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Rose water is scented water made by steeping rose petals in boiling water. The liquid can be used as a perfume or for cooking. It also has medicinal properties.
Some people use rose water to soothe irritated skin, ease depression, and improve digestive problems, although more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
There is, however, a
Read on to learn more about rose water benefits for your eyes, as well as ways to use this remedy.
Whether you have computer eyestrain, eye allergies, or another condition, rose water is a natural remedy that may work.
Here’s a look at conditions and symptoms that may improve with rose water.
Conjunctivitis
Rose water has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help ease symptoms of inflammatory eye disorders like conjunctivitis.
Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva. This is the clear membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the white part of your eyeball. Small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, resulting in an eye that’s reddish or pinkish in color.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies, bacteria, or a virus. It can easily spread from person-to-person. Symptoms including eye redness, tearing, and itching.
Conjunctival xerosis
This condition causes dryness of the eye membranes, often due to a vitamin A deficiency. Correcting the deficiency may improve symptoms, along with using rose water to naturally reduce dryness and irritation.
Acute dacryocystitis
Rose water also has anti-infective properties, making it an effective remedy for acute dacryocytitis.
This is an infection in the tear sacs. It can cause inflammation, redness, and swelling.
Some people use anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, and a warm compress to treat this condition. Rose water can also decrease inflammation and relieve symptoms.
Pinguecula and pterygium
Pinguecula and pterygium refer to growths on the conjunctiva.
With pinguecula, a yellow bump develops on the side of your eye near your nose. It’s made up of protein, fat, and calcium.
Pterygium, on the other hand, is growth of fleshy tissue. The growth starts small, but can gradually increase and cover the cornea.
Dry eyes and exposure to dust are causes of both conditions. Rose water can help prevent dry eyes and cleanse the eyes of dust, reducing the likelihood of developing these conditions.
Cataracts
Cataracts cause gradual clouding of the eye lens, leading to impaired, blurry vision.
This condition may require surgery to improve vision. During the early stages of a cataract, however, self-care measures may slow the progression of the disease, reducing eye blurriness and dryness.
You can use rose water in your eyes to prevent this dryness.
One possible cause of a cataract is intraocular inflammation, so regularly applying rose water to your eyes may prevent a cataract from forming.
Rose water isn’t meant to be an exclusive treatment for any of the eye conditions listed above.
Seek medical care of a doctor and share with them what else you would like to add to the treatment plan. Even though rose water is a natural remedy for the eyes, side effects are possible.
If you’ve never used rose water, test a small sample of the liquid on your arm before applying it to your eyes. Check for signs of an allergic reaction.
Signs of a reaction include skin burning, redness, or itching. If your skin is sensitive to rose water, don’t apply it to your eyes.
If you apply rose water to your eyes and develop stinging, redness, or burning, discontinue use and see a doctor.
Here are a couple of simple ways to use rose water for eye care:
Eye wash
While cleansing your face in the morning or at night, you can complete your routine with a rose water eye wash. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for application.
With a dropper
If you have eye dryness, an eye infection, or eye inflammation, apply rose water to the affected eye using a medicine dropper.
A dropper also comes in handy when you need to rinse dust particles from your eye.
Add one to two drops of rose water to the affected eye. If you’re removing dust particles, gently rub your eye for a couple of seconds, and then rinse your eye.
If you’re using rose water to reduce redness or inflammation, sit with your eyes closed for a couple of minutes after applying the drops.
With a cotton ball
The effectiveness hasn’t been proven, but some people use this method of applying rose water to reinvigorate tired eyes and reduce dark circles under their eyes.
To try this yourself, dip a cotton ball or cotton pad into rose water, and then place the cotton over your closed eyes for about 20 minutes.
You should purchase rose water at organic and health food stores. Or check out these products available online.
Dry, itchy, red eyes can make it difficult to work or see, but natural remedies like rose water may improve your symptoms.
While rose water can benefit the eyes, it isn’t right for everyone or every condition. See a doctor if you develop a reaction to rose water, or if your eye symptoms don’t improve or worsen while using the remedy.