Joanna James
Rose water, made by distilling rose petals and water, has been a part of the beauty routine and medical ailment since the 7th Century. Here's why it is popular amongst the Middle Easterners.
It is a soothing agent and can help with conditions like eczema, sunburns, and rosacea, thereby reducing the redness of the skin. You can use it as either a facial toner or cleanser; just apply it on its own or along with your moisturiser or if you prefer, coconut oil. There are usually no side effects, however, if you have very sensitive skin, try applying a very little amount on your arm and leave it for 24 hours. If you have no adverse reaction, you are safe to use it anywhere else on the skin. Rose water drops are also known to be used as eye drops to treat dry eyes and conjunctivitis.
To ensure the product you purchase is of good quality and is pure as most products that are mass manufactured are usually just water with the rose aroma!
Rose water contains anti-oxidants, which essentially protect the skin against the harmful UV rays. It also inhibits the elastases and collagenases, which are harmful to the skin and lead to early ageing. Who says the elixir of youth doesn't exist?
It has been proven that inhalation of rose water vapour, improves, and elevates a person's mood. It is also believed that it has a hypnotic effect and is able to induce sleep. Thereby, it also helps to relieve headaches and migraines. You could soak a piece of cloth in rose water and place it on your head during headaches. Or if you have trouble sleeping, you could spray some rose water mist onto your pillows to better help you sleep. You could also get rose oil, which is a more concentrated form, and use it with oil burners for a pleasant fragrance.
Rose water has been used popularly in aromatherapy. Due to this reason, there are many resorts and villas in Oman, the likes of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, that have a spa which uses traditional Arabic methods and rose water in their indigenous spa treatments.
Despite not having the distinct medicinal smell, rose water, has antibacterial and antiseptic properties and is therefore used on wounds to help them heal faster by fighting off any secondary infections due to the cuts. Not only this, it also helps healing scars. Rosewater was therefore not just used by the Queens and Princesses but also Soldiers and warriors!
There are researchers that suggest that, due its anti-inflammatory properties, it can also help soothe the gastric lining and aid in digestion by improving the secretion of bile (which is required to digest fatty foods). You can consume rose water in the form of rose water tea, that is made as an infusion, to overall benefit your skin and digestive system.
Rose water is used in many Middle Easter desserts, thus adding a unique flavour to these dishes. A popular middle-eastern combination is rose water and pistachios, ingredients used to make Baklava and basbousa, to name a few.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
