Benefits of Rose Water?

[AprilElf]

A while back I was searching all over town for rose water to put in my mister bottle. I finally found it - and in the meantime, forgot why I wanted it in the first place. :rolleyes: I mist with it (irregularly), but am not sure if there is any improvement or difference in my hair. Maybe I could just be misting with plain water ...

What does Rose Water do for you?

[mellie]

I don't know - sounds nice though!

BTW, your siggy pic is gorgeous!! (Your avatar pic too!)

[ChloeDharma]

In a quick search i couldn't find much information specifically on rosewater for hair, but mostly it seems to be used for sensitive and mature skin. I remember when i was at college doing beauty therapy that rosewater was a preferred liquid for mixing masks for sensitive, damged or ageing skin.
When i use it it's mainly for the smell, but it does seem to make my hair extra soft compared to just water.

[Isblå]

It smells fantastic. I use it for that sole reason. If it helps the hair too i'll be thrilled. I think it is supposed to help irritated skin, but i'm not sure.

[Aisha25]

It's also good to make sweets mmm:D

[ChloeDharma]

It's also good to make sweets mmm:D

I swear one of these days i'm going to start an "ask Aisha" recipes thread on one of the other boards! ;)

[maryva]

What sweets do you make with rosewater? I vaguely remember a recipe for "rose poundcake" when I was a child. I've also heard rosewater is good for sensitive skin, and it just smells nice.

[mellie]

It is good to add to the syrup for baklava....yum!!!

[jessie58]

AprilElf a couple of years ago I embarked on a rosewater spree for hair and face. I found that besides smelling pretty, it did nothing for my hair. I use an ounce or two of it in my spritzer for scent.

However for my face it seems to be both an astringent and a softener. I wash with water only and then take rose water on a cotton ball and go all over my face with it, then rinse with cold water. It seems to make my face extra clean yet also soft as can be.

I don't actually know the real properties of it but this is how it works for me.

You have to be careful not to buy rose scented water. It's not the same as real pure rose water. The real rose water is steam distilled water made from organic rose petals.
I made my own at one time until I started becoming worried about commercial roses having been treated with chemicals and pesticides. Homemade rose water must be refrigerated and does not last long.
Indian stores sell the real rose water. It doesn't need refrigeration.

[Aisha25]

I swear one of these days i'm going to start an "ask Aisha" recipes thread on one of the other boards! ;)
:laugh: your so sweet,alot of indian sweets use rose water like jalebi and arabian ones too like mammoul.

[jessie58]

My friends use rosewater and orange water in their fruit salad.

[ChloeDharma]

:laugh: your so sweet,alot of indian sweets use rose water like jalebi and arabian ones too like mammoul.

Yes, i've been too lazy to get around to making sweets/puddings, but i saw an Indian recipe very much like rice pudding that included rosewater that i thought looked nice, as well as a coconut version that looked great too.
Anyway, i'm not sweet....i just know from some of your posts that you're a bit of a kitchen goddess and Indian food done well is i think some of the best there is! ;)

[Aisha25]

Yes, i've been too lazy to get around to making sweets/puddings, but i saw an Indian recipe very much like rice pudding that included rosewater that i thought looked nice, as well as a coconut version that looked great too.
Anyway, i'm not sweet....i just know from some of your posts that you're a bit of a kitchen goddess and Indian food done well is i think some of the best there is! ;)
oh I think you are talking about kheer I make this but I dont add rose water to strong for me you can make easy one with just milk sugar cinnamon and elaichi:)

[Ms Monnie]

I use rosewater all the time on my hair. I find it's a great way to soften without weighing my hair down, it lifts mild greasiness and it's essential if I experiment and it goes wrong - a good dousing with rosewater usually prevents me having to wash it too soon.

I ran out recently... I miss my rosewater.

[CopperHead]

Rose hydrosol makes my hair very soft and you can't beat the scent. I love anything roses. I use Burt's Bees Rosewater and Glycerin facial toner in the morning and I love it! Also CV Rose Clay and Shea soap on my face. I think I see a pattern here. ;)

[anniefish]

I mist it on my hair sometimes and it seems to make it shinier and softer, although I could be imagining it.

My uncle sometimes makes firni (Persian/Middle Eastern/Indian dessert) for me using rosewater. It's yummy :) And I think it smells great too, reminds me of walking into an Indian sweet shop because a lot of Indian sweets use it in their recipes (my family is Indian). In fact, speaking of Indian sweets, I think I'll go eat some jalaibi right now...

[Aisha25]

I mist it on my hair sometimes and it seems to make it shinier and softer, although I could be imagining it.

My uncle sometimes makes firni (Persian/Middle Eastern/Indian dessert) for me using rosewater. It's yummy :) And I think it smells great too, reminds me of walking into an Indian sweet shop because a lot of Indian sweets use it in their recipes (my family is Indian). In fact, speaking of Indian sweets, I think I'll go eat some jalaibi right now...
Get some for me too:lol:

[freznow]

Googling seems to show that it works well closing the cuticle as a final rinse, and surely there are oils in it that help.

I think part of it is that it's better than tap water. If you're going to buy distilled water for your mister to avoid the stuff in the tap water, it's only one more step to buying lovely smelling and oft raved about rose water.

[maryva]

Does anyone know the least expensive rose water that is decent quality, and where to find it? I'm learning so much from this board!

[Aisha25]

Indian shop always has some and its pretty cheap.

