This turned out to be longer post project than I planned. I really got into the research. I have a surprise for you at the end. Just bear with me. This info is important.

Debbie

I Love Roses!

Amazing Roses! I’ve always loved them and can never walk past them without trying to smell them. But I never, ever in my wildest dreams understood they were one of the richest, most valuable healing natural medicine I could ever come across. In truth, these bearers of Vitamin C are a vital nutrient for healthy living!

So, when I thought about introducing only 12 facts about Rose Hips, I naturally had to do quite a bit of research. I was utterly overwhelmed at the information about this Vitamin C source plant.

But then I remembered the affect that these Rosehips had on my grandmother’s recovery prior to the surgery she had when she was well advanced in years. She was ready “to go” and was pretty upset when she woke up out of the anesthesia and found out she was feeling great. I secretly believe that it was the Rose Hip solution I gave her.

So, I decided to do research on it, now many years later, to find out what was in that fruit that could take a woman in her 80’s and put her life back on track. I hope you will be as thunderstruck as I am on the data on this common or not so common fruit.

Here is a Summary of what I came up with:

• FACT: Rose Hips need to be a vital part of my diet regularly.
• TRUE: This common fruit from wild roses can fortify my immune system against amazing threats.
• DETAILS: As a natural medicine, Rosehips are composed of biochemicals and natural biochemical compounds that promote health.
• SOLUTION: maintain a healthy lifestyle and add this fruit to my diet in a variety of ways.

Now, how can we get this life-saving fruit into our diet regularly? Hang on, there are almost as many ways to eat this fruit as are the health benefits to eating it. That is exactly what I needed to explore.

Here are 12 Ways to Use Rose Hips:

My interest in picking fresh berries, canning and processing fruit started when I was a child. My mom would take all 5 of us kids berry picking frequently. I enjoy the outdoor life because of that. My Mom and Dad also took us hiking and camping almost every year. I liked the quiet and peace and was intrigued with wildlife.

So, when my life changed into a more self-sufficient style as an adult, I became fascinated with canning everything that could be a vital nutrient for my health. This is how my grandmother ended up with a quart of Rose Hip juice that I believe saved her life.

Introducing 12 Facts About Rose Hips

1). Rose Hips are a Source of Vitamin C.

This amazing wild rose produces rose hip fruits with the largest amount of vitamin C content than any other fruit. Just a walk in the wood would show you the beauty of this shrub. In the spring there are fresh, fragrant blossoms, in the fall arrive the fruit called hips. The Rose Hip fruit has all the vital nutrients of Vitamin C for healthy living.

2). Wild Rose Bushes Grow the Best Tasting Rose Hips.

These wild roses, and the ones not so wild are found in various parts of the world. They are mostly common shrubs, and some varieties can grow to 50 feet. The ones I am familiar with grow from 3 to 5 feet. Although the Rosa Rugosa from country or region is said to be the best tasting of the Rose Hips, each plant variety has its own unique characteristics. The rose fruit have varying shapes and sizes and colors. The important thing to do is to harvest them at their peak nutritional ripeness.

3). Wild Roses are Very Common and Easy to Find.

Everyone who picks any kind of fruit finally chooses their favorite and sometimes secret locations. My favorite place is along the lakes, so I can use a boat to go get them. Sometimes I would do anything to get on the water in a boat! But it is easier for me to pick them in the woods around me. I do have to take a close look at the location and health of the plant before I harvest anything I am going to eat and benefit from!

4). Rose Hips are ripe from June to September.

Usually, the Rose flower stops blooming in early summer. There are some varieties that blossom all summer long. After the petals fall, the bulb part of the flower grows into a hip. The color of the blossoms gives a good hint at what the fruit color may be. The flowers can be white, shades of pink or red, double or single. They can be a mixture of these colors, but all have a yellow center. The fruit soon turns from green to its deepest ripening color. Their color may be deep orange or red, or it can be purple and even black. The hips are fresh and not dry. If the hips continue to stay on the plant unpicked (not by my choice!), then they turn dark and dry and shrivel all up.

