Rose Water: 8 Health Benefits And How To Use It

It is a known fact to many of us that rose water benefits our skin and are used in many skin care products. But it also offers many potential health benefits. It is also used in food products. Research has also shown that rose water has relaxant and antibacterial properties (1).

Drinking rose water can also benefit you, as per anecdotal evidence. However, most of its use pertains to skin. Know how to use rose water for your skin right here. Scroll down!

Fun FactAvicenna, a Persian chemist and a noted physician of the Islamic Golden Age, first created rose water in the 10th century.

In This Article

What Are The Health Benefits Of Rose Water?

The potent antioxidants in rose water can fight skin inflammation and redness. They may also help delay the signs of aging. Rose water is also known to promote wound healing and help treat eye infections.

1. Can Fight Skin Inflammation

Rose petal extracts were found to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity on the skin. This could be attributed to the polyphenolsⁱ  XAntioxidant compounds that can prevent skin disorders related to aging-related chronic diseases and excessive exposure to UV rays. , anthocyaninsⁱ  XWater-soluble plant pigments with anti-aging and skin-soothing properties that act as natural sun protectants. , and flavonoidsⁱ  XBeneficial anti-inflammatory plant compounds that promote wound healing, prevent cellular damage, and reduce photodamage. in the extracts (2).

Rose water may also protect the skin from inflammation induced by UV radiation (2).

Rose water also contains vitamin C that further contributes to its anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant (1). This way, rose water may also reduce skin redness and irritation.

The anti-inflammatory properties of rose water may also aid the treatment of acne (3).

Related: 14 Best Home Remedies For Skin Allergies | Causes And Symptoms

2. May Help Delay Signs Of Aging

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Regular use of rose water may delay wrinkles and even tighten pores. You may use it to tone your skin every morning after your bath (4). However, more research is needed to establish this.

Related: Top 35 Anti-Aging Foods That Keep Your Skin Youthful

3. May Soothe Sore Throat

In traditional Indian medicine, rose water was used to soothe a sore throat. It also was used as a treatment for enlarged tonsils (5). This effect could be attributed to its antibacterial effects. However, more research is warranted.

Related: Home Remedies For Strep Throat That Ease The Symptoms

4. May Help Treat Eye Infections

Rose water may help treat conditions affecting the eyes. In studies, a herbal eye drop treatment containing rose water as one of the primary ingredients helped cure eye infections, including conjunctivitis and dry eye syndromeⁱ  XA condition that occurs when the tears cannot provide enough lubrication to the eyes, resulting in irritation and blurry vision. (1).

Rose water has analgesic and antiseptic properties that may help treat ocular diseasesⁱ  XDiseases related to the eye, like cataracts, color blindness, age-related macular degeneration, and crossed eyes. (6).

5. May Help Heal Wounds

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The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of rose water may help heal wounds. It may be used to treat burns, scars, and cuts (1).

The wound-healing effects were also observed in a rose species in the same family as that used to prepare rose water. Inhalation aromatherapy using the rose species could reduce the pain intensity in patients with burns (7).

6. May Relieve Stress

There is very less research here. Proponents of rose water believe that inhaling its vapors can help boost mood and relieve stress in individuals.

Some research suggests that rose water may have antidepressant-like effects. The studies have been done on mice, though (8). More research is needed on human subjects to establish this fact.

7. May Help Treat Headaches

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Vapor therapy using rose water (or rose oil) may help relieve headaches and migraines (1). Applying a compress soaked in rose water to the head for 45 minutes may give you relief.

8. May Soothe Digestive Issues

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Some research suggests that rose essence can positively influence digestion, bile secretion, and circulation (9). This way, it may also help treat bloating and an upset stomach.

Rosewater (the extracts) was also used in ancient medicine to treat abdominal pain and other digestive problems (1).

Though rose water has been used extensively in ancient medicine, in modern times, its benefits are still being discovered. More research is warranted. But you can start using it to avail some of the benefits we have discussed here.

What Forms Is Rose Water Available In?

Rosewater contains 10-50% rose oil (1). It is used in the beauty and food industry and also quite often in religious ceremonies. Apart from using rose water, you can also enjoy the goodness of the flower species through rose oil and dried flowers.

Rose oil is produced by distilling the rose flower. It is usually mass-produced by companies. It is comparatively more expensive.

The dried flowers can also be used, wherein their buds and petals are dried. The petals are usually consumed along with yogurt or other foods.

The goodness of rose water is also available in the form of rose hips (the seedpods of roses) and hydrosol extracts (extracted from the flower or petals and is a cheaper alternative to rose oil).

The aqueous and ethanolic extracts are also taken from the flower and petals but are used for research purposes.

In addition to its health benefits, you can also use rose water in other ways.

How To Make Rose Water

Before we understand how to use rose water, let us discuss how to make it. The simplest process is the simmering method. Here’s what you need to do.

What You Need

• 7 to 8 roses
• 1.5 liters of distilled water

Procedure

1. Remove the petals and wash them gently under lukewarm water.
2. Add the petals to a pot and pour the distilled water.
3. Cover the pot and allow the water to simmer over low heat. Wait until the petals have lost all their color.
4. Strain the liquid and discard all the petals.
5. You can store the rose water in a glass bottle and use as required.

StyleCraze SaysHomemade rose water may last for one week when stored in a cool, dry place and for a month in the refrigerator.

How To Use Rose Water

You can use rose water in various ways.

You can dip cotton balls into the water and gently pat over your skin. This will not only enhance skin health but may also help fight inflammation and acne.

You can also use it in your kitchen. Adding a couple of drops of rose water to your cocktail can make it all the more appealing. You also can use it in your baked goods in place of the conventional vanilla essence.

You may also add a few drops of rose water to your bathwater. It can have a therapeutic effect on you. Rose water can also leave your skin feeling pampered and soft.

Sprinkling some rose water over your steaming iron while pressing your clothes can leave them beautifully scented.

You can also use rose water to create a fragrance mist. Pour some rose water into a spray bottle and mist your curtains, bed sheets, and other soft furnishings around your house. This way, you will be filling your house with the natural freshness of an elegant fragrance.

Using rose water is simple. But does it have any adverse effects? Scroll down to find out.

Does Rose Water Have Any Side Effects?

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Rose water is relatively safe. There is no research stating serious effects following rose water application/intake. However, if you are easily prone to allergies, you may want to be careful. Do a patch test by dabbing a swab on your skin that is not visible to others such as behind the ear and wait for 24 hours before using rose water on your skin.

As far as consumption goes, you may take a little and check for any reactions.

Please consult with your doctor before you do so. Certain reactions of rose water may cause include redness, irritation, and a stinging sensation.

There is no specific information about the dosage of rose water. You may take two to three drops with every use.

Rosewater benefits the skin in multiple ways and manages skin inflammation and dryness. It also slows down skin aging. Research also suggests that it can effectively combat sore throat, eye infections, headaches, and digestive issues.

You can prepare rosewater at home with rose petals and distilled water. It can be directly applied to the skin or used for culinary purposes or as a spray. Rosewater does not cause any negative effects unless you are allergic to it. We recommend you perform a patch test before using it on your skin.