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:
- Rose Hips Solid Extracts – Wise Woman Herbals
- Mother Earth Organic Root Cider – Barrier Island Organics
- Shillington’s Total Nutrition Formula – Organic Solutions
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.