Month: November 2016

Rose Hips for Your Autumn Medicine Cabinet

Dog Rose (Rosa canina) is an indigenous herb to Europe, considered by some as an invasive weed found in hedgerows, scrub, woods, and wasteland. In autumn, the arching stems with downy hooked thorns bear clusters of flask-shaped scarlet fruit known as rose hips. These floral superfoods, bursting with winter medicine for our homes and communities, make eye-catching bait for birds. Be sure to share in this harvest as they are rich in therapeutic uses!

Rose hips were thought to be discovered for their high vitamin C content in Britain during WWII when scurvy was prevalent and citrus remedies were scarce. In modern times, as every practitioner knows, vitamin C supplementation is used to support the immune system. It is more beneficial to obtain nutrients from local whole food sources such as rose hips than non-bioregional plant species or through a manufacturing process.

The therapeutic use for rose hips are many and go beyond the scope of vitamin C. Rose hips contain a plethora of tonic and antioxidant (carotenoids) properties that work in synergy with vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, D, K; with beta carotene; and with minerals such as calcium, iron, selenium and zinc.

Rose hips have many actions. For example, they are anti-inflammatory, astringent (drying), stomachic (strengthening digestion), nervine (strengthening and nourishing the nervous system), and nutritive with sour and cooling qualities. These actions make it a useful food and medicine for colder times of the year, benefiting inflammatory based conditions by easing chronic inflammation and offering pain relief. They can cool the body to help lower a fever and are used internally for natural relief of colds, sore throat, influenza, blocked chest, and minor infectious diseases. They can help control diarrhoea and gastritis and act as a dietary supplement. (They are especially good for vitamin C deficiency.) They may help to eliminate waste, support the immune system, soothe nerves, relieve insomnia, and lift depression, e.g. seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Culinary use of rose hips includes wine making, vinegar, jam, jelly, syrup, soup, and tea. They are also used in a nutritional syrup supplement (especially for babies), which is sometimes added to cough mixtures and used to flavour medicines. Extracts are added to vitamin C tablets, food supplements, herbal remedies, and herb teas. As you can see, rose hips have a great deal to offer the autumn and winter medicine cabinet.

For the non-herbalists amongst us, here is a simple recipe you can safely carry out at home.  It’s also a fun project to do with children to help raise awareness of using nature to improve health.

Recipe for Organic Rose Hip Apple Cider Vinegar

This recipe has been adapted from various sources to simplify the process. Instead of using the conventional weight:volume ratio for fresh plant tinctures based on calculating the equivalent dry weight of the herb in g:ml, I have favoured a more traditional, user-friendly approach, including the use of a metric cup measurement.

Equipment:

  • Bag or basket
  • Sharp knife
  • Metric measuring cup
  • Colander
  • 1L Pyrex jug
  • Muslin cloth
  • Conical measure
  • 100 ml or bigger amber bottles with plastic caps (vinegar tends to rust lids otherwise)
  • Labels

Ingredients to yield approximately 600 ml:

  • Wild crafted, foraged rose hips (Rosa canina)
  • 1L organic apple cider vinegar (ACV)

Method

  • Identify and pick the rose hips in late autumn when the hips are bright red, soft and fleshy.
  • Wash the rose hips, discard anything damaged, and slit the skins using a sharp knife.
  • Measure 1 cup of slit rose hips to 2 cups of room temperature ACV.
  • Place the rose hips into a 1L sterilised pyrex jug and cover with ACV, leaving head room for the rose hips to swell.
  • Cover and label the project with the name of plant, plant part, menstruum (the liquid ingredient) and date.
  • Macerate (soak in a liquid) for two weeks to one month. (You may like to follow the path and cycle of the new or full moon.) Keep it in a dark place at room temperature and stir daily with a wooden spoon.
  • Strain the acetum (a preparation having vinegar as the solvent) through a muslin cloth to remove seeds and irritant hairs. Discard the marc (left over herbal material).
  • Return the crude acetum into a pyrex jug, cover and allow to settle overnight.
  • The next day, filter and decant into sterilised amber bottles. Cap and label. Store in a cool dark place (shelf life six months).

The recommended dosage is 5 ml three times daily before a main meal (neat or in 30 ml  filtered water) to benefit from the ACV digestive tract, tonic qualities. This recipe can be added to cooking (in marinades,  salad dressings, etc.) and is non-toxic and tolerated by most people, including those who are alcohol sensitive. If you experience any adverse side effects such as loose stools, which can be associated with excess vitamin C, stop taking the remedy for a day and reintroduce at half the recommended amount.

