Benefits of Rose Water

A close friend asked me to post about Rose water & it's benefits - so here goes.

Rose water is a staple in Lebanon. It's a must in the house whether to be used for baking or as home remedies for skin irritations & more.

Rose water is a by-product of Rose Oil.  During the preparation of Rose essential oil, a distillation process is used & the oil is separated from the water - making both a Rose Oil & Rose Water. Both the rose oil & the rose water contain a beautiful scent & natural healing properties.  Rose water contains a variety of nutrients and vitamins; one vitamin that is highly available in rose water is Vitamin C (a must in everyone's diet). Vitamin A can also be found in rose water, as well as antioxidants - such as flavonoids (Quercetin - allergy suppressant, gallic acid, malic acid, citronellol geraniol and more.

Rose is a natural astringent (contracts tissues and canals of body, diminishes blood or mucus discharge) with anti-inflammatory properties.  It has hydrating & rejuvenating affects on the skin.

BENEFITS 

Please note that these benefits are only found in genuine natural rose water - some manufacturers produce synthetic rose water which have no therapeutic value. It is important you obtain the right product to see results

Astringent -Contracts tissues -Diminishes blood/mucus discharge	Relieve Eye Irritation & Infection	Applied by cotton swab, dab eye lid & around the eye area to relieve eye irritation Also helps reduce puss due to conjunctivitis or bacterial infections of the eye. Antiseptic. Apply throughout the day, especially before bed and after waking up.  Anti-inflammatory
	Facial Toner	Helps absorb excess Oils Helps in controlling Acne
	Diminish Wrinkles & Pores	Tightens pores Reduces appearance of fine lines
	Soothes Headaches	Dab on temples and eye area to ward off or soothe headaches.
	Reduces Skin Redness	Diminishes the redness caused by enlarged capillaries.
	Bleeding	May help reduce or stop bleeding in minor cuts & wounds Cleanses cuts & wounds
Aperient  -Laxative -Purgative	Constipation	Helps in relieving constipation & gas
Carminative -Relieves Flatulence	Gas / Flatulence	Helps in relieving constipation & gas
Refrigerant -Cooling effect	After Shave	Reduces irritation after shaving
	Hives Rashes  Chicken Pox Eczema	Mixed with Corn Starch - Reduces Irritation & diminishes Itch
	Sunburn Soother	Soothes & cools sunburned skin slightly disinfects skin to help in preventing infection & irritation
Cardiac Tonic -Stimulates & Strengthens Heart Metabolism	Heart Health	Aids in Circulation used in treatments for heart disease Anti-inflammatory
Other Properties	Make-up Setting Spray	Add it to spray bottle Spritz lightly over your face.   It will set your makeup and gave you a dewy finish for hours.
	Body Mist	Add it to spray bottle Spritz lightly.  (Add a couple drops of Rose oil to enhance smell)
	Hair	Add to shampoos to give refreshing smell & help soften & condition hair. Pour over head while showering - can reduce inflammation of the scalp,  Can increasing blood supply to the scalp and promotes hair growth.
	Natural Cleanser	With the addition of a few drops of Rose Oil, you could make a natural cleanser.
	Make-up Remover	With a cotton swab, you could use Rose water as a make-up remover. apply in a circular motion (take note not to press hard, so as to not irritate the skin)
	Balances skin pH	Helps in controlling dry & oily skin Soothes dermatitis conditions ie. eczema
	Hot Bath	Add to a hot bath for relaxation help Helps in trapping moisture - making skin smooth & firm Relieve fatigue Improve your mood  Reduces stress and depression
	Emotional & Psychological	Mild sedative and anti-depressant Improves Mood Reduces stress Relieves Nervous tension
	Air Freshener	Just as a body mist, this natural remedy can be used on both the body & in the home. Spritz Rose water (with a few drops Rose oil) for a refreshing scent
	Cooking	Rose water is used in many desserts & baking recipes. Some use it as a substitute for vanilla extract

Benefits of Parsley

Parsley

We overlook parsley as a garnish, but look again and you'll realize it can be used in a wide variety of ways.

Make a parsley Salad, use it to add flavor, or make your body healthier.

Parsley is known to be an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory and contains compounds that are anti-cancer. It's Vitamin rich including vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K to name a few.

Anti-Cancer	Myristicin	Inhibits tumor formation (especially in the lungs) Activates the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, which helps the molecule glutathione attach to, and fight against, oxidized molecules. Can also neutralize carcinogens like benzopyrene in cigarette smoke that can pass through the body, consequently fighting against colon and prostate cancer.
Antioxidant	Luteolin	Parsley is rich with an antioxidant arsenal that includes luteolin, a flavonoid that searches out and eradicates free radicals in the body that cause oxidative stress in cells. Luteolin also promotes carbohydrate metabolism and serves the body as an anti-inflammatory agent. Furthermore, two tablespoons of parsley contain 16% of the RDA of vitamin C and over 12% of the RDA of vitamin A - two powerful antioxidants.
Anti-Inflammatory	Vitamin C	The vitamin C found in parsley serves as an effective anti-inflammatory agent within the body. When consumed regularly, they combat the onset of inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis (the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone) and rheumatoid arthritis (a disease causing inflammation in the joints).
Healthy Immune System	Vitamin C	The vitamin C and vitamin A found in parsley serve to strengthen the body's immune system. Vitamin C is necessary for collagen, the main structural protein found in connective tissue. This essential nutrient will not only accelerate the body's ability to repair wounds, but also maintain healthy bones and teeth.
Respiratory, Urinary and Intestinal Tracts - All to fight Infection	Vitamin A	Vitamin A, fortifies the entry points into the human body, such as mucous membranes, the lining of the eyes, and respiratory, urinary and intestinal tracts. Moreover, lymphocytes, or white blood cells, rely on vitamin A to fight infection in the body.
A Healthy Heart	Vitamin B9	Homocysteine, an amino acid that occurs in the body, threatens the body's blood vessels when its levels become too high. Luckily, the folate (or vitamin B9) found in parsley helps convert homocysteine into harmless molecules. A regular garnish of parsley can help ward off cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
Bone Health, Hearth Health & Nervous System health	Vitamin K	Two tablespoons of parsley have a whopping 153% of the RDA of vitamin K, which is necessary for the synthesis of osteocalcin, a protein that strengthens the composition of our bones. Vitamin K also prevents calcium build-up in our tissue that can lead to atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Finally, the vitamin K found in parsley is essential for synthesizing sphingolipid, the fat needed to maintain the myelin sheath around our nerves, and therefore our nervous system as a whole.