[jessie58]

Rosewater in the Indian stores that is meant for consumption is very inexpensive, under $2.00 a bottle. It can be found on the drink shelf in all Indian corner stores.
I found that rosewater in the drugstore is usually not pure but infused with rose essential oil. It's also a great deal more expensive.

[DarkChocolate]

I use rose water as a perfume:)

I had it in a mango lassi at an Indian restaurant once:) It was so good:)

I have watched movies from the Middle East where they put it in dishes:)

[mellie]

Mmmm. Mango Lassi....

[Nat242]

I spritz my face with rose water after OCM or other cleansing treatments. It seems to act as a light astringent, and make my face very soft.

[AprilElf]

Thank you all for the responses. :blossom:
Yes, the rose water I found was from a local Indian food store, and was fairly cheap.

freznow said:

I think part of it is that it's better than tap water. If you're going to buy distilled water for your mister to avoid the stuff in the tap water, it's only one more step to buying lovely smelling and oft raved about rose water.Good point!
I haven't managed to find distilled water yet, though. :o

I think I'll make a point of using it more often, and seeing what happens.

[Celebrian]

Oh, thanks for the information about Rose water being cheaply available from Indian stores!

I've been looking around for some time now, and didn't really know where to go for it.

Here in UK, pharmacists/chemists used to mix it on the premises for you - either with witch hazel (I think) or with glycerine, for use on skin.

Lots of those homely little touches have gone now, alas!

[Missie]

I so wish we had Indian stores where I live in Western Australia. I found an online site in Australia for Bulgarian rose water and after freight it costs $30 for 250ml spray bottle.
Sigh

[Neen]

Here in UK, pharmacists/chemists used to mix it on the premises for you - either with witch hazel (I think) or with glycerine, for use on skin.


I so wish we had Indian stores where I live in Western Australia. I found an online site in Australia for Bulgarian rose water and after freight it costs $30 for 250ml spray bottle.
Sigh

In Australia, Soul Paterson chemists make up rose water on the premises for you. This is where I have been getting mine for about $3 for 100ml.

[Missie]

Thank you so much for that info about the Soul chemist

[Nat242]

In Australia, Soul Paterson chemists make up rose water on the premises for you. This is where I have been getting mine for about $3 for 100ml.

Thanks for that! I know my local Indian store stocks it from time to time, but it's touch and go. I went in the other day and they didn't have any in stock, so I've been buying mine from my local organic-goodies store, which is more expensive.

[Aditi]

Rosewater is the ingredient of my homemade moisturizer. It very easy, non-sticky and very effective in cold winter days for skin. I mix rosewater and glycerin in equal proportions in a bottle and then add one lemon juice in it, keep it overnight and voila my homemade moisturizer is ready to use and it smells wonderful when you apply it to your body. And best thing is that it is meant for all skin types.

[ChloeDharma]

Oh, thanks for the information about Rose water being cheaply available from Indian stores!

I've been looking around for some time now, and didn't really know where to go for it.

Here in UK, pharmacists/chemists used to mix it on the premises for you - either with witch hazel (I think) or with glycerine, for use on skin.

Lots of those homely little touches have gone now, alas!

If you have a reasonable sized Tesco's near you then try their world foods section, 99p for 1 liter and often it's on BOGOF too :)
I don't know what part of the UK you live in but if you are near any cities they normally have an Indian area, though often you have to ask someone where the good places are. In London i find West Croydon/Thornton Heath and Upton Park in east London good. Upton Park actually is especially good. Southall out West London way is said to be great but i've not been over there yet. I have no idea if this is helpfull to you or not but fingers crossed!

[Celebrian]

If you have a reasonable sized Tesco's near you then try their world foods section, 99p for 1 liter and often it's on BOGOF too :)
I don't know what part of the UK you live in but if you are near any cities they normally have an Indian area, though often you have to ask someone where the good places are. In London i find West Croydon/Thornton Heath and Upton Park in east London good. Upton Park actually is especially good. Southall out West London way is said to be great but i've not been over there yet. I have no idea if this is helpfull to you or not but fingers crossed!

I was born and bred in London!

Recent years have found me in Yorkshire... :eyebrows:

Yes, I know where to go for the asian stores in these parts. Just had absolutely no idea that rose water would be found with them.

Tesco? I don't usually shop there, but do have one fairly close. 99p a litre sounds brilliant! Is it ok/better than ok quality, would you say?

[coppercurls]

I use a few spritzes of rosewater & a drop of glycerin as a facial moisturizer. Good Stuff!

[maliha]

Even i use rose water and glycerine in a spritz bottle for skin moisturization ,,,its great,,

[ChloeDharma]

I was born and bred in London!

Recent years have found me in Yorkshire... :eyebrows:

Yes, I know where to go for the asian stores in these parts. Just had absolutely no idea that rose water would be found with them.

Tesco? I don't usually shop there, but do have one fairly close. 99p a litre sounds brilliant! Is it ok/better than ok quality, would you say?

Ah right, i had no idea where you were based so i figured i'd just tell you where i know of just in case....

As for the quality, well...it seems good from what i can tell, i don't have much to compare it to though but it smells beautiful and seems to leave my hair softer if i use it to mist with compared to plain water....how much of that is just me thinking it is doing that i don't know but at 99p a liter it's worth giving a go.
Rosewater is used in Indian cooking like Aisha was describing and also some religious ceremonies i think.