Deep within the pine forest that surrounds our home, lyes a grandmother wild rose bush, who, Michael & I have been eagerly eyeing for the last month, in hopes of spotting the first signs of her ripe red rose hips. Today at last, It looked as though our generous grandmother had indeed blessed us with yet another year's offering, and we are ever more grateful for it.
Rose Hips ☼ Rosa canina
Part Used ☼ The Fruit {hips}
Harvest Time ☼ Autumn
Taste ☼ Sour, Sweet, Astringent
Taste ☼ Sour, Sweet, Astringent
Constituents ☼ Vitamin C, Tannins, Flavonoids, Sugars, Pectin, Carotene, & Fruit Acids
Actions ☼ Nutrient, Mild Laxative, Mild Diuretic, Mild Astringent
Internal Preparation ☼ Tea, Infusion, Decoction, Syrup, Honey, Jam/Jelly
External Preparation ☼ Oil
Rose Hips provide one of the best natural and freely available sources of Vitamin C. They may be used wherever the vitamin is needed. They will help the bodies defenses against infections and especially the development of colds. They make an excellent Spring tonic and aid in general debility and exhaustion. They will help in cases of constipation and mild gall-bladder problems as well as conditions of the kidney and bladder. -David Hoffmann A word of caution, the seeds, which are not traditionally used as medicine contain a glucoside and are toxic, producing torpor, vertigo, and headaches. -Matthew Wood I suggest removing the seeds from the hips.
I have also come to call on Rose Hips for a variety of Women's Issues, including for the treatment of menstrual cramps & menstrual irregularity. A strong infusion of an oz of hips, drank throughout the day, works wonderfully for this. This is made by placing one oz of herb in a vessel, pouring bowling hot water over it, and then letting it sit for at lest 8 to 24 hours before consuming.
