Rosehips are commonly used to make tea and jelly, both for their flavor and for their high vitamin C content. The husk and fleshy parts of the hip are used for tea and jelly. The seeds in the hips are also useful. They contain rosehip oil, a fragrant and valuable essential oil. Rosehip oil can be cold pressed or steam distilled from hips of wild roses of various species according to local availability. Rosehip oil is rich in vital fatty acids as well as many antioxidants in addition to vitamin C, and rosehip oil has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Rosehip oil is intended for topical use.
Skin Regeneration of Scars
Although rosehips have been used for centuries as herbal remedies, it wasn't until the 1980s that studies at the University of Concepcion in Chile returned scientifically verifiable results using rosehip oil. Over a two-year period, rosehip oil was applied to patients with various burn and surgical scars, and the rosehip oil caused marked improvement in the hydration and appearance of the affected skin. In another part of the study, patients with prematurely aged skin used rosehip oil; the hydration and appearance results were also impressive in this group.
Skin Aging
The high concentration of vitamin A in rosehip oil promotes increased collagen and elastin in the skin, making skin more supple. Vitamin A, or retinoic acid, is in a natural form that releases slowly and is absorbed by skin cells without the side effects associated with synthetic retinoic acid-type products. Rosehip oil also contains tocopherol, or vitamin E, which also fights skin aging. The fatty acids in rosehip oil promote healthy skin cells. A light layer of rosehip oil rubbed directly into the skin may be used to help prevent dry skin and wrinkles and to treat age spots.
Sun Damage
The rejuvenating and regenerating effects of rosehip oil are useful in halting and even reversing photo-aging of the skin. Sun damage may appear as leathery skin, wrinkles, or it may be sunburn or pigmented spots. Regular applications of rosehip oil can help new, healthy skin cells replace damaged cells. Massage rosehip oil into