Happy New Year Lovely World!  My hopes and intentions are set for 2019, are YOURS?

I have so many wonderful intentions and goals for this year, I simply cannot wait to get started.

I talk so much about essential oils, that sometimes I feel I neglect power of plants in its entirety.  Nature is just brimming with possibilities when it comes to all the ways it can be utilized for our health and wellbeing.  We all love a little bottle of pure essence of say: ROSE.  I actually have one teensy bottle of Rose Absolute essential oil.  When I bought it years ago I knew nothing of what I was purchasing, I simply let my nose, and my budget, lead the way.  I purchased this little gem from my local health food store, probably on sale.  I’ve used it, forgotten about it, put it in a diffuser (oops it is blended with Jojoba oil) dabbed it on my wrists and basically wrote it off as just a pretty smelling oil.

Oh little did I know.

I have been a fan of roses for as long as I can remember.  OH I love a strong smelling full bodied rose.  I love to grow them.  I have grown roses in every home I have lived in, if even one rose bush in a pot.  Now,  in my new home I am craving a few more bushes, only this time my goals are different.  This time I want to grow them so I can harvest them for my personal products.  That said, with my one little potted rose bush, I have made scrubs, teas, infused oils, infused waters for hair rinses and facial mists and I have LOVED my little rose journey.

Armed with a little more education I now know precisely why roses are so valuable and  also which species really packs nature’s 1-2 punch of constituents for soothing, hydrating and helping skin look and feel its best.

Pure, high-quality Rose essential oil can be costly, and no where near the probably less than $10 I spent on mine.  If you are looking for some please read the label carefully so you know what you are getting.  If the bottle doesn’t show the botanical name of the plant it could be its cheaper species Rosa centifolia (still wonderful, just not the same) or goodness knows something altogether not rose.  Use your nose when making purchases, get familiar with what a pure, high-quality oil should smell like.  Make sure its not diluted with carrier oils (unless you are okay with that and for many purposes its fine) just know what you are getting.

If you cannot find or afford a high-quality rose oil, you CAN purchase a hydrosol which is the byproduct of the steam distillation process.  Hydrosols are another part of the world of aromatherapy and essential oil, and a topic I will discuss in the future.  They are a wonderful way to obtain natures healing power in a less costly, sometimes gentler, safer, way.

IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO organic, non-treated, home-grown or wild roses that you know are not treated with pesticides and  (yes, I’ll even say it, grown with love), you can make many kinds of oil or water infusions that smell wonderful and will delight your skin and body.

If you have a safe organic source you can harvest them and use them in DIY products and recipes.   Rose petals contain anti-oxidants and vitamin C, you can use your petals for many lovely creations.

Safe, organic rose petals are edible.  Sip some rose petal tea, put some rose petals in sugar cookies or scones.  Sprinkle a few petal on a green salad for color and delight.  They are even nutritious.  ** caution ** if you have allergies use caution and ask your doctor if you are concerned. **

Bath salts and scrubs are beautiful with fresh rose petals.  They not only are lovely to look at but are so soothing and nourishing to all skin types.

Rose scent is very heart uplifting so if you or anyone you know is suffering from grief or recovering from any situation where they are experiencing anger, relationship conflicts, depression or intolerance, a little rose oil can be very helpful to bring comfort and assist on any journey of the heart. It’s even been used as an aphrodisiac so a rose water bath before a romantic evening could be another way to appreciate flower power :).

Here is a little recipe to try if you have never considered using rose petals beyond enjoying a bouquet of flowers:

DIY Hydrating Rose Skin and Hair Mist

Supplies

• Handful of fresh or dried rose petals
• 2 cups water (filtered would be best)
• 1-2 tablespoons full fat canned coconut milk
• 1-2 tablespoons aloe Vera gel or juice ** optional **
• few drops of Vitamin E or Jojoba oil
• 2-3 oz glass bottle with fine mist sprayer

Instructions

• Using a ceramic or glass bowl, or even better a French press, place your fresh or dried petals in the vessel and pour 1-2 cups of boiling water on top. It’s best to cover it while it steeps so you don’t lose those volatile “essential” oils with the evaporation of steam.  Let it steep for 3-5 minutes then strain out the petals.

Note on rose petals:

If you can use your own home-grown roses that is KING as long as you are sure they are not treated with any kind of chemicals. If you can find wild roses you know are safe that is also a wonderful way to appreciate nature and utilize the gifts of flowers.  ** DO NOT USE PETALS FROM ROSES YOU MIGHT GET FROM A FLORIST, ETC BECASUE THEY ARE MOST ALWAYS TREATED WITH CHEMICALS FOR PRESERVATIVES AND PEST CONTROL.  

Now that you have your infused rose water (tea), find, preferably, a glass spray bottle with a fine mist sprayer (who wants a shot of water in their face).  Mix together 1/4 cup water and add the coconut milk, and the aloe vera juice or gel if using.  Add in the few drops of oil you chose, cap and gently mix.

Give your new facial/ hair mist a try!  I like to keep one in my bathroom for morning and evening skin uplift and one in my purse for anytime my face feels dry or tight and I want a lift.  Sometimes it just makes a nice moment to inhale and feel good.  Try it on a light sunburn, rashes or skin irritations.  It’s great for all  ages and all skin types.

** If you have and want to add in a couple drops of essential oil, like rose or jasmine or neroli of course you can.  A teaspoon of vanilla extract (pure and organic please) mixed with the coconut milk is HEAVEN.  The possibilities are endless depending on what you are looking for.  Be creative!

I hope you give it a try and please let me know if you have any questions or comments.  I love to share, inspire and teach. It’s why I do what I do.

Oops my water is boiling, time for tea..

~in health and happiness

Annie