Alternative Healing Wednesdays

Rose Water

Rose water is made by distillation of hundreds of flower petals. Rose water is used in food, cosmetics, and confections. It is a delicacy in the Middle East.

Rose Water is antiseptic tonic for the skin.  It assists in dry skin to re-hydrate.  Rose Water is exceptional for mature inflamed and sensitive skin.

Rose Wine

Comes from Persia. It is an ancient form of wine. It was used by royalty as a digestive, with its mild stimulating qualities.  It is thought to be good for the heart.

Rose Vinegar

Using the petals of the rose, they are placed within the vinegar to be tinctured.  It has a cooling effect, and good for the digestion.  I use rose petal tincture made with vodka for regularity...and calm the digestive tract.

Rose vinegar can be used on fruit salads.remove the stems, and green heels before placing in vinegar. Make as you would a tincture.

Rose Hips - Free Stock Photo

Rose Hips

Can be used in wine, teas and syrup.  First you remove the irritation causing hairs, to prepare them for use. Fresh hips can be pureed and made into a jam, or with the addition of lemon juice made into a sauce for lamb.

Rose Hips contain vitamins B, F, K, and high quantities of  vitamin C. To use just for vitamin content use as a tea, or as syrup. It is one of the ingredients in both of my immune-boosting formulas for staving off influenza and colds in the winter months.

Flower Petals

Like Calendula, can be eaten fresh in salads. the fresh petals are used in potpourri, wreaths and garlands, to create a delightful scent throughout the home.  It has a calming affect on the nerves.

Petals can also be crystallized and used as a garnish on confections or deserts. You can make custard with the petals, as well. The Chinese make a Rose Petal liqueur in a pork dish.

Rose Syrup

Is used in confections, for making all manner of delightful deserts. I suppose it would be an interesting change in pancake or french toast recipes as well.


References:

Bremness, Lesley.  The Complete Book of Herbs: a practical guide to growing & using herbs. Penguin, 1994.

Rose: (gift of the angels) rosa damascena. http://www.kamleshayurveda.com/top/rose.htm  Kamlesh Ayurveda (Aroma Therapy).

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!