The rose hip is the fruit of rose bushes, especially the wild rose, a bush native to northern Europe, northwestern Africa and western Asia that, today, can be found almost everywhere in the world.
The fruit of this plant, also called dog rose and tapaculos, can be eaten raw or cooked to prepare all kinds of jams and jellies, and even infusions. It is used to make soup. This is called Hagebuttensuppe or Nyponsoppa and can be eaten as a dessert, accompanied by cream or ice cream.
Beyond its culinary usefulness, the rosehip is highly valued in perfumery since a highly prized essential oil is extracted from the fruit.
If you have a wild rose bush at home, don’t hesitate: collect its fruits and make a tasty and healthy infusion of rose hips. It has many beneficial properties for health!
The wild rose
The Rosaceae family encompasses more than 100 species, including the canine rose. Beyond the original species, there are now numerous hybrids.
In particular, the wild rose is a shrub-type plant, with spiny branches, which can reach 3 meters in height. With deciduous, oval leaves, jagged edges and a bright green color, it draws attention during flowering due to the contrast with its pink or white flowers. After flowering, which occurs towards the end of spring and the beginning of summer, red and fleshy fruits appear: the rose hips.
The dog rose is commonly used in gardens to form decorative hedges that adapt to almost any climate. This plant can live in full sun, partial shade and shade, in poor or rich soils. In addition, it is resistant to pests and withstands frost, heat and drought well. Without a doubt, it is a good option to decorate the garden with a beautiful bush that gives little work.
Properties of rosehip for health
Natural medicine has recommended rosehip infusion for many years to treat all kinds of conditions ranging from diarrhea to migraine. Let’s see its most frequent uses.
Immune system protection
The fruits of the dog rose are rich in vitamin C. In fact, its contribution (426 mg / 100 g) is much higher than that of oranges. We all know that it is important to consume the indicated dose of this vitamin since, as the grandmothers used to say, it “increases defenses”.
Various studies have concluded that, while vitamin C does not cure colds and the flu, it does help prevent them and even reduce the duration of their symptoms and the risk of complications, such as pneumonia.
On the other hand, its vitamin C content stimulates the production of lymphocytes, the cells responsible for protecting the body from infections.
But that is not all. Among the properties of rose hips is that of helping to maintain a healthy immune system, thanks to its contribution of vitamins A and E.
Antioxidant effect
Another excellent reason to drink rosehip tea is its antioxidant potential. The fruits contain substances such as vitamin C and flavonoids, which fight against free radicals that affect the body and can cause all kinds of diseases ranging from cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s to cancer.
A study compared the antioxidant properties of different fruits, including currant, blueberry, and rose hip, and concluded that rose hip extract showed the greatest potential.
Control of cholesterol and hypertension
A review of studies carried out in 2008 found that those who had supplemented their diet with 500 mg of vitamin C per day had managed to control the values of triglycerides and bad cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
As the rosehip is a fruit rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, we can infer that its properties would help improve blood cholesterol levels while reducing blood pressure. It is important to point out that high cholesterol and high blood pressure are two of the great markers of heart attack risk.
Anti-inflammatory effect
Alternative medicine uses the properties of rose hips in infusion to relieve inflammatory diseases such as headaches, migraines and even osteoarthritis. The data on this is not conclusive.
Weightloss
The fruits of the dog rose are rich in tiliroside, an antioxidant with fat-burning properties. For this reason, alternative medicine recommends the inclusion of rosehip infusion in diets to lose weight.
In a study of the response of a group of overweight adults who consumed 100 mg of rosehip extract daily versus a placebo group. The conclusions indicated that after 12 weeks, those who ingested the rose hips significantly reduced abdominal fat and body weight.
Antidiarrheal
In an article we saw, precisely, infusions that help us go to the bathroom. However, the infusion of rose hips has just the opposite effects.
Its name, tapaculos, is due to the astringent properties of the rose hip. The intake of rosehip infusion helps to cut the liquid stools. In fact, its consumption is not recommended for people with constipation.
Blood sugar reduction
Rosehip tea is believed to help control blood sugar levels. In this way, diabetes can be prevented and even controlled.
Elaboration of the rosehip infusion
This infusion is super easy to prepare. We recommend using fresh fruits when making the infusion, since it has been proven that they contain more antioxidants than dry varieties.
Ingredients
- 15g fresh rose hips, washed and halved
- 1/2 liter of water.
- Optional: Honey
Preparation
- Heat the water
- Add the rose hips when the water is already hot
- Wait for it to boil and turn off the heat.
- Let stand for 5 minutes.
- Strain and serve. You can add honey if you wish.
If you have a wild rose bush at home, don’t hesitate and take advantage of its fruits! The rosehip infusion has a sweet and sour taste that will delight your palate, in addition to providing numerous benefits for your health.