What is Rose Water? Iranian Rose water (Golab), Benefits

What is rose water? The fragrant rose water is made from a combination of water and rose petals. A liquid used in perfumes and cosmetics that also bears countless benefits for the body.

Rose water is made by the distillation of the rose petals and the result is a very sweet and aromatic smell of rose extract. The creation and use of Damask rose water has been an extremely common activity in Iran for thousands of years. In fact, it’s believed that Persia was the birthplace of this popular scented extract.

Damask roses have many purposes, from syrups, perfumes, sweets, and herbal tea, to make-up products, herbal medicines, and a lot more.

Iranians have always regarded rose water as something valuable in their culture. Annually, rose water ceremonies are taken place in many rural villages in Iran, with hundreds of visitors enjoying the eccentric performances.

What is Rose Water Benefits?

For numerous centuries, medical books and scriptures have introduced the benefits of aromatic rose water. Many doctors, especially herbalists recommend the use of rose water to their patients since its medicinal values are unbelievably effective for both the body and the mind.

Today, some of the medications found in the pharmacy use damask rose water as one of their raw material ingredients. Here are some of the benefits of rose water.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Having fresh and clear skin plays an important role in our facial appearance. One of the substantial benefits of rose water is having anti-inflammatory properties.

Rose water contains Flavonoids, anthocyanin, and polyphenols, which help prevent inflammation and swelling. Moreover, rose water also protects the skin from UV light from the sun.

Acne can be a bothersome issue to deal with, but with the use of rose water, the red swollen bumps can be reduced and healed over time.

An Anti-oxidant

In your local market, you will come across countless food products that act as antioxidants. These antioxidants are chemicals that will hinder and lower any effects from free radicals.

Damask rose petals are rich with antioxidant qualities which are perfect for the protection of skill cells against any injuries or impairments.

A study found that rose water antioxidants bear potential lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects that, as a result, it will foster significant cellular protection.

Heals a Sore Throat

Most doctors prescribe antibiotics to patients who suffer from sore throats. However, rose water is one of those handy home remedies for sore throat that is used regularly in Iran and many eastern countries to treat a painful infected throat. Since rose water fights against infection, it is an efficacious product to consume for less severe symptoms of sore throat.

Improves Digestion

According to traditional medicine, rose water extract or oil is a common and useful medical solution to digestive disorders. In 2008, a study found that rose water can promptly cure digestive diseases such as cramps and poor digestion.

Adding a few drops of rose water extract to a warm cup of tea or water can repair the stomach acids and any pain regarding digestion. Because the damask rose has a warm temperament, it warms the stomach and slowly heals the digestive system.

Prevents Infections

Rose water has powerful antiseptic properties that can prevent infections immediately. This is why rose water extracts have been used in traditional medicine for many years.

Some eye drops found in the pharmacy include damask rose extract in their ingredients to stop infections in the eye and reduce inflammation in the sclera.

Reduces Stress

Many studies have shown that the consumption of rose water can have a potential effect on a person’s stress level and habits. For this reason, certain medications taken for depression and anxiety contain this aromatic rose extract.

Rose water for skin

A frequent question about the benefits of damask rose water is, “How effective is rose water for the skin?” Rose water is also a potent ingredient in a lot of beauty products, such as facial moisturizers and body lotions.

It has anti-aging qualities that will help remove wrinkles by rehydrating your skin and getting rid of dead skin cells. The production of oil on your face might be unbalanced.

Therefore, with the use of natural rose water, you will obtain healthy and fresh skin. You will see favorable results by applying the product to your skin over some time. In addition, rose water extract will alleviate and reduce any sort of pain and soreness in irritated skin.

Revives Respiration

Last but not least, rose water has relaxant effects on the respiratory system, which will aid in fluent inhalations. Breathing in the fragrance will boost your mood and open up your lung air sacs for fresh and clear respiration.

In many of the Iranian ceremonies, rose water is sprayed into the air for better respiration and to improve the ambiance of the place.

