What are Rose Hips?
Common Names: Rose Haw
Body System Affinity
Immune System, Cardiovascular System, Skin/Integumentary System, Connective Tissue, Digestive Tract, Mucous Membranes
Herbal Actions
Immune Tonic, Demulcent, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Nutritive, Fiber Rich, Cardioprotective and tonic, Antimicrobial, Hypotensive, Cholesterol Regulating, Refrigerant (cools body), Mild Diuretic, Mild Laxative
Energetics
Cooling, Moistening
Tastes: Sweet, Sour
Indicated in conditions of heat, irritation, excitation, deficiency, and atrophy
Roses are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The cultivation of roses likely began in Asia about 5000 years ago and they have been an intimate part of human civilization ever since--in our medicine, food, symbols, perfumery, skin care, and rituals relating to beauty, love, religion/spirituality, deity worship and beyond.
As the environment sheds and consolidates during the Autumn transition, rose hips (from various species of Rose) color the backdrop of a seemingly slumbering landscape with their vibrancy. Rose hips are typically best to harvest after a few frosts, as this healthy stress causes the plant to allocate and concentrate their resources to the fruits as a last attempt to have their seeds swallowed and spread by creatures in their environment. This gift from nature is a timely medicine as we enter into cold and flu season, because rose hips are highly rich in Vitamins A/C/E, Quercetin, Carotenoids, Polyphenols, and many other antioxidant constituents that support the health of our Immune Systems while being highly nourishing. These fruits are best extracted in water, crafted into syrups, or utilized for culinary purposes--especially in the pursuit of crafting jams and jellies due to their pectin content. Taking the seeds out if you’re harvesting them fresh is recommended, because they contain tiny hairs that can be irritating to the digestive tract.
We love Rose Hips because they are often very energetically balancing to formulas. Their demulcent/mucilaginous nature has a moistening effect on the tissues. This is a very needed action, because the majority of herbal medicines are drying--especially in the category of “nutritive” herbs, including plants such as Nettles and Dandelion Leaf.
We are big advocates for the philosophy of “food as frontline medicine.” Because Rose Hips are highly nutrient dense, they are a great way to get more vitamins, minerals, and essential organic compounds into our (often lacking) diets. Approaching herbs and foods with this worldview also gives us an opportunity to save money on expensive supplements and isolate, pharmaceutical-like compounds when we could first try getting what we need from well-rounded food sources.
