by M.J. Holliday

Created on: December 09, 2010

Rose water is legendary in its ability to rejuvenate and tone the face and skin. Beautiful women throughout the world still use rose water as a facial splash or in the bath to help balance the complexion and reduce the signs of aging.

What is Rose Water?

Rose water is a byproduct of rose oil. Rose oil, or attar or roses, is a popular ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics.

Rose oil comes from fresh rose petals, crushed and steam-distilled. The ancient Persians were among the first to extract rose oil and rose water through steam distillation. Rose water is still used in the Middle East as a culinary flavoring, and as a beauty treatment to nourish and hydrate the skin.

Benefits of Rose Water for the Skin

The fragrance of rose water can calm the mind and senses. In aromatherapy, the sweet scent of rose brings romance. To refresh the skin and awaken the mind, spritz or mist the face with rose water anytime during the day.

 As an astringent, rose water is gentle and safe for all skin types. Rose water helps smooth the complexion, heal blemishes and lift dirt from the pores. Rose water infuses the skin with natural moisture to treat both dry and oily skin, and is gentle to fair or sensitive skin.

Use rose water in the bath as a luxurious all-over skin treatment. Add rose water to a facial mask for extra revitalizing power. Mixed into cold creams and lotions, rose water helps restore nourishment to tired skin.

Rose water helps soothe sunburn, and is effective as an aftershave to reduce skin irritation. Rose water can relieve minor rashes and skin eruptions, and is often used as a home treatment for acne.

How to Make Rose Water

Required:

• 1 cup fresh rose petals

• 4 cups distilled water

• medium-sized pot

• sieve

• glass bottles or container

Add rose petals to the pot. Add water. Bring to a gentle boil. Cover pot and allow to simmer for ten to twenty minutes.

Remove pot from heat and strain out the rose petals. Allow rose water to cool. Pour into glass bottles, and refrigerate. Home-made rose water lasts several days at room temperature, and up to 3 months in the refrigerator.

Other Uses of Rose Water

In Iran, rose water is popular in cuisine. Rose water is a tasty flavoring in candies and confections, and is sometimes added to tea. Rose water is a primary ingredient in lassi, a sweet drink made from fruit juice and yogurt.

In Malaysia and Singapore, rose water added to milk, sugar and pink food coloring creates a sweet beverage known as bandung. In Muslim cooking, chefs often use rose water as a non-alcoholic substitute for red wine. In Palestine and Lebanon, rose water is added to lemonade.

Before vanilla became popular in the 19th century, European and American bakers used rose water as a flavoring in cakes and cookies. Rose water is an ingredient in the petite French sponge cake known as madeleine, and also in marzipan.

Rose syrup, extracted from rose petals, is especially popular in France. In American cuisine, French rose syrup is an essential ingredient in rose scones and marshmallows.

Rose water is often used in worship. Some Hindu religious ceremonies, and certain rituals of the Eastern Orthodox Church, traditionally use purified rose water.

See also: Aromatherapy: Scents for Romance and Lasting Love

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