Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Rose water goes well with strawberries and other tart fruits that balance out its sweet smell and flavor, Vasavada says. For example, her raspberry rose rhubarb cheesecake tart has 1 teaspoon of rose water in the crust and 2 teaspoons in the filling.

In other medical cases, rose water is known to be beneficial in the treatment of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Compotes: We love a splash in our strawberry compote, but you can add ¼ teaspoon to any fruit compote for another layer of complexity. The ancient Romans infused wine with rose petals but the process of distilling steam to create rose water has its roots in ancient Persia. Scholars and physicians in what is now Iran first documented the distillation process as early as the 9th century. That said, should you decide to pat it on your face while making some rose-scented milk pudding we wouldn't blame you! Table of Contents

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Editor’s tip: You can find more of Vasavada’s recipes in her cookbook, Milk and Cardamom. (Here are other Indian cookbooks we love.) How to Use Rose Water for Cooking Indian: Rose water is in many Indian sweets, which are known as mithai or mishti. Among popular Diwali sweets, rose water is often in rasmalai (a cold, juicy treat) and lyangcha (a deep-fried sweet). Due to its soothing and anti-inflammatory effect, rose water can be taken to treat a sore throat. Furthermore, a study has shown that it can act as a relaxant on the muscles in the throat. Eyes

Rose water tastes slightly sweet and floral. It enhances the flavor of fruits like strawberries and raspberries, or sweetens the flavor of milk-based recipes like yogurt, puddings, or ice cream. I enjoy it stirred into yogurt with a drizzle of honey and crushed pistachios.Research has shown that rose water has antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties. It is believed to induce sleep and to have a hypnotic effect similar to that of the pharmaceutical drug diazepam. If floral waters are new to you, then start by adding a small amount (¼ teaspoon) and working your way up. Keep in mind, if you add too much of anything floral, it can taste soapy, but just the right amount is heavenly. This is created by distilling the rose flower. The oil can be mass-produced in factories and is a pale, yellow color and semisolid.

Additionally, Vasavada recommends adding it to lemonades and strawberry daiquiris to balance the tart fruit flavors in those beverages. She also says rose water is in Indian drinks such as faloodah (a cold dessert drink often served with ice cream) and Rooh Afza (a syrup that’s in many other sweet beverages). Savory Dishes with Rose Water A specific protein fragment called an amyloid, which is created by the body, has been shown to be present in these conditions and to affect the brain function, kill cells, and hinder memory. Encouragingly, properties found in rose water are an inhibitor of this amyloid. Headaches French: Rose water is sometimes in French pastries like madeleines, macarons and these Pistachio Palmiers. Rose water has been used in aromatherapy for some time and can also be applied to a cloth and laid on the forehead for similar effects. Digestion The inhalation of rose water vapors has been traditionally used as a way to improve a person’s mood. The liquid can also be taken orally.

This, in turn, can help soothe the skin and reduce redness, as well as act as an anti-aging product by reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Middle Eastern: Rose water is often in Middle Eastern recipes like halva, Turkish delight, and sometimes baklava. It’s a key ingredient in this Lebanese Rose Water Rice Pudding and this Israeli Malabi with Pomegranate Syrup. Water and roses only: The only ingredient on a label should be 100% rose water. Look for an all-natural rose water free from additives, dyes or preservatives.

Rose water is the fragrant liquid distilled from fresh rose petals. It is a pantry staple throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East, just a dash adds a delicate floral quality to both sweet and savory foods. Photo Credits: Andrea Gralow Rose water has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which mean it can help wounds heal faster, by keeping them clean and fighting injections. Buy rose water online (we sell it in our shop here at The Mediterranean Dish), or at a specialty grocery store or Middle Eastern market. There are two main types of rose water: food grade and cosmetic. To cook with rose water, make sure you’re buying food grade rose water. You can use the food grade rose water for cosmetic purposes, but you should not use the cosmetic kind in food. People have used rose water for centuries for both culinary and aesthetic purposes. Many use it today as perfume or facial toner, but this aromatic liquid is also common in traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dessert recipes like Turkish Delight and Baklava.

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If you’re adding rose water to something that you aren’t heating—such as whipped cream or Vasavada’s lemon cardamom and rose posset—add it 1/4 teaspoon at a time, she says. Mix and taste as you go until you reach the perfect amount of rosiness. Understand how it interacts with heat Today, it's a beloved ingredient used in Middle Eastern, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines. However, it is available and used worldwide. The delicate floral note differentiates iconic dishes like French rose macarons and Turkish Delight. How to Store It A distillation apparatus is set up. A large pot is filled with water and placed over a heat source with a condenser and a collection vessel. The heat source is then fired up to bring the water to a boil. Rose water became hugely popular in the Middle East during the early Middle Ages. There, they used rose water not just for desserts but in medicine, for religious ceremonies, dentistry, and more. Crusaders later introduced the fragrant water to Europe, where it became a luxury commodity among the aristocracy. The ingestion of rose water has also been shown to have beneficial effects on the digestive system. It works by increasing bile flow, which helps symptoms of common complaints, including bloating and upset stomach.