Tea Collection: Rose Hip
When I started to build my home apothecary, one of the first items to be collected was Rose Hip. They might not have the long benefits list like some of the other herbs, but they are packed full of vitamin C and a gold glove is just as great as any utility player (baseball stuff).
History
Rose hips had their start in ancient Greece and Rome, believed to heal the bite of a rabid dog
In the medieval apothecary it was used to slow a heavy menstrual flow as rose hip wine.
In the 17th Century rose hip honey was used to promote digestion
In the 19th Century rose hip wavered in medicinal use and was mostly a flavoring for other medicated syrups
Today different preparations are used for colds, diabetes, diarrhea, fever, gastritis, gout, kidney support and weight loss
Rose hips had their start in ancient Greece and Rome, believed to heal the bite of a rabid dog In the medieval apothecary it was used to slow a heavy menstrual flow as rose hip wine. In the 17th Century rose hip honey was used to promote digestion In the 19th Century rose hip wavered in medicinal use and was mostly a flavoring for other medicated syrups Today different preparations are used for colds, diabetes, diarrhea, fever, gastritis, gout, kidney support and weight loss
Benefits
Anti-Aging Properties
Reduce Arthritis Pain
Weight Loss Support
Heart Health Support
Immunity Support
Vitamin C
Who Should not use rose hips?
Because testing is not done for pregnant women, it is recommended that pregnant or breastfeeding women do not use medicinal amounts of rose hip.
Because the rose hip is a power punch of vitamin C, upset stomach and heartburn are possibilities with large doses.
Anyone who struggles with recurring kidney stones or has iron disorders should stay away from rose hips.
Part of Plant Used
The small berries on the plant can be eaten raw, take care for the small hairs inside of the fruit. Generally the berries are dried and crushed to be used in capsules or tea.
Best Way to use it
Rose hips can be made into jelly or syrup for a lightly floral flavor. Medicinally they are often used in tea. Crush the dried pod, and steep 1 TBS in 8 oz of very hot water anywhere from 15-30 minutes. In tablet form, 100mg a day proved to significantly decrease belly fat in one study. Rose hip oil is a great additive to your skin care products, thought ot have anti aging properties
Harvesting and Storing
Most gardeners who prize their roses will dead head the flowers throughout the season to keep a steady production of beautiful blooms. If the rose hips are what you are after, you have to leave those dead blooms to complete development of the berry.
While all roses produce the fruit, the best yield comes from the delicate roses like the apothecary rose, dog rose, bush or climbing varieties. Use the hip loaded branches for your fall decor and then pick and store them for medicinal uses!
Harvest the hips from your rose plant just after the first light frost of the year but before the first hard frost. If your rose is particularly thorny, wear cloves. Slice the berries in half and remove the the seeds and inside. Rinse the hips and lay out to dry in the dehydrator. When full dried, store in a glass jar. To make capsules grind the dried hips down to a fine powder, fill capsules and store in a cool, dry place.
Click on the picture below for your printable PDF version to add to your herb journal.
