Rosewater {DIY}

 

 

“There is simply the rose;
it is perfect in every moment of its existence.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love roses  – what female could resist the charms of such a lovely flower? Alas, I do not love them enough to ask my husband to bring them home at a very costly expense neither could I use them in our wedding flowers with such a high price tag. Roses are such beautiful flowers, so lovely and fragrant and delicately perfect in most ways, however the price of them is just too high for purchasing on a whim.

 

Often wish I could go to my garden and pick a small bouquet for the kitchen table or tea time on Tuesdays …  so this year, I decided to try my hand at a tiny rose garden… just six different varieties of roses scattered through my garden, but mainly near the front porch (which is my favorite place to sit and have tea – which is exactly what I am doing right now).

 

They are so beautiful and bring me so much joy. They replaced a portion of the garden that was simply filled with “filler” ground cover so I am delighted to see this area used in a more pretty fashion.

 

 

Roses are not just amazing for their beauty, however. I was delighted to have roses so I could collect rosehips and use the flowers for various projects – such as homemade rosewater.  Rosewater is often used as a natural facial toner and can be added to baths for a romantic touch. It can be worn as a lightly scented perfume and used to refresh bedding with a spritz bottle.

 

There are a few ways to make rosewater – but the way I chose was very simple.

First, pluck off your rose petals and collect them in your basket. When  you have a nice amount, you may choose to rinse them or place them directly into water in a small pot.

 

Just barely cover the rose petals with water. Cover with a lid and  let the water simmer for about 20 minutes or so until all of the color have left the petals.

 

Strain your water into a measuring cup, which you will use to pour into your glass containers or mason jars.

 

 

 

And that is it! It is very simple and yet produces a lovely reward. If you wanted to intensify the scent, you can either add more rose petals or add a drop of rose essential oil. {Personally, although I would like some, I do not have rose essential oil and actually do not mind the lightly scented water.}

Keep your rosewater in a cool location or the fridge. And enjoy! Tiny, prettily wrapped bottles would make lovely presents for dear friends. I am going to give one bottle to my daughter, who as she gets older, is getting into more of a good nightly routine for cleansing her face. Using rosewater sounds like a romantic, lovely natural way to take care of your skin. Rosewater is antiseptic and an astringent.  It can also be used topically on minor wounds to help heal and stop the bleeding. Rosewater can also gently fade marks of acne or blemishes on the skin.

 

 

There is something very rewarding finding ways to save money, lift your spirit and encourage good health … all from you home.

 

 

“I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,
but I’ve never been able to believe it. I don’t believe a rose WOULD be as nice
if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.”
-Anne of Green Gables

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