What rose water is used for?

As we pointed out earlier about the multiple purposes of the damask rose water, it could be used for various purposes. Some of the food products in the market contain damask roses.

Because of its intense sweet scent, damask rose extract is used in handmade incense sticks, perfumes, cosmetics, toners, face washes, creams, and body lotions to provide a pleasant fragrance.

A Perfume

In medieval times, during festivals, rose water was used for washing hands before a meal. The fragrant rose water was also used as perfume and sprayed onto the face for an attractive scent.

In India, rose water is sprinkled on guests to welcome them to a wedding. Rose water is also a typical agent used in religious ceremonies such as Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Baháʼí Faith.

In traditional Persian ceremonies, even funerals, rose water is sprinkled to heal the respiration system and brighten up the atmosphere. Rose water ceremonies are quite common in Iran.

Every year, Matin Abad Eco Camp will hold rose water ceremonies where locals extract damask rose water through traditional methods. Natives and tourists from all around the world gather to encounter the unique Persian rose water ceremony.

How can You use it as a perfume?

To enhance your mood, you can pour rose water into a spray bottle and spray it into your room or pillow at times of stress or for a more pleasant sensation.

For your skincare routine, you may want to add rose water to your list due to its powerful benefits. Bathe with rose water by pouring a sufficient amount into your bathtub.

After washing your face with your preferred product, try washing your face with rose water, then rinse it with water.

You can add rose water essential oil to a cotton ball and apply it to your face. This will help heal all sorts of skin problems and leave you with a glowing and spotless skin.

Rose water for cooking

The most favored use of rose water is in cooking and brewing herbal teas. For an aromatic experience, you can use rose water to drink herbal tea by adding the extract to your earl gray afternoon tea.

When baking cake or sweets, add a few drops of rose water to your ingredients, and you will be amazed by the results. Not only will it make your food have a sweet scent, but also its healing properties can help you in many ways.

Iran is one of the many countries that are the source and mother country of damask rose water or Golab. If you wish to taste the best Golab or rose extract, you should definitely spend your next vacation in Iran.

Rose water is one of the top ingredients in Persian cuisine after saffron. You can find Golab in Ice creams, cookies like Koloocheh, baklava, bread, jam, Faloodeh, juices and herbal drinks, scented dairy products, popular dishes like Ghromeh Sabzi stew, rice, and many more.

How to make rose water?

Making rose water is not a very troublesome task. There are three principal methods of making rose water. Distillation, simmering, and essential oil. Distillation is the primary method of obtaining the fragrant extract of the damask rose petals.

To get rose water through distillation, you will need damask rose petals, a saucepan, a metallic heat-proof bowl, ice cubes, and half a gallon of distilled water.

To start, place the bowl inside the saucepan, then add the petals (thoroughly washed) into the bowl. Add the distilled water and submerge the petals. Place the lid of the pot upside down over it and add the ice cubes on top.

The water should begin to boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Remove the lid and check if the petals have lost their color. If yes, you now have rose water. Let it cool, and pour it into a bottle for use.

Best Rose Water Brands in the Iranian Market

If you plan on buying damask rose water in Iran as a souvenir or perhaps for personal use, knowing which brands in the market have the highest quality is of great importance.

We recommend Rabi, Sahar Khiz, Nazoon, Zahra, and Toranj. These brands also provide more extracts such as mint water, fumitory water, and other herbs. You may like to try other healing extracts as well.

Lastly

Rose water is undoubtedly one of the best ingredients recognized in the world. Its popularity in Persian cuisine, alongside its ceremonies, has attracted many visitors for hundreds of years. Not to forget its healing abilities, rose water can help the mind and body in countless ways.

The effectiveness of rose water for hair and skin has been confirmed by many doctors. Herbal experts have always recommended this elixir to their patients because of its reviving properties. The sweet and aromatic scent of damask roses will influence your spirit and lift your soul.

Are you planning to travel to Iran and looking for an Iran resort? Consider Matin abad eco resort.