Herbal Mondays

The Rose

The rose has a multitude of uses.  Rose petals can be used as a delightful tea, whether the petals are white, yellow, pink or red.  You can make roses into a wine, vinegar, syrups, sorbets, jam and placed into pies! Rose petals, like the calendula flower, are edible and tasty. After washing, toss into a salad. All of these can be done at home.

A more difficult process is the distillation of the rose in rose waters.  Rose waters are delicately flavored floral waters used in food and drink.   A popular drink in India is Lassi made with Yogurt, water, and rosewater. Another absolutely delightful Indian drink is freshly squeezed lemons with rose water.

Rose petals can be “candied” and used on top of cakes and confections.  There is a candy made with rosewater called “Turkish Delight”.  Pureed re-hydrated rose hips are sweetened and mixed with lemon juiced for a lamb sauce.

There is Rose Absolute, which is not considered the purest of the essence oils. Then the Damascas Rose Essence oil which is considered very healing and settles anxiety (great for cancer patients and those who are near-death). Finally, you have the essential oil called Rose Otto, which combines both sandlewood and rose.  Rose Otto was used and is still used in the Middle East. 

For the skin, rose petals and rose water are an excellent gentle anti-wrinkle way of caring for the skin.  You can use rose petals with witch hazel for a toner (non-alcoholic, hence not drying).  When used this way, you tincture the rose petals and mix some with your witch hazel.  The alcohol in a tincture is not like Isopropyl alcohol on the skin. Use the petals as a steam as well, to heal and refresh the skin.

A lotion can be made to soften the skin with the combination of rose water, infused rose petals and glycerin.  It along with violets and lavender is one of many flowers used for skin care for centuries!