natural beauty
Beauty Begins in the
ROSE GARDEN By Patricia Danflous
PLANT A FEW ROSE BUSHES THIS SPRING AND YOU ARE ON THE WAY TO BEAUTIFUL, GLOWING SKIN WITH MAKE-IT-YOURSELF ROSE WATER.
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ince the days of King Arthur, rose water has been used as a culinary ingredient, an essential in many fragrances, and as a natural cosmetic. Your face can feel smooth, silky and delicate with regular rose water use – and you can make it yourself for pennies. A cleanser, toner, a very
gentle astringent, and moisturizer, rose water stimulates facial skin and other areas of the body for glowing natural beauty. Filled with antioxidants and vitamins, the flowerbased liquid provides nourishment to the skin and minimizes signs of aging. It is also known to soothe irritated or sensitive skin, cleanse oily skin, and has natural revitalizing effects.
You can purchase rose water – be sure to buy 100 percent pure, not synthetic or with added preservatives – or find it as an ingredient in a variety of beauty products. Making it yourself however, is easy, fun, and your kitchen will smell delightful during the process. It will take you a little more than a half an hour to make up to a quart of rose water.
EQUIPMENT – one glass quart-sized
bowl, a brick, a large pot with an inverted lid
INGREDIENTS – two to three
quarts of fresh rose petals, water, ice cubes or crushed ice in a bag • Place a brick in the center of a large pot, put the glass bowl on top of the brick. • Add rose petals until they each the top of the brick. Pour water over the petals until it reaches to top of the brick. • Cover the pot, with the lid in an upside down position • Bring water to a rolling boil. • When the water begins to boil, place ice (about three trays full) or a bag of crushed ice on the lid. • Lower the heat to a simmer. • In three, 20-minute intervals, lift the lid and take out a couple of tablespoons of water. • Remove the pot from stove and cool. • Strain and store your homemade rose water in containers of your choice such as glass bottles or jars.
What’s your natural beauty recipe? Share it with us! editor@inspirehealthmag.com
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INSPIRE HEALTH
YOUR SOUL
DISTILLING YOUR OWN ROSE WATER
