Embracing Romance: Creative Ways to Use Rose Petals This Valentine’s Day

The historic symbol of the rose is fascinating, in Ancient Rome a wild rose would be placed in doorways where confidential matters were to be discussed, have you ever heard the phrase “sub rosa” (under the rose) which means to be secretive or discreet. This is why in later decades ceilings would be adorned with the symbol of the rose in reference to this ancient custom.

During the Victorian era the fascination with floriography grew, the art of expressing emotions through flowers took the humble rose to the peak of romantic representation.

Different varieties, variations in colours and even the quantities carried an unambiguous message to the beneficiary. The traditional red rose, symbolises ardent love, admiration was shown with soft pinks, and the white rose spoke of new beginnings. The quantities bore great significance too, sending an unspoken message or declaration. Habitually this is why we associate the red rose as tokens of love, a timeless and traditional gift, a universal emblem of deep true love.

This Valentines Day there are some easy ways to utilise the rose within your home to create that loving feeling, setting the mood and adding beautiful layers of colour and scent which can really accentuate these affectionate emotions on special occasions.

Simple yet effective ideas for petals in the home this valentine, even if a little cliché, rose petals scattered across the dining table to create an intimate atmosphere, arranging petals in heart shapes or scattered on the bed/floor, running a bath topped with your favourite bubbles and rose petals.

For more ideas, check out this article from Better Homes and Gardens for simple tips bhg.com

In the kitchen?

Beverages infused or decorated with roses have become increasingly popular. Rose petal tea which can be enjoyed hot or chilled in the warmer months are now sold commonly online, these could be a refreshing alternative to traditional teas. Different roses are thought to have different concentrations of active chemical components. One study of 12 rose cultivars found they had a range of antioxidants that was just below to nearly double that found in green tea.

Roses can of course be used to decorate a cheeky Valentine’s cocktail, using sugar syrup round the rim of the glass dipped into crushed dried petals and filled with strawberry daiquiri or cocktail of choice. If vodka is your tipple Wild Food UK have a great DIY vodka rose vodka recipe. Don’t forget you can make beautiful ice cubes to chill your drinks, freezing petals with other botanicals in a regular ice cube tray.

If a cocktail isn’t your thing, but crunchy shortbread or gooey chocolate cake is rather more mood enhancing for you, roses can be used to decorate and garnish for that added touch.

Health and Beauty Benefits of Rose Petals

Rose petals are not just visually pleasing, they are also thought to offer a wealth of skincare benefits. Considered historically to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, these natural compounds make rose petals a valuable ingredient in skincare products, potentially helping to soothe, protect, and rejuvenate the skin.

Rose petals are thought to have high vitamin C, A and E content which have become increasingly utilised in skin care products over the last decade. Rose petals have been incorporated into high end to high street skin care products, they are thought to help hydrate and tighten the skin while reducing fine lines and softening dark circles over time.

Not only good for the skin, but petals are also commonly used in aromatherapy, with rose oil being a popular product. A study published in the National Library of Medicine claims that the benefits go beyond just relaxation, it is claimed that there are benefits such as “Anti-depressant, psychological relaxation, improving sexual dysfunction, and anti-anxiety effects were the other clinical properties reported for rose oil.”

This Valentines, perhaps rose oil should be on your shopping list!

Homemade, a gift with love?

Making homemade presents for your loved ones is another cliché tradition that we can totally get on board with, if you are wondering how to make a little token for your loved one then we have some cute suggestions with minimal effort but great results.

Our Homemade Rose Petal Bath Salt Scrub

This recipe is ideal if you like to have a relaxing soak without all the potentially nasty chemicals found in shop bought scrubs or bath bombs.
Recipe
1 ½ cups of Epsom Salts
¼ cup Pink Himalayan Sea Salt (Or course sea salt)
½ cup dried rose petals & buds
10 drops of rose oil

Mix your ingredients well and store in a cute Kilner jar or similar.

Rose Petal Potpourri

Dried rose petals can be placed inside a glass jar with other fragrant botanicals of your choice and used to scent your home (or car – just place in a burlap or similar bag).
You’ll need a jar, dried rose petals and rose oil. You can add dried rosemary, cloves, cinnamon or star anise to personalise your scent. Leave your mix in the jar for 24 hours somewhere warm, then open and enjoy.

Confetti

At Mimea we sell not only Rose Petals, but Rose Buds too which are ideal for crafting projects and decorations. Commonly our petals are purchased to create biodegradable confetti for weddings which is a sustainable alternative and one which is becoming increasingly more obligatory at wedding venues who are mindful of littering.

Oh and by the way, did you know… While the sharp objects along a rose stem are commonly called “thorns,” they are scientifically called prickles.