GALEN'S COLD CREAM RECIPE WITH ROSE

Galen's cold cream recipe with rose

Roses are often used by herbalists. Galen (Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus), often anglicized as Galen, is credited with a cold cream recipe using plant oil, rosewater, rose oil, and beeswax. This simple yet effective recipe was used in various forms over the next 2 000 years, and is the basis for what we now call cold cream. 

Galen of Pergamon, (September 129 - c. 216 BC), was a Roman and Greek physician, surgeon and philosopher. He is considered one of the most accomplished of all medical researchers of antiquity, and influenced the development of various scientific disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and neurology, as well as philosophy and logic.

Galen's cold cream formula, produces a thick rich cream. The cream can be used as a hydrating cleanser for dry and mature skin. 

The original face cream recipe follows:

Ingredients

1.5 oz of organic rosewater

1.5 oz almond oil or olive oil

2 teaspoons beeswax

10 drops rose otto essential oil

Method;

• Melt almond oil or olive oil with beeswax in a double boiler
• Heat rosewater to the same temperature in separate pan
• Remove melted oil mixture from heat, begin to whisk 
• Slowly incorporate the rosewater, until mixture thickens into a cream
• Stir in the rose otto essential oil drops

Store the cream in a sterilized glass jar. Seal the pot when the mixture has cooled. The shelf-life is 1-2 months. Remove the cream with a small spoon to reduce contaminants from your hands.

This recipe makes a lovely cream with the fragrant scent of roses. [1]

Cautions;

Do not use this cream, if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. Do not use almond oil if you are allergic to nuts, substitute with olive oil. 

Do not use olive oil if you are allergic to olives.

Do not use beeswax if you are allergic to bee stings or honey. 

Hymn of Thanks for Healers

O Divine Source of wisdom bright,
Who kindled minds with healing light;
We lift our hearts in grateful praise,
For healers’ works through all our days.

For every physician, wise and true,
Whose caring hands our strength renew;
For every chemist, keen of sight,
Who laboured long by day and night.

For those who searched through nature’s store,
In root and leaf, on distant shore;
Who drew from earth its hidden grace,
To soothe the pain of suffering’s face.

For nurses gentle, watchful, near,
Whose quiet presence calms our fear;
Whose tender care and patient art,
Bring balm and hope to mind and heart.

For all who answered to the call,
To serve the weak, to tend to all;
Who gave their lives in steadfast quest,
To bring to suffering relief and rest.

Bless every mind that sought to find,
Relief for body, soul, and mind;
For all whose skill, refined through years,
Has wiped away each patient’s tears.

Through trial and effort, success and gain,
They strove to lessen human pain;
With courage firm and vision clear,
They pressed on through many a year.

O Giver of each healing gift,
Our hearts in thanks to You we lift;
For through these souls Your Mercy flows,
In their work Your Goodness shows.

May all their labours, great and small,
Be crowned with blessing over all;
May all their service ever be,
Great sign of Your deep Charity.

 

[1] The original natural beauty cold cream recipe from ancient Greece - Galen; Alleged News

https://glowitgreen.com/the-original-natural-beauty-cold-cream-recipe-from-ancient-greece-galen/

Disclaimer: Please note that the information on this herbal post is not meant to replace your Doctor or Health Professional or Herbalist care

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Galen creates healing cream"