5). Rose Hips are Harvested in the Fall.

Fall is the optimal time for harvesting the ripe rose hips. Leaving a small part of the stem on the fruit will encourage its freshness. After the first frost they are best. Pick them when they are slightly soft but not mushy. Then just choose the way you want to preserve it. What do you eat most of? What is the purpose you want to use them for? My favorite is the juice because it is easy to make. I smile because it reminds me of how a quart of it gave my grandmother a safe recovery from surgery!

6). Vitamin C Must be Supplemented in Our Diet.

What we do not know can hurt us! Our bodies do not make Vitamin C. Maybe because we are not a plant! It is a vital and essential nutrient that our bodies must have. * There is much research that backs the necessity and urgent need our bodies have for Vitamin C. It is so easy to get, so available, that the only thing to worry about is the quality of the source! You can take supplements made for you that are good with the vital nutrients included and no contaminates. Or you can make your own and not put any contaminates or unhealthy additives in it. Me, I have learned to be more self-sufficient, so I try to make my own. But I do love those good supplements too!

*Sources: 1. Science Direct.com (Encyclopedia of Food sciences and Nutrition (Second Edition), 2003 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/gulonolactone-oxidase) – 2. Vitamin C Foundation.org https://vitamincfoundation.org/basics.php – 3. Jeffrey P. Tomkins on April 2, 2014, as viewed on Answers in Genesis. https://answersingenesis.org/genetics/human-gulo-pseudogene-evidence-evolutionary-discontinuity-and-genetic-entropy/

7). There is no Limit to the Ways to Preserve Rose Hips

Did you know that learning to make your own products takes less time than going to the store and grabbing a supplement? Well, my point is that it is easy to do. We all need to get more knowledgeable about what we eat and what is in what we do eat. Anyone can make rosehips into essential oil, tea, juice, jelly, jam, syrup, infusions, decoctions, tinctures, dried, aromatherapy, or rose water. My first try was making Rose Hip Juice and doing it with a friend was so much fun! The best part was watching my grandmother heal so fast! I felt I was part of that process.

8). Watch For Any Side Effects When Taking Vitamin C.

When we introduce anything new to our system, there will be a reaction. So, even though I am an ‘all or nothing’ thinker, I do go slow with adding new things. My digestive system gives me a huge warning if I do not go slow. But I must emphasize that the biggest caution lies in how healthy your systems are and how uncontaminated the product is. The caution lies in your body’s health, or lack of it. It also has to do with the way the supplement is manufactured.

9). Rose Hips builds our immune system

At first glance, Vitamin C seems to be the answer to all our health issues and conditions. It may well be. I have found many outstanding properties of it that will keep me healthy. So, I am totally sold on it! Maybe if I was stranded anywhere, I would wish there were rose hips bushes nearby! There are many wholesome foods we need to benefit from, but the rose hip far outdoes itself in providing us with vital nutrition for health.

According to a published abstract by NCBI*, it documents Vitamin C as providing the vital nutrients needed for cellular function. It states that the immune defense is supported and protected by the oxidization properties of the vitamin. In a deficiency of vitamin C, the immune system is not strong enough to fight the inflammation and infections due to the cells not having the vital nutrients they need. It goes on to say that instead of the recommended minimal dose needed of 100-200mg/day, increased doses need to be taken due to the vulnerable state of the body due to inflammation.

*Source: Vitamin C and Immune Function, Nutrients. 2017 Nov 3;9(11). pii: E1211. doi: 10.3390/nu9111211. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29099763

10). Rose Hips Has Phytonutrients

• Every individual has a unique requirement for vitamin C.
• Every disease has a dose that is beneficial to healing that disease.
• Osteoarthritis and pain relief is reduced by vitamin C in Rose hips because it reduces the inflammation. (Naturally, I might add).
• Bone health is helped by reducing inflammation and clearing joints.
• Vitamin C fights against bacterial and fungal infections due to its antibiotic and fungicide activity.
• Antioxidant activity protects and may even reverse cancer and the side effects of treatment.
• Macular Degeneration is helped because the eye health is strengthened.
• Antioxidant activity makes vitamin C a perfect healer for colds and influenza.
• I love that it has Rutin and vitamin E which have antioxidant qualities.
• Vital nutrients affect intestinal health. that means stomach spasms, acid deficiency, irritation, and ulcer prevention. Due to my stress load, I have had innumerous encounters with poor digestion.
• Rose Hips even has Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