It is always good to consult a qualified herbalist before administering herbal medicine, especially if you or your client is pregnant, breast feeding, have a diagnosis and/or are taking prescription pharmaceutical drugs. For example, research indicates that rose hips have the potential to reduce blood glucose levels which can be suitable for treating diabetes.  However, large doses administered by those with hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) may cause side effects. The seeds also consist of short hairs which may irritate one internally. For those who are susceptible to irritable bowel syndrome or irritable bowel disease, take care to thoroughly strain the liquid. Rose hips are generally considered safe for use with children, convalescents, and the elderly.

Tips

When foraging for wild food or medicine, be sure to identify plant species correctly, and  harvest away from polluted areas such as busy roads and industry or where they might have been sprayed.  Remember to leave some autumn and winter food for wildlife!

One of my favourite hedgerow medicine guides for wild food and herbal medicine identification is: Hedgerow Medicine: Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies by Julie Bruton-Seal (Author, Illustrator), Matthew Seal (Author).

Should you decide to study herbal medicine (for example at the College of Naturopathic Medicine) this is the kind of practical, hands-on project you might study in the module Botany, Pharmacognosy, and Pharmacology.

About the Author

Emma Schade-Stylli has always felt a deep connection to nature and the cycle of the seasons with a passionate interest in exploring the science and healing art of plant-based medicine. Having graduated in Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine from CNM, Emma practices as a naturopath, herbalist and holistic lifestyle coach in the UK. She is also involved in a small holding project on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales where she tends the land for pesticide-free vegetables and herbs. Emma can be contacted at info@contemporaryhealthcare.co.uk

About CNM
CNM offers Diploma Courses, Short Courses and Postgraduate Courses in a range of natural therapies, all based on a naturopathic approach to health. For the full range of courses, visit www.naturopathy-uk.com.

Recommended Products:
Sources:
  • Andersson U, Berger K, Högberg A, Landin-Olsson M, Holm C. (2012) Effects of rose hip intake on risk markers of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease – European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 66(5):585-90
  • A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M Grieve • Roses – Botanical.com
  • Bartram, T (1998) Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. 1 ed. London: Constable & Robinson Ltd.
  • Bruton – Seal, J., & Seal, M. (2009) Hedgerow Medicine. Shropshire: Merlin Unwin Books Ltd.
  • Fitter, R.S.R (1974) Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe. 2nd  ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.
  • Make Your Own Whole Food Vitamin C Pills with Herbs -Learning Herbs
  • The Medicinal Benefits of Rose Hips -Permaculture 
  • Thomsen, M., & Gennat, H. (2009) Phytotherapy Desk Reference. 4th ed. Australia: Global Natural Medicine Pty Ltd.
  • Williams, S. (2013) Pharmacognosy and Pharmacy Day One, Pharmacognosy and Pharmacy. [Online] College of Naturopathic Medicine London.
  • Yard, Neils (2011) Cook, Brew and Blend Your Own Herbs. 1 ed. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited.
  • 2012, Department of Herbal Medicine. (Clinical Handbook Herbal Medicine) [pdf] London: The College of Naturopathic Medicine.

UN, Amnesty International Coming – The World is Watching the Dakota Access Pipeline – Timeline of Events

On Friday, October 28, 2016, The United Nations and Amnesty International each announced their plans to send delegations of human rights observers to investigate reports of human rights violations of protesters opposing the North Dakota Access pipeline. This action comes one day after heavily armed authorities surrounded protesters and reportedly used pepper spray, tear gas, and a sound cannon before arresting 141 protesters, bringing the total number of arrests to more than 400.

The Dakota Access Pipeline, a 3.7 billion dollar project, which is currently more than half completed, is being built to transport 470,000 barrels of oil a day across four states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois. In southern Illinois, it will link with existing pipelines.

On January 25, 2016, Dakota Access announced it had received permit approval to build their pipeline from the North Dakota Public Service Commission. Seven months later, July 27, 2016, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe filed its first legal action to try and block the pipeline.

…North Dakota’s governor, Jack Dalrymple, activated 100 National Guard Troops…

In September, Standing Rock Chairman Dave Archambault II addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council, calling on the council to help stop construction. He argued that two legally binding treaties, the 1851 Treaty of Traverse de Sioux and the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie are being violated. “The oil companies and the government of the United States have failed to respect our sovereign rights,”Archambault said.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe view the pipeline as a threat to their water supply and a threat to sacred lands and burial sites. Thousands have participated in peaceful demonstrations against the pipeline, but many have been met with violence. There have been many reports of beatings, pepper spray, tear gas, mace, attack dogs, rubber bullets, horses injured from shootings, and the use of compression grenades, and a sound cannon along with arrests where protestors are forced to endure strip searches along with cavity searches. Archambault was arrested. Amy Goodman, a journalist, and documentarian Deia Schlosberg were arrested.

