10 Conditions You Can Treat Naturally With Rose Water

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Rose water is exactly what it sounds like: water that has been infused with rose petals. Many beauty brands boast about the inclusion of rose water in their products, which is great for branding and promotion because it just sounds lovely. However, the inclusion of rose water is actually much deeper than a marketing ploy that companies use to convince you to purchase their products. Rose water really does work and its countless benefits extend well beyond the realm of beauty to health and mental wellness. Best of all, it is natural, non-toxic, and vegan. Here are 10 uses for rose water that you may not have known.

Soothes irritated skin

When it comes to soothing dry and itchy skin, rose water is one of the best natural solutions that you can apply to the affected area in order to soothe the skin.

“It’s anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, has antioxidants and it hydrates — four main reasons why it’s so effective and can be used for so many reasons,” says Dr. Tabasun Mir, a skincare physician in cosmetic dermatology and cosmetic laser surgery, told the Huffington Post. “It’s also good for those who are acne-prone because people don’t realize that acne is caused by bacteria on the surface of your skin.”

As a result of its anti-inflammatory properties, many use rose water to soothe the side effects of conditions such as eczema or rosacea. Simply apply it to the affected area and allow the rose water to do the rest.

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Treats a sore throat

One of the worst parts of being afflicted with a respiratory condition such as the common cold is the fact that it often comes with a sore throat. Rose water, however, can help to treat this icky ailment if taken by mouth. Research has also found that gargling with rose water can help to relax the throat muscles.

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Helps to clean and mend wounds

In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, according to Medical News Today, rose water also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. This means that it can clean wounds, ward off infection, and speed up healing time for cuts and burns while fading the appearance of scars.

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Helps to soothe the effects of depression and anxiety

Though it may be difficult to believe, rose water also bears several mental health and wellness benefits. According to Healthline, in 2011, a study found that rose petal extracts helped to relax the central nervous system in mice subjects, which results in antidepressant and antianxiety effects. Studies like this always have to be taken with a grain of salt since positive results in mice don’t necessarily mean the same effect will be seen in humans, but this is promising.

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Offers relief for headaches and migraines

When it comes to treating headaches and migraines, rose water can be used in multiple ways. One way is to apply it to a damp washcloth and place the washcloth on your forehead for 45 minutes. It can also be used as a form of aromatherapy by simply inhaling the scent via a facial mist or a fragrance plug-in such as this.

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Provides oil control

Rose water has been said to act as a mild and natural astringent, which is great news if you happen to have an oily skin type. Astringents assist in the removal of excess oil and dirt from the skin; however, regular astringents typically include alcohol, which often causes the skin to dry out. Thankfully, this is not the case with rose water.

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Acts as a natural toner

While many beauty brands will use rose water as an ingredient in their toners, rose water can actually be used by itself as a standalone natural toner. Toners should be applied to the face after cleansing. It helps to remove leftover dirt, debris, and dead skin cells after cleansing. It also helps to offer additional hydration, minimize the appearance of pores, and refresh the skin.

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Helps to treat dandruff

Though rose water is often toted as a savior of sorts when it comes to skincare, it also has haircare benefits. Spraying the scalp with rose water a few times per week has been found to reduce the appearance of flakes associated with dandruff as well as soothe an itchy scalp.

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Acts as a natural acne treatment

In addition to healing wounds, rose water can also help to naturally treat acne. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties help to prevent and limit the growth of bacteria that often lead to breakouts. Further, rose water can help to soothe inflammation and irritation caused by pimples