Today is Valentine’s Day, so I thought it would be a perfect time to share how to make rose water. Just in case you received some roses. And if you didn’t, maybe you want to buy some for yourself. Alternatively, save this recipe for later. Roses bloom from May through October. So there is plenty of time to pick some petals throughout the year. 

Rose water has a lot of different benefits and can be used externally on your skin, you can ingest it, or use it for ritual or spellwork. 

Roses are most often associated with love and romance and are therefore used in rituals and spellwork that pertain to love. They can however also be used for manifesting prosperity or for any kind of cleansing as an alternative to sage. Using rose water as opposed to flowers, petals, or powder, is excellent when you don’t want your work to be seen. 

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is believed that rose water can soothe skin irritation. Some also say that it can reduce wrinkles or work as an antiseptic for wounds. 

When ingested or inhaled, research has shown that it can help with stress, tension, and anxiety as it calms the nervous system. It can improve your mood and reduce headaches. It can also aid digestion, especially if suffering from constipation. 

Rose Water Recipe

Collect 6 to 9 rose flowers. This will amount to roughly 2 cups of petals. If you buy roses make sure that they are safe to consume. Aside from the roses, you will need a pot large enough to fit the rose petals, a strainer, a bottle for your finished rose water, and one to two liters of distilled water.  

Start by washing your petals before placing them in a pot. Add just enough of the distilled water to cover the roses for the most potent rose water. Bring the water to a simmer over low heat. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer the petals until they lose their color. This will take half an hour to 45 minutes. Let the rose water cool completely before straining into a jar, bottle, or spray bottle. Store in a cool and dark space or the fridge for up to a month.