They smell amazing, look even better, and you can use them for virtually any project, whether it’s hiding an ugly wall or decorating your cakes with them.
What am I talking about? Roses, of course!
These flowers have it all! But have you ever wondered how to use their petals so that they don’t go to waste like last year?
Here are some ideas that might help you!
But First, Let’s Learn How To Dry Them
It’s incredibly simple to dry your rose petals. You can do it in a dehydrator overnight or use your oven by following these steps.
Step 1. Use fresh rose petals without any blemishes and make sure they haven’t been treated with harsh chemicals.
Step 2. Rinse them with filtered water and drain them as much as possible.
Step 3. Line a tray with parchment paper and place the petals on top of it in a single layer. Just remember to remove all stems, bugs, dust, and anything else that finds its way onto the tray.
Step 4. Preheat the oven to 200°F and bake the petals until they curl and you can see there’s no water left inside them. They should be crispy to the touch and easily breakable. If they’re still flexible after you take them out, place them back in the oven for 2 more minutes.
Step 5. Store the dried petals in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry area.
* You can also dry your petals by cooking them in a pan on low heat or by placing them in direct sunlight.
Note: If you don’t have a trusted supply of fresh and untreated rose petals, you can always get dried organic ones online. Just make sure they come from a trusted source.
11 Uses For Rose Petals
There are many interesting facts about roses, but there are even more things you can do with them aside from making bouquets and flower arrangements.
Some even go so far as to make their own sunscreens out of them, but I’m really not sure whether they work, so I stick to tried and tested recipes.
Let’s check them out!
1. Rose Tea
Rose tea has numerous health benefits, such as keeping you hydrated and helping with weight loss. It is packed with antioxidants, may help with menstrual pain, and has some benefits for mental health, such as relaxation, stress relief, etc. (1)
So how do you make it?
Easy! Cover it in hot water, put a lid on it, and let it steep for about 15 minutes to 4 hours, depending on how strong you want the taste and color to be.
And if you want the perfect morning drink, brew it with green tea to get some caffeine and a slightly tart flavor.
Warning: When using rose petals to make anything you’ll eat, drink, or put on your skin, make sure they are 100% organic, untreated with chemicals, and come from a trusted source if not from your backyard.
2. Rose Petal Jam
I’m not that keen on floral jams, but I simply had to try this rose petal jam recipe. It’s quick and easy to make and gives a whole new dimension to your buttered toast and morning rose-infused green tea.
And if you have plenty of roses in your garden and hate for their petals to go to waste, you can make a nice batch of jam out of them.
3. Rose Infused Oil
If you’re into making your own soaps and other hygiene products, you already know that rose oil is one of the staple ingredients.
And yet, if you don’t have any lying around, you can infuse some carrier oil, such as sweet almond or olive oil.
Step 1. Fill a canning jar halfway up with dried rose petals and completely cover them in your carrier oil of choice. Make sure there are at least 2 inches of oil covering the petals.
Step 2. Cover the mixture with a lid, place it in a dark and dry place, and leave it to infuse for the next 4-6 weeks.
Step 3. You can check the mixture from time to time and, once you find it to your liking, strain the oil and use it for your homemade crafts.
And if you want to create a cleaning product that doesn’t smell too bad, substitute the oil for vinegar to create a powerful agent. (You can add some lemon juice if roses don’t hide the pungent vinegar smell entirely.)
4. Rose Petal Vinegar
Did you know that you can make rose petal vinegar that will give your salads and dishes a floral aftertaste?
Cover the rose petals in vinegar, put a lid on it, and let the mixture steep for 4-6 weeks in a cool, dark, and dry spot (like a cupboard).
Once the mixture is done, strain and decant it into something that will make it easier to use. You can use this mixture for vinaigrette, as a hair rinse (just dilute 2 tbsp per cup of water), and to ease sunburn pain. (2)
5. Rose Water
One of the first things rose lovers decide to make is rose water. You can use it for other rose recipes or simply as a tonic before your skin care.
And it’s unbelievably easy to make!
Rinse organic rose petals in water, place them in a pot, and cover them with water. Put a smaller bowl in the middle, invert the lid of the pot upside down, and place some ice on top of it to allow the gas to condense. Simmer it this way for half an hour and that’s it.
6. Solution For A Sore Throat
Believe it or not, there’s actually scientific research backing the use of rose water to cure a sore throat. R. damascena, commonly used in making rose water and essential oil, has anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxant properties which can help with a sore throat. (3)
You can also make rose tea and stir some honey in it, making sure the tea is not too hot.
Or you can make rose-petal honey. Use fresh organic rose petals and coat them with honey until they’re covered. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon or bamboo skewer and let it sit in a dark and dry place (such as a cupboard) for about a month and a half.
Afterwards, when you feel the cold catching up on you, you can brew any tea (a sage one works wonders) and spike it with some rose-petal honey.
7. Homemade Lip Balm
I’m not that keen on homemade skin care, but there are some things that just work. And one of them is your very own lip balm made out of delicate rose petals.
This recipe calls for fresh ground rose petals and some coconut oil. Boil the two things together, squeeze them into a small container, let them cool, mix, and let cool again for a simple, blush, and fragrant lip balm
Here’s how to make it:
8. Bath Salts
Adding rose petals to your bath might not do much for your skin, but it does fix the mood and set your mental health for success.
But what if I told you there is a way to benefit from this?
Just make your own bath salts infused with rose petals and their scent. Mix a cup of Epsom salt, a handful of dried rose petals, and a quarter cup of sea salt.
And if you want the fragrance to be more powerful, just add a couple of drops of rose oil (or your own rose infused oil).
Store everything in a glass jar and use it whenever you need a break and a relaxing time just for yourself.
And when that time comes, place a handful of it in a cotton bag (or even a sock when in a pinch) and strain it in water. Salts and petals can clog your drain, but that won’t happen with this technique. And you’ll still get all the fragrance out of it!
9. Homemade Skin Cleanser
I didn’t know this, but it’s incredibly easy to make a homemade skin cleanser. If you want to reap the benefits of roses, you can make a rose skin cleanser.
Mix 2 teaspoons of raw milk with 2 teaspoons of your own rose water, and that’s it.
Check out this video for more info:
Or you can go one step further and use a teaspoon of powdered rose petals and mix them with just enough water to make a paste. Add some honey to moisturize your skin and gently rub it into your face.
This will clean and exfoliate your skin, so don’t use it too frequently.
P.S. Since honey has a moisturizing and hydrating effect, leave the mixture on your face for 10-15 minutes to work.
10. Food Decoration
If you want a calorie-free, stunning, and tasty way to spike your food, there’s no better way than sprinkling some rose petals on it.
And if you want to take it to a whole new level, you can try some edible flower recipes that call for roses, such as rose tea cakes, syrup, or even pickles.
Use them for your salads, incorporate them into any cupcake and cake frosting, and elevate your fruit and cheese plates.
11. Potpourri
I don’t know about you, but I love seeing bowls and sachets of potpourri in bathrooms. It gives me a feel of cleanliness and freshness.
So, of course, I make it myself regularly since buying it wouldn’t pay off.
To make a rose potpourri, mix the dry rose petals with cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, and dried ginger for a refreshing fragrance.
Put it in sachets or unique plates for a cool display and place it wherever you want to – sock drawer, bathroom, closet, or even your pillowcase for a fragrance to lull you to sleep.
Unlimited Supply Of Rose Petals
If you’re really into rose petal recipes, there are strategies to get more rose blossoms, and thus, more material for your projects.
Choose plants suitable for your area and USDA hardiness zone, find the variety that produces plenty of blossoms and reblooms, and remember to deadhead the spent flowers for another flush of flowers.
And don’t forget to propagate your roses from cuttings because that will yield more rose bushes, more flowers, and more petals.
References:
1. Mandl, E. (2019). What Is Rose Tea? Benefits and Uses. Healthline.
2. The Best Sunburn Remedies Under the Sun. MD Now Urgent Care.
3. Boskabady, M. H., Shafei, M. N., Saberi, Z., & Amini, S. (2011). Pharmacological Effects of Rosa Damascena. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.