Rose hydrolat (rose hydrosol) is one of the most versatile of all the pure flower waters. The aroma is quite delightful, exactly like the divine fragrance of the plant: rich, floral, sweet, uplifting, heavenly – simply beautiful. And it has almost universal appeal.
So how should rose hydrolat be used?
In aromatherapy circles, rose is associated with the heart, with the emotions (especially love and forgiveness), and with skin care; particularly skin that is showing signs of aging.
So perhaps it is not surprising that rose hydrolat is a wonderful natural skin toner, especially useful for mature skin. But it can also be used for skin that is suffering from heat. In both cases simply spritz it onto the face a couple of times a day.
But because rose also has a cooling effect, it should be the hydrolat of choice for anyone experiencing hot flashes, or who is naturally inclined to sweating, or a red face.
This ‘cooling’ influence also transfers itself to the emotions. Try using it for adolescent boys, whose moods are a little out of control…
Hydrolats are the ‘waters’ that result from steam distillation of plant material (in the case of rose it is the petals that are used). So hydrolats contain the water soluble essences of the plant. It is significant that they generally have a pH value of between 4 and 6.
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