This bushy shrub can be found commonly in woods and along hedge rows in most of the temperate areas of the world.
The dog rose produces an abundance of lovely scented pink or white flowers from May to early July.
After the petals have fallen the reproductive part of the flower ripens and turns into a bright red seed pod, this is called a rose hip and is the part we use in natural medicine.
How To Gather And Store Rose hips
Gather the ripe rose hips from August to November, avoid any hips which are under-ripe or over-ripe and mushy, as these will have less vitamin C, (ripe hips are a glossy red and firm to the touch.) You might want to wear thick gardening gloves when collecting rosehips as dog rose has dense thorns.
You can dry the rose hips and keep them in an air tight jar until use, rose hips can also be frozen.
Starwest Botanicals Organic Rosehips
Rose Hip Benefits
Rose hip benefits: Rose hips have a very high vitamin C content, they are used as a pick me up, to combat fatigue, boost the immune system and help increase resistance to colds and flu.
The tannins in the rose hips have soothing properties, which ease diarrhoea, and the organic acids found in the hips calm a troubled digestive system.
Rose hips also contain pectin, which makes them very good for use as a setting agent in jam making.
Rose Hip Remedies
Invigorating tea: Take twelve rosehips, cut them open and place in a pan, pour a pint of boiling water over them then wait until the water has cooled. When almost cold strain the mixture, sweeten with a bit of honey and pour into a receptacle. This tea can be kept in the fridge for up to three days and can be drunk cold with ice or warmed up.
Diarrhoea decoction: Tear up twenty rosehips and place in a pan, add two pints of boiling water, gently boil for five minutes, remove from heat then leave to infuse for a further fifteen minutes. Strain into a receptacle and take half a cup at regular intervals throughout the day. As with the tea this decoction can be kept in the fridge for up to three days and taken hot or cold.
Warnings For Using Dog Rose Home Plant Remedies
Dog rose is not recommended for pregnant or breast feeding women.
Dog Rose In Times Gone By
Dog rose was one of the main ingredients of a special mead that Tudors drank frequently to give them a feeling of exhilaration and health. The recipe also included thyme, bay and rosemary.
This concoction of herbs was boiled for an hour, then to every six parts of liquid one part of honey was added. The mixture was left to stand for two days and then poured into a tub of new ale and left to stand for three days. After this it would go into barrels, the mead would then have to stand for six months until it was at its most potent.
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