and some supermarkets but this processed type usually contains chemicals and artificial preservatives that are less effective and are less beneficial than pure rose water. The benefits of rose water can be enjoyed by simply making it at home. This can be done by storing fresh rose petals in a jar filled with distilled water and placing them under the sunshine for a number of days.
What are the Benefits of Rose Water?
Beauty and Skin Care
Generally rose essence, that is rose water and rose oil, is used in various therapeutic preparations especially facial or skin treatment. Pure natural rose water is 100% free from artificial ingredients and perfumes and is used as a facial cleanser.
Cleopatra, famous for her ancient beauty secrets…..
…..used rose water in various face masks. It also prevents aging by reducing wrinkles and tightening skin pores. Dry skin can be hydrated by using rose water as a moisturizer. Rose water cleanses the skin, removing dirt, oil and other pollutants from deep inside the skin pores. Amazingly, it can be used on any skin type without causing much irritation.
It acts as a cleansing agent as well as a skin toner.
For that reason, ancient Romans preferred baths of rose water.
The benefits of rose water can be accessed to various types of face masks can be enhanced by adding rose water to dilute, instead of plain water.
Aromatic Cuisine
The benefits of rose water are extensively exploited in various cuisines throughout the world.
Rose water is best known for its beautiful scent hence used in Persian cooking to scent or flavor food especially rice, giving it a distinct fragrance. It is also commonly used in small amounts to flavor foods like Baklava, ice creams, scones, cakes, buns and puddings.
My recipe for Almond and Rose Bread here.
A “Dash” of Rosewater for flavor
In India, rose water is used as one of the ingredients in most delicacies, curries and sweets like Gulab Jamun and Ladoos. Famous biryani dishes in Pakistan use a dash of rosewater to bring out an aromatic flavor.
Drinking Rose water
One of the benefits of rose water is it can be used to make very nutritious drinks since it is rich in flavonoids, anti-oxidants, tannins and essential vitamins like A, C, D, E and B3. A simple delicious drink can be made by mixing rose water syrup in a cup of cold creamy milk.
Rose water is a mild sedative and anti-depressant.
It enhances moods, helps relieve nervous tension and improves skin texture. In Malaysia, it is used for its distinct sweet flavor in making a milky sweet drink like Bandung.
A simple Persian rose water infused iced tea will help you soothe and calm your mind.
Rose Water vs Rose Essence
Be sure to make a distinction between pure rose water and scented/flavored rose water. Pure rose water is derived by the actual use of real rose petals. Flavored rose water may just be water scented with rose essence and is not the real deal. It is pure rose water that has gentle and compelling uses that are natural and effective.
Rose Water- Medicinal Uses
Rose water is a well-known for its natural healing properties as a good anti-septic, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory product.
Benefits of Rose Water for Skin infections
Rose water is used to treat skin infections including dry scaly skin, oily skin, skin inflammation, dermatitis and eczema. Rose water is also a healing agent, and can be used in treating wounds.
For sunburns, rose water can be gently rubbed over the affected area or when taking a bath, add a few drops and relax while the magic takes effect.
Insect bites:
When going on a safari or camping in a tropical area, it’s sure to be infested with mosquitoes. Rose water can be applied over insect bites like mosquito bites that easily stop the itchy feeling, reduce the inflammation and cool the area.
Eye Fatigue
For any eye pain or fatigue, gently dip a cloth in rose water and place it on your eyelids for a soothing feeling that helps cool your eyes.
Acne
Rose water is also an astringent which reduces redness or inflammation of skin. Swollen inflamed pimples can be reduced by gently dabbing rose water on the affected area. What’s more – acne scars can be diminished and gotten rid of by making and applying a mixture of sandalwood, lemon juice and rose water on them.
As a disinfectant
Since it has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, rose water can be used as a disinfectant to keep your home or workplace free from bacteria and germs. Use a rose water spritzer which can be made by adding a measureable amount of epsom salt to pure rose water and filling it in a clean and empty spritzer.
This mixture can be sprayed on kitchen and bathroom counter tops, shelves, and table tops. Wipe clean with a dry cloth and this will leave a scented and fresh feel. The best part about this is that it is all natural, less expensive and eco-friendly.
Perfume
Known for its beautiful and unique scent, rose water is accordingly used as an ingredient for shampoos, soaps and air fresheners. Rose water fragrance perfume can be used to keep your body smelling fresh and clean after a bath and prevents bad odors from accumulating due to excessive sweating.
One of the eco-friendly benefits of rosewater is it It can also be creatively used to make a room freshener
**UPDATE 3/20/2019 ** Rose Water for Tightening the Vagina????
I see a lot of searches coming into my site for “Rosewater Tightening the Vagina” and so forth. I hadn’t run across any information on this when I wrote this article a few years ago, but since it’s such a common Google search that directs people to this article, I’ll look into it and see what I can find and update the article….However I did a quick search and here one article that might be worth checking out
Natural Remedy for Vagina Tightening
Hair Care
Hair care products and shampoos may use rose water as a key ingredient. It is soothing as well as nourishing to the scalp. Rose water strengthens the root hairs, promotes hair growth and revitalizes the scalp thereby enabling smooth blood flow to the scalp.
