Rose (Rosa spp.) - Beyond this flowers heavenly scent lies its properties: antidepressant, astringent, cleansing, antiviral,
antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, as well as aphrodisiac.
Sumptuous Rose Bath
1 Cup Rose Petals OR
1/2 Cup Rose Water (found in health food stores)
1/2 Cup Coconut Milk
To Make: Draw a warm bath. Add the Rose petals (or any type of pesticide-free edible flower) or Rose Water and Coconut Milk.
To Use: Slip in tub and relax for 10-15 minutes. Rinse, tone, then moisturize.
Rose
Cream for Day Use
6 fl. oz. Almond oil
2 oz. Beeswax
1 heaping tsp. anhydrous Lanolin
1 tsp. Borax dissolved in 4 fl. oz. Rosewater
2 tsp. Zinc Oxide rubbed into a smooth cream with 4 fl. oz. Almond oil
10-20 drops oil of Rose
Quantity: Makes enough for about three 4 oz. cream jars.
To Make:
1) Heat the beeswax and the lanolin gently in a water bath. Do not let the wax simmer or burn.
2) Remove from heat and add the Almond oil slowly.
3) Add the zinc oxide-Almond oil cream beating the mixture continuously.
4) Add the borax-Rosewater and beat until cool.
5) Add enough oil of Rose to scent the mixture to your liking.
6) Beat until cold with a small wooden spoon.
7) Pour into three 4 oz. cram jars and let sit until solidified.
To Use: This makes an excellent everyday cream that can be used under makeup or as a moisturizer.
1) Simply rub gently onto face, hands or throat. As a throat moisturizer the cream is excellent, especially when rubbed in with a large marble or small avocado pit.
2) Rub in gentle circular motions while looking up into the sky, thereby stretching and stimulating your neck muscles.
Benefits:
1) Almond oil replaces necessary body oils
2) Rosewater is a gentle astringent and moisturizer replacing liquid to the cells and tightening the skin
3) Lanolin is a potent emollient and very much like human oils
4) Borax is a skin softener and will help to produce a very white cream while its disadvantage is that it often adds a grainy texture
5) Zinc oxide is useful for healing reddened, sore or irritated skin.
Night-Time Rose Creamy
Lotion 20 fl. oz. Almond oil
16 fl. oz. Rosewater to which have been added 1 oz. dried red Rose petals, this soaked for 3 days, then strained out and removed
3 oz. Beeswax Essence of Rose, if desired
To make: 1) Into a water bath or the top of a double boiler put the oil and the wax.
2) Heat until the wax is dissolved and then remove pot from the fire.
3) Add the Rosewater slowly, beating all the while, and beat until it is cool.
4) At this point add the essence of Rose a drop at a time, if you like.
5) Beat the creamy lotion until cold, pour into a bottle and store away for use.
To use: This lotion makes an excellent Rose Cold Cream to remove old grimy dirt or makeup.
1) Simply apply with clean fingertips and remove with fine tissue.
2) Then you might take a teaspoonful of cornmeal in each palm and rub the hands and face well with it.
3) Rinse with warm water and then cold.
4) Pat the remaining fine film of cream into the skin for night-time smoothing.
Benefits:
1) Almond oil and Rosewater are known an excellent moisturizing lubricant for normal to dry to sensitive skin
2) Cornmeal is a gentle tonic stimulating to the tissues and acts as a "beauty grain".
Tip: Whenever making fine cosmetics always use a porcelain or glass pot. Some beauty experts recommend stainless steel cooking pots but these often leach poisonous heavy metals into the enclosed liquids. Nonmetal is best for herbs.