Low temperatures can completely negate the benefits of consuming rose hips. This highly biologically active berry should be harvested before the first frost, not stored in the freezer, and not eaten raw. What ailments can rose hips treat in homeopathy? What are the benefits of its berries, leaves, and roots? Does this product have any contraindications, and how is it used in cooking?
Properties of Rose Hips
The common name for this plant from the rose family, “wild rose,” reflects the botanical relationship between rose hips and their ornamental “sister.” There are over 100 species of rose hips, both wild and cultivated, all of which have spread across the globe from their historical homeland—Chile.
While roses are cultivated for their high decorative value, the biological benefits of their wild relatives are primarily recognized by pharmacists. The beneficial properties of rose hips have long been in demand in folk medicine. In home preserves, dried rose hips can be used for up to two years after harvesting. They should be stored in closed glass containers or cloth bags.
Rose hips are champions in vitamin C content: they contain 50 times more than lemons and ten times more than black currants. The amount of this beneficial element in 100 grams of dried rose hips equals 18 doses of the daily requirement for an adult. Vitamin C is also found in the leaves and roots of rose hips, with its quantity determined by the light exposure and growth area of the shrub. Specifically, mountain rose hips manage to accumulate more vitamin C compared to their lowland counterparts.
Benefits of Rose Hips
In addition to vitamin C, “wild rose” contains:
- Vitamin A (β-carotene and lycopene are antioxidants essential for eye health, tissue growth, and boosting immunity);
- Vitamin E (this antioxidant synthesizes hemoglobin and proteins, aids in the absorption of vitamin A, and prevents aging);
- Vitamins B1 and B2 (involved in carbohydrate metabolism and protein metabolism, responsible for the health of skin, mucous membranes, and hair);
- Vitamin B3 (improves the absorption of vitamin C, regulates cellular respiration, and supports cardiovascular function);
- Vitamin K (involved in the synthesis of ATP—an organic compound that provides “fuel” for biochemical reactions, normalizes bone tissue mineralization, and aids in blood clotting).
Additionally, rose hips are a source of iron, copper, molybdenum, zinc, manganese, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and magnesium. They are valued for their dietary fiber, flavonoids, essential oils, pectin, lycopene, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, malic and citric acids, nitrogenous compounds, and tannins.
The beneficial properties of rose hips have long been utilized in the production of medicines and oils, once valued as highly as furs and jewels. Decoctions, infusions, and teas with rose hips are traditionally used to treat bones and joints, gout and rheumatism, gastrointestinal issues, and pancreatitis. Rose hip oil is a popular dermatological and cosmetic product, used to combat wrinkles, treat burns, and heal other skin wounds.
What Does Rose Hip Treat?
As far back as Ancient Egypt, rose hip oil was used as an effective rejuvenating agent. It was included in perfumes and cleansing products, while the juice of the fruits was used to balance hydration and protect against the sun. Thanks to vitamin A, rose hips enhance skin elasticity, eliminate acne, scars, and pigmentation.
The health benefits of this plant include slowing down aging processes, healing wounds, regenerating tissues, detoxifying, activating digestion, boosting resistance to infections, providing anti-inflammatory effects, stabilizing blood pressure, improving cardiovascular activity, normalizing blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and aiding in iron absorption.
Rose hip tea is recommended for cleansing the body of intestinal parasites. The extract of rose hip berries is used in cholecystitis as a choleretic agent. As a natural diuretic, rose hips stimulate urine output and normalize water-salt balance, helping to reduce swelling and promote weight loss. The low calorie content of rose hips (109 kcal per 100 grams of fruit) combined with their ability to suppress hunger, accelerate metabolism, burn fat, and eliminate toxins makes them an effective weight loss aid. They also act as a natural laxative, relieving constipation and stimulating peristalsis.
Treatment with Rose Hips
In folk medicine, all parts of the plant are used, not just the fruits. Specifically, rose hip flowers are a valuable source of essential, saturated, and unsaturated fatty acids: oleic, linoleic, linolenic, Omega 3, 6, 9, and natural tretinoin (obtained through cold pressing). Rose hip petals can be used to make jam, which serves as a soothing dessert.
Crushed seeds are commonly mixed with alum and applied to wounds for quick healing. The roots of rose hips are also used in treatment; like the bark, they are rich in ascorbic acid, sugars, and phytoncides.
Rose hip leaves contain, in addition to vitamin C, a lot of chlorophyll, tannins, phytoncides, and ellagic acid. The ash from rose hip branches yields a resin-like substance that helps with psoriasis. If the branches and leaves are boiled, the resulting decoction can be used to treat stomach pains, dysentery, scarlet fever, and even pulmonary tuberculosis.
Care should be taken with rose hips in cases of hypertension, as this healing berry can lower systolic pressure and may enhance the effects of medications. Instead of benefits, prolonged use of rose hips can lead to harm, potentially disrupting blood clotting and increasing the risk of thrombosis.
How to Properly Consume Rose Hips?
Tea, infusions, or decoctions of rose hips should be incorporated into the diet during periods of weakened immune systems. Seasonal recommendations include autumn, winter, and spring. Springtime vitamin deficiency is the most vulnerable time for colds, so rose hips should be consumed during this period, ideally after consulting a doctor.
From rose hip petals, hosts can prepare liqueurs, while the berries can be used to make jams, vitamin soups, kissels, compotes, or teas. English cuisine even features recipes for sauces made with rose hips, desserts, candies, and marmalade.
Rose Hip Syrup Recipe
For 2 liters of water, use 1 kg of sugar and 1 kg of fresh berries. Wash the rose hips, remove the sepals, and stems, place them in an enamel pot, cover with hot water, and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, strain through a double layer of cheesecloth, press, and let steep for a day. Drain, separating the sediment, add sugar, and boil for another 15 minutes. The finished syrup is poured into sterilized jars and stored. Take 1 tablespoon before meals. To support immunity during cold season, rose hip syrup should be consumed daily.
Vitamin Decoction from Dried Rose Hips
Wash 100 grams of dried rose hips and remove the hairs from the seeds. Crush and pour into an enamel pot with 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes, and let steep for 3 hours. Before consuming, strain the decoction through cheesecloth.
Rose Hip Decoction from Fresh Berries
Dosage: 2 teaspoons of rose hips per 2 cups of water. Clean fresh berries of hairs and seeds, wash, crush, and place in enamelware. Cover with water, cover with a lid, and place on the stove. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Let steep for 3 hours and strain through a double layer of cheesecloth. If using this recipe for weight loss, drink the unsweetened decoction for a three-week course, consuming it an hour before breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Rose Hip Infusion for Osteoarthritis and Rheumatism
In a thermos, pour 500 ml of boiling water over 20 grams of crushed berries and let steep for a day. Strain and drink a glass before meals in the morning and evening. Course duration is one month. If a repeat is necessary, take a month-long break before doing so.