Rose Hips

ROSE HIPS - Wild Rose - Rosa canina - Rose Family Common names: Dog rose, hip sweet, pink rose, hop fruit HISTORY OF USE Rose hips grow on wild rose bushes, and this variety is from the Dog Rose. Rose hips have a long and extensive use among the Greek, Roman, Arabic, and Chinese physicians. They provide us with one of the best natural and bio-available sources of vitamin C. Rose hips can be used whenever this important vitamin is needed, as in the beginnings of any viral or bacterial infections, and also to build up the immune system before one gets sick. They are also high in flavonoids, which are antioxidant and slow the aging process. CULINARY USE Rose hip jam can easily be prepared with this recipe from Rosemary Gladstar: Use dried, seedless rose hips and soak them overnight in fresh apple juice. Puree, and add cinnamon to taste, or eat as is. MEDICINAL USE Rose hips make an excellent spring tonic. Respiratory System: Use with the onset of any colds, fevers, coughs, and other respiratory complaints. Urinary system: Rose hips are helpful to strengthen the kidneys and bladder, especially beneficial when any infections or problems develop. Lymphatic and Immune System: Use rose hips to build up the body’s defenses before getting sick, and also during sickness. Nervous System: Very helpful for general debility and exhaustion. Digestive system: Helpful in diarrhea due to its mild astringency. FLAVOR & ENERGETICS Sour, sweet, astringent, cooling ACTIONS Nutrient, mild diuretic, mild astringent, rejuvenating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory CONSTITUENTS Vitamin C, tannin, pectin, carotene, fruit acids, fatty oil, flavonoids CAUTIONS When using rose hips in any form/recipe, ensure they are strained or sifted so the tiny hairs around the seeds are removed, as they can be an irritant to the throat and digestive tract. TEA BLENDS A very cooling tea in hot weather especially combined with rose of Sharon. Use as an iced tea. Use in any cold and fever tea, combine with lemon balm which is antiviral, or echinacea. For heat in the digestive tract, combine with marshmallow root. DISCLAIMER This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, heal, mitigate, or remedy disease. It is for educational purposes only and should not be implemented without the express consent of your healthcare practitioner.