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February 19, 2020
Top 5 Ways to Use Rose Petals
Roses are timeless flowers that everyone is familiar with. Whether you grow them in your garden, get them as a bouquet from your loved one or see wild roses growing along the trees in summer- we all smile and hopefully slow down to take the time to smell their sweet scent.
Have you ever thought to use them beyond decor or for their visual beauty? Jessica is sharing her top 5 ways to use or repurpose those gorgeous rose petals instead of throwing them in the compost!
Guest written by Jessica, from Prairie Soap Shack.
Jessica is a certified herbalist, mom, nurse & owner of Prairie Soap Shack. She handmakes artisan soap & body products with all-natural & wildcrafted ingredients from the Alberta Prairies. You can find her on her website or on Instagram
All the Uses for Rose Petals
Did you know rose petals are edible? It’s best to use your own homegrown roses to know if any chemical was used on them. They pack a strong punch, so less is more if you’re going to try a bite! But you can add them to muffins or cakes, or top for decoration if you’d like an extra floral touch to your baking. They are full of nutrients including vitamins A & C. So be adventurous and add some different flavor in your kitchen!
It’s easy to make your own rose water. You can use either fresh or dried rose petals, place ~1 cup into ~4 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to boil and simmer for about 30 min. Strain the petals out with a fine mesh strainer and you have rose water! This is a strong infusion and the colour may come out quite dark.
There are endless uses for rose water. First, its culinary uses as its been used for centuries. Rose water can be added for flavouring in cooking or baking. Or my favourite idea is to freeze into ice cubes and use in your lemonade, punch or cocktail at your next party! I also used it this week to add some flavouring into my fermented kombucha.
Next, rose water in beauty products is AMAZING! It is so beneficial for your body with all its skin loving properties. Rose water is hydrating, balancing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory & helps soften fine lines and wrinkles.
You can use the rose water as a face toner, applying with cotton balls after cleansing your face or misting directly onto your skin. The roses have mild astringent properties, so it helps tighten pores and gently tone your complexion. It’s anti-inflammatory which helps reduce redness and helps acne.
You can also use the rose water as a room spritzer to freshen the air. Optional to add a few drops of essential oils like geranium, rose or lavender. These aromatherapy benefits can help uplift your mood.
Simply adding a few rose petals to some epsom salts & sea salts will have you feeling like you’re a Greek goddess. Rose petals in a bath are luxury & self-care at its finest. Soaking in the magnesium rich salts and having rose petals around you promotes relaxation & calmness. The roses also help soothe irritated skin, brighten your complexion & tighten your pores for a smooth appearance.
Try mixing in pink Himalayan salts for the colour variety. Soak for at least 20 min for full benefits. Be sure to scoop out the rose petals before draining to avoid clogging!
A fresh flower and herb facial steam is an effective way to gently coax out impurities while calming the mind & uplifting the spirit! You can use rose petals and any other in season flower or herb such as lavender, chamomile or mint. Lilac comes to mind as a super fragrant flower in bloom.
Steps: Fill a bowl on the kitchen table with the flowers & herbs and optional to use a couple drops of essential oils such as skin-loving lavender. Boil your kettle and pour boiled water over the flowers. Sit down with the bowl in front of you and cover your head with a large towel, creating a kind of tent above the bowl. Check the steam is not too hot, and once comfortable, let the scented vapours make their way to your face. Be careful not to let the steam get too hot against your skin. Close your eyes and relax, steaming for 10 minutes. This would be a great time to meditate, listen to soothing music or just deep breath.
The benefits of using steam to promote healthy skin have been used for centuries. The gentle warmth and humidity encourage detoxification. Steaming helps promote the release of toxins held in the skin and helps the pores open and breath. This helps reduce redness, softens blackheads, releases dirt & impurities, moisturizes the skin & evens out skin tone. This leaves you rejuvenated, with soft & glowing skin!
You can infuse rose petals into vinegar (white or apple cider) to create a brilliant multipurpose cleaner, laundry rinse aid, or even a clarifying hair rinse! You simply take the rose petals, fresh or dried, about 1 cup and place into glass mason jar. Fill to the top with vinegar and let infuse for 1-2 weeks. Use a piece of wax paper under the metal lid as the vinegar will corrode the lid. Shake every now and again while infusing. To strain, use a fine mesh strainer and you have a gorgeous pink, sweet smelling vinegar!
If the smell is still too strong for your liking, you can add a few drops of essential oils to enhance the scent but also contribute to cleaning benefits. It will keep for at least a year! To use as a multipurpose cleaner, dilute into water to a ratio of 1:4 and use in a spray bottle. Can be used on most surfaces, but avoid granite, stone or marble.
To use as a laundry rinse aid, use undiluted. It helps soften clothes, deodorize & reduce scum in your machine.
To use as a hair rinse, dilute with water to a ratio of 1:10. Apply after shampooing & conditioning, apply the mixture over your hair evenly, working into your scalp. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing out. Be careful to avoid the eyes! Vinegar hair rinses, commonly made with apple cider vinegar, are known to improve scalp health, strengthen hair, enhance shine, balance hair pH, reduces frizz, and promote hair growth. Jessica had a friend who had extremely oily hair out of nowhere, likely from product build up. After many salon treatments and money spent- the home method of apple cider vinegar rinses is what fixed her hair and restored it to its natural healthy state.
Rose infused vinegar can also be used for cooling & soothing uses such as itching, sun burn, bug bites and hives.
You can also use rose infused vinegar in your favourite vinaigrette recipe!
Time to get adventurous and make yourself a luxurious rose petal sugar scrub! This DIY scrub will get your skin glowing and feeling silky and smooth. Sugar scrubs polish away dull flakiness and increase blood flow to the surface of the skin. Besides this scrub feeling lovely, you’ll also feel special making something with your rose petals. Enjoy this recipe!
Small handful of fresh rose petals
1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
2-3 tbsp sunflower or other light oil
3 drops essential oil (such a sweet orange, lavender, geranium)
• Place the rose petals and sugar in the bowl of a small food processor. Blend until an even texture and colour is achieved. Spread the now-coloured sugar in a single layer over a sheet of wax paper and allow it to air dry for 1-2 days.
• Place the dried rose sugar in a small mixing bowl. Add the oil, 1 tbsp at a time, stirring well after each addition. Continue adding oil until you’ve reached a consistency that you like. Add 3 drops of essential oil for scent. Stir well.
• Use over dry spots and other areas of your body needing exfoliation (I love it over my legs), or you can use it as a hand scrub after washing your hands. Rinse well with warm water. Be careful if using in the shower or tub, since the oil may make the floor slippery.
As lovely as a rose
I hope you’re feeling inspired to make some creative things with your rose petals! My favourite rose is the Wild Alberta Rose. I look forward every summer to foraging a few wild roses and later on the rose hips to make things with! Working with plants and nature gives a person a sense of calmness and accomplishment. Find a way each day to de-stress by connecting with nature.
-Jessica, xxoo
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the VINTAGE SOCIETY CO. team
What started out as a duo of Brittany and Deborah has now expanded into a TEAM!
Deborah McDOnald
CO-FOUNDER
AKA @bvintagestyle
Small town girl, renovating our 117 year old home little by little. Sharing simple life on an urban farm.
Brittany Hislop
Co-Founder
AKA @white.farmhouse
Living a simple life in a rural Alberta town and painting her house white and photographing it as she goes!
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