*Source: Plant Medicine Research, Rose Hips Fight 12 conditions, https://plantmedicines.org/diseases-treated-rose-hips/

11). History of Rose Hips Goes Ancient

I read nursing stories when I was just in the fourth grade and on. (Florence Nightingale was my inspiration). I remember reading about stories of different diseases and when I found out that vitamin C was the cure for scurvy, that fact stayed in my memory. Even way back during Biblical times, herbs were known for healing. The Middle Ages were known to treat lung diseases with herbs. Ancient cultures of Egypt and in Indian medicine, there are stories of using herbs and vitamin C to heal. Every culture has many stories about healing with herbs, with vitamin C. I read many books on early North America, many people used herbs as medicine.

Here are some interesting reads on Florence Nightingale: History on Florence Nightingale, Nursing theory, Biography of Florence Nightingale, History of Florence Nightingale

When my life turned self-sufficient style, I learned so much about the healing nature of herbs. I had my own herb garden and used herbs to treat severe burns, heal wounds and generally promote health.

12). Rose Hip Recipe (My Treat)

When my children were young, they were in 4-H. so getting a recipe from UMN.edu triggered happy memories for me.

Rose Hip Juice*

• They stressed clean and sanitary. I will echo that. You do not need contaminates of any kind getting into your food.
• Make juice first
• Prepare 1 pound of Rose Hips
• Use ripe Rose Hips
• Clean fruit well, wash with cool water
• Add water to cover the fruit
• Boil in a safe cooking pot, then soften the hips with a simmer for 15 minutes
• Cool
• Use cheesecloth to strain the fruit, or dampen a jelly bag and use that
• Yield – about 2 cups

Jelly Ingredients:

• 4 cups juice from making Rose Hip juice
• 7 1/2 cups sugar (can be organic or any substitute that will give the effect of the bulk of the sugar and the sweetness factor)
• 6 ounces liquid pectin or equivalent
• Rose Hips have natural pectin in them, so adjust as you think is right.

Jam Instructions:

1. Stir sugar into the juice. Stir constantly with the burner on high. Bring to a full boil that does not stir down.
2. After the pectin is added, the mixture needs to return to a hard boil for 1 minute.
3. Take the pan off the burner and take the foam off the top of the mixture
4. Pour mixture into already prepared and sterilized glass canning jars. Fill to within 1/4 inch from the top. The usual jar used for canning jelly is pint or half pint jars. The screw on lids for canning work nice. Be sure you follow correct canning procedures.
5. Check your elevation and water bath boil for the appropriate time. It will be between 5 and 10 minutes.

*Source: Ingham, B. (2015). Safe Preserving: NOW jams and jellies in PINT jars. University of Wisconsin, Madison. Preserving Jams and Jellies

This is a terrific recipe for rose hip tea and a mask for your FACE! This will offer protection from the elements as well as making your skin healthy!

Rose Hip Tea

• Make Rose Hip Tea first, then use some in the facial mask
• 1 tsp dried and crushed rose hips
• 2 cups water
• Pour warm but not boiling water over the crushed rose hips
• Keep warm for 15 minutes on low heat
• Take off the heat and leave it for 24 hours
• Then drink it daily or use it in following Facial Mask recipe

Facial Mask recipe:

• One raw egg, stirred. (Organic, grass-fed only, no grain ever, no antibiotics ever – even in feed)
• 2 tsp. Rose Hip Tea
• 1 tsp oatmeal
• Mix
• Apply to face and massage face and neck for 15 minutes
• Wash off with cool water
• Smile!

We hope you enjoy these recipes! Please click on this link to check out the beginning of my other recipe posts. We will add to them as we find good recipes to pass on.

Debbie