Keeping the scalp cool and fresh, it also rejuvenates the scalp preventing inflammations. It can be used as a natural hair spray – containing no artificial ingredients, and preventing excessive hair loss. Rose water can act as a wonderful hair conditioner, keeping your hair free from split ends and dry, frizzy hair.
Below is a video on how to make rosewater, with suggestion for what to add to it.
Below is one of my favorite cuts “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal. Couldn’t resist posting it here, where else would I post it? Creating this post was so Zen-like and relaxing, I just dropped it in below.
Take a listen if you want, just setting my scene………….
[below] “Kiss From a Rose” -Seal (my cover version)
Did my own version of this song. Check it out if so inclined, otherwise thanks for stopping by…
~stay healthy~
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17 Responses
May I just ask: I cant stand perfume and spritz a bit of rose water during the day – but I dont feel like the smell stays at all. Is that normal? Is there any way to make it last longer?
Thanks in advance 🙂
As the lady mentions in the “how to make” rosewater video at the bottom left, you can add other natural “stuff” to it to manipulate the scent, but of course that “stuff” varies from person to person but she throws out some ideas. Any readers with suggestions please post.
I like to make "moist towelettes" with rosewater. I cut cheesecloth into small squares, about 4"x4". I fold them, and put them in a small jar. Then I pour rosewater overtop with a splash of vodka as preservative. The vodka is not absolutely necessary, but as we keep them in the car for long trips I like to be on the safe side. These are great as hand sanitizers or just as a hand/face refresher. You can also force them over bristles of a hairbrush, brushing the hair with rosewater leaves a gorgeous scent and keeps the hair clean longer between shampoos.
Awesome!!!!!
i love this article.:)
Thanks for your comment , I’m not-for-profit, and these comments are my only payment 🙂
Thank you for such an interesting blog on Rosewater and all its wonderful properties, I thought you and your readers may be interested in knowing that if they do not have access to their own fresh fragrant roses and natural spring water – Welsh Rosewater – is available from http://www.petalsofthevalley.co.uk – Picked as dawn breaks over the rolling fields of a welsh farm , the baskets of fragrant Rosa Damascena are taken down the hill into the still room within a 17th C stone barn, placed within traditional copper still with the farm's pure spring water . 1 kg of roses are used to produce every litre of rosewater, nothing is added nor taken away – it is therefore richer in rose oil than most rosewaters being sold, it is approved for culinary use too:-)
Thanks for the comment Denise,
Normally I don’t allow promotions on my blog, but I think yours is important, and I do try to support business supporting wellness, as well as direct my readers to quality products. Anyhow, several people wrote me trying to get a bead on how to find a place to grab rosewater as opposed to making your own. Finding a reliable source of rosewater will allow someone to consistently take advantage of its benefits. Much success and best wishes with yoru rosewater business.
~stay healthy~
can anyone tell me, what is the difference between natural and synthetic rose water?
what are the micro-organisms presents in natural rose water.
From what I remember when I was researching this, Synthetic Rosewater in normally a synthetic rose fragrance added to water and/or Imitation Rose Oil (not sure what is imitation rose oil it, but from what I read, I do know often times oils cane be by products of other processing, that should be thrown away, but sold to someone who can pass it off for money). This Imitation Rose Oil concoction is often sold with man made preservatives, obviously for shelf life. I’m not sure about the specific chemicals in rose water, but it is definitely about the components of the oil, as there are several oils, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Sesame Oil, Olive Oil, the all have different but valuable chemical properties……………….
….hope that helps a little
Hi, great info, thank you. However, I’m wondering if the temperature would denature the vitamins in the Rosebuds? Especially vitamin C which is very heat sensitive. Thank you.
Hi JoelHarman,
Most writers won’t be as honest as me when I say I really don’t know, though it is a very good question.
I think the only practical advice I could give anyone is to go back to the ancient formulas and methods, and do as they did, because I’m sure the best methods evolved over time, and heat may have been a factor or not, but I’m sure they found out the best method not through modern science, but results they got (smoothest skin, etc.) from certain techniques.
Doug at GAIA Health Blog
I am trying to find reliable information on Rose water or even petals in the bath; and its risks or benefits to the vagina. I am in debate with someone who thinks rose petals in tub is a yeast infection in the making..and i find it difficult to believe that roses in the tub would cause infection..I know we shouldnt use excessive harsh soaps and chemicals or allow sugar to go inside our vagina…but can anyone help me find info on Roses and vaginal health? ..
Hey,
I loved this informative blog which is very useful for face care.
To buy rose water online visit https://www.sheetalherbal.com/product/amla-hair-oil/
Hi, amazing blog. I really like it. It is very helpful for me. Thank you for sharing amazing benefits of rosewater.
Thanks…!!!
Hey bebeautifulgirls,
Thanks for the compliment, I’m always flattered when I get a complimentary comment about my site every month or two. I’m not for profit, and these comments are my only payment.
My “Girl Talk” section is always open to you and any other women who want to contribute a woman’s health and/or beauty article. I’m trying to get women to come in and write guest articles for that section, there’s only so much as a guy, I can write.
Regards,
Doug at GAIA Health Blog
Great it’s very explained! Thanks for this