Why I Love Rose Hips

I have mentioned rose hips in the past but haven't dedicated a blog post for them.  I'm pretty excited to do that now!

I grew fascinated with them when I found that they hold one of the highest amounts of vitamin C on the planet.  That's right: higher than oranges.  However, that isn't the only thing beneficial about them.

So, What Are they?

Rose hips are the seed pods of pollinated wild roses, such as Rosa acicularis.  Wild roses can be found in most areas of the United States. even in Alaska.  The rose hips usually ripen around late summer, or after the petals fall off.  When you cut into a rose hip, you'll find the large seed and many tiny hairs.

You want to gather them after the first frost at the earliest.  Clean immediately by removing the stems and wash with cool water.  Be sure to remove any of the hairs and seeds if cutting into them (for things like rose hip jelly).  Pat dry and let lie out on a tray or tiny grate to dry out for a week in a well ventilated area out of sunlight and rain.

The Native Americans often used rose hips to help heal respiratory infections, treat mouth sores, and soothe irritated skin.  Today, you'll find rose hip seed oil in many body care products, namely in the women's skin health departments.  (This is especially the case in organic cosmetics, makeup removers, toners, and moisturizers.)

Because of the antioxidants rose hips contain, it is no wonder why manufacturers would add rose hip to their skin care products.  They think that by adding rose hip seed oil, they may slow down the oxidation of the skin, protecting it from unnecessary damage.  Now of course this is no miracle herb and you won't find it to be the fountain of youth, but you may be able to lighten aging spots and slow down the damage overall.

These are some of the products you can buy if you don't feel up to trying to make your own products out of rose hips:

If you are deficient in vitamin C the daily use of rose hips may benefit you.  Even if you aren't, taking in rose hips on a regular basis may help your immune system and protect you against illness.  They also contains other vitamins and minerals, such as iron, vitamin K, calcium, and vitamin A.  They are one of the key ingredients in myImmune System Boosters.

You can make this herb into a tea, or a serum.  You can do as I do and infuse it in vegetable glycerin or make a tincture out of it for internal use, or you can infuse it in some jojoba oil and use it topically.

There are no contraindications for this herb as of yet, so use at your own judgement.  Be sure to consult with your doctor if you are on medications or pregnant and nursing prior to taking this herb.

I'm going to try my hand at making a rose hip serum and then post a video about it soon!

I hope you all have had a wonderful week. One week to go until my workshop, and I'm so stoked!  Thanks for reading, and don't forget to subscribe by click the button below.  I'm also on Instagram and Facebook, so go say hello!

Perry, L. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2017, from http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/rosehips.html

Foods Indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2017, from http://www.aihd.ku.edu/foods/rosehips.html

Casio, J. (n.d.). PDF. Https://www.uaf.edu/files/ces/publications-db/catalog/hec/FNH-00114.pdf.