Schlosberg filmed activists who manually shut off the safety valves to stop the flow of oil in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and Washington state, was charged with three felonies: conspiracy to theft of property, conspiracy to theft of services, and conspiracy to tampering with or damaging a public service. The maximum prison sentence for the three charges would equal 45 years. She was held for 48 hours without access to a lawyer and her film was confiscated. The charges are still standing.

Journalist Amy Goodman was arrested twice. She was first charged with criminal trespass on September 8 after reporting on the September 3rd violence between security guards and protestors. Reports from the sheriff’s office said 3 workers were injured by protesters. Witnesses said the security workers used pepper spray on 30 protesters and 12 were bitten by pit bulls that were released to attack men, women, and children. Goodman’s charges were dropped only to be replaced with a charge of engaging in a riot. The judge rejected the case due to lack of evidence.

On August 31st, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues said the “world is watching” and made the following statement:

For indigenous peoples, the environment is a living entity that contains our life sources as well as our sacred sites and heritage. The environment is an important part of our lives and any threats to it impacts our families, ancestors and future generations. It is therefore imperative that the United States respects and recognizes the intrinsic, inter-related rights of Sioux and their spiritual traditions, history, philosophy, and especially their rights to their lands and territories.” – ABC News

On September 8, the day before the court’s ruling, North Dakota’s governor, Jack Dalrymple, activated 100 National Guard Troops to assist local law enforcement if protests become violent.

On September 9, a federal judge denied the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s request for a temporary injunction. On the same day, the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Department of the Army released a joint statement saying,

The Army will not authorize constructing the Dakota Access pipeline on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land bordering or under Lake Oahe until it can determine whether it will need to reconsider any of its previous decisions regarding the Lake Oahe site under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or other federal laws. Therefore, construction of the pipeline on Army Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe will not go forward at this time. The Army will move expeditiously to make this determination, as everyone involved — including the pipeline company and its workers — deserves a clear and timely resolution. In the interim, we request that the pipeline company voluntarily pause all construction activity within 20 miles east or west of Lake Oahe.” – ABC News

The tribe appealed the September 9th ruling, but its appeal was denied on October 9th.

On October 25th, tribal leaders called on the U.S. Attorney General, Loretta Lynch to investigate civil rights violations. The Department of Justice released a statement about how they were working with both sides to defuse tensions, support peaceful protests, and maintain public safety. Two days later protesters set up a roadblock that closed down a state highway resulting an escalation in violent intervention and arrests.

The fear of environmental harm from this pipeline is not unfounded. The Center for Effective Government claims ruptures and leaks are a daily occurrence. On their site they state the following:

Since 2010, over 3,300 incidents of crude oil and liquefied natural gas leaks or ruptures have occurred on U.S. pipelines. These incidents have killed 80 people, injured 389 more, and cost $2.8 billion in damages. They also released toxic, polluting chemicals in local soil, waterways, and air.”

“One of the largest spills happened in North Dakota in 2013 when lightning struck a pipeline, which leaked over 840,000 gallons of crude onto a wheat field.”

On October 20th, a Pennsylvania pipeline burst, leaking 55,000 gallons of gasoline into Wallis Run, a tributary of a creek that drains into the Susquehanna River. The spill endangered the drinking water of six million people. The pipeline is owned by Sunoco, the same company behind the Dakota pipeline access.

Does the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have the right to protect their land and their water? Do they have the right to demand that the U.S. government honor their treaties and laws? Or will we continue to allow corporations and corporate greed to rule our country? Will we assist them in stripping citizens, especially native Americans, of their constitutional rights as we plunder the land and its resources? Didn’t we learn not to use the National Guard against our own people after the massacre at Kent State when National Guardsmen shot and killed four unarmed students?

Hopefully, the added publicity from celebrity activists like Shailene Woodley, who was charged with criminal trespassing and engaging in a riot and Mark Ruffalo and the involvement of Jessie Jackson and Jill Stein will continue to sway public opinion. Even Bernie Sanders has made it clear that he supports the protesters.

Now that the UN and Amnesty International are involved, the whole world really is watching.

Recommended Reading:
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