Roses are not only beautiful, but they are a soothing, fragrant herb that we can use in recipes, both culinary and cosmetic. Always make sure you are using an organic, unsprayed or treated rose in your recipes. If you don't grow your own, buy the petals, buds or hips from a reliable source.

You can mix dried rose petals in with other herbs or black teas for a lovely tea. Add them to your bath teas as well, or your recipes for bath salts. The following recipes will also give you ideas for using roses.

Rose Toner

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups witch hazel

1/2 cup dried rose petals

5 sprigs of fresh rosemary

Mix ingredients together and blend well. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight and strain. Use to splash on face, or gently put it on with a cotton ball. Keep chilled. Lasts for one week.

Rose Petal Tea

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups fresh rose petals

3 cups water

honey or rose sugar to sweeten

Remove the petals from the flower under cool running water. Place the petals in a non-aluminum saucepan. Cover with the water and boil gently for 5 minutes, or until the petals lose color. Strain into tea cups and add honey or sugar to taste. Serves 4.

Rose Petal Sugar

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar

2 cups fresh rose petals, minced

Combine the sugar and rose petals in a mortar and pestle and pound the roses into the sugar. Place in a covered jar for one week about a week, then sift the rose petals out. Keep in an airtight container.

Rose Tea

Ingredients:

1/2 cup tightly packed rose petals

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/4 orange, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 quart boiling water

Place the rose petals, nutmeg, sugar, and chopped orange into a pitcher. Pour boiling water over petals and steep for 5 minutes. Strain. Serve hot or cold.

Oatmeal Rose and Honey Facial

Ingredients:

1/8 cup rose petals, minced

1/3 cup oatmeal, finely ground

4 tsp. honey

1 tsp. rose water or 2-3 drops rose essential oil

Mix together rose petals, oatmeal and honey until will mixed. Blend in 1 teaspoon of rose water or oils. Apply to your face after washing and allow it to stay on your skin for a 1/2 hour. Rinse your face with warm water.