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Rosa damascena is a highly-scented rose that makes a delicious flavoured vinegar [Image: H Zell - Wikimedia Commons]

Therapeutic rose petal vinegar

Apart from being used as a food ingredient, this vinegar has many other healthful applications.

This simple recipe for an organic rose petal macerate makes use of beautiful summer roses to give you a lift any time of the year and has many uses both internally and externally. 

Ingredients

• 100 g (3 oz) rose petals (dark, perfumed rose such as and preferably organic)
• 500 ml (16 oz) organic cider vinegar
• Macerate rose petals in vinegar for at least 5 days before straining and bottling.

The vinegar will keep at room temperature for up to 6 months.

Therapeutically it is used as restorative for the nervous system. It is uplifting and can calm the nerves, lift depression, and dispel mental and physical fatigue.

For internal use

When diluted it makes refreshing drink and its benefits include:

• Arresting bleeding, discharge, phlegm
• Relief for period pains and PMS
• Clear toxins and heat from the body – good for adrenaline surges (rushes), hot flushes and inflammation

For external use

This vinegar can be uses as a skin rinse, toner, mouth wash, douche, bath vinegar and is good for:

• Toning and energising for dry and normal skin
• Preventing wrinkles
• Clearing redness
• Reducing red thread veins
• Clearing skin blemishes and inflammation

It can also be used as:

• Mouth wash, for mouth ulcers, bleeding gums
• Gargle for sore throat
• Douche for vaginal discharge
• Bath vinegar – to enhance sensuality