Raise a glass of rose water to your health

Rose water has been used as a medicine as far back as the 7th century in the Middle East, and now modern research is proving that these civilizations were onto something. Here are some of the suggested benefits:

For Skin and Joint Pain: Studies show that roses contain powerful anti-inflammatory substances, which, when applied topically, may help soothe irritated skin and prevent damage. Those same anti-inflammatory effects may help ease sore joints if you drink rosehip tea.

For Your Brain: One study showed that rose extract in a petri dish stopped the plaques that form in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Teas with rose water are available (get organic!).

To reap the skin and joint benefits of rose, rinse 3 cups of pesticide-free petals (thorns can be highly inflammatory, so handle with care), then steep in distilled hot water, just enough to cover the petals, until petals lose their color. Strain 1 tablespoon rosewater into 2-3 ounces water in a spray bottle. Spritz on skin. For tea, buy it prepackaged or add a few drops (to taste) of rose water to a cup of green or black tea.

Biotin can skew test results

The Food and Drug Administration recommends avoiding vitamin B-7, also known as the water-soluble vitamin biotin, if you want to get a proper reading on a specific heart enzyme or a thyroid hormone test.

The FDA says too much biotin in your system can result in a falsely low result on a blood test for troponin, a clinical biomarker that helps in diagnosis of a heart attack. And according to other studies, high doses of biotin can skew lab test results for thyroid hormones, which can lead to an overdiagnosis of Graves’ disease, or hyperthyroidism.

The FDA also says, 30 mcg a day of biotin is adequate intake for adults and essential for good health of the skin, nails and the liver. Biotin deficiency is rare in healthy people. But momsto-be and breastfeeding moms need to take supplements (ask your doc) to assure proper fetal development and infant health.

For the rest of you, if you have two to three daily servings of 100 percent whole grains, eat plenty of nuts like walnuts, pecans and almonds, and have at least a couple of servings of wild salmon and ocean trout every week, you don’t need biotin supplements. However, if you’re taking antibiotics or meds for epilepsy, ask your doc if a supplement is a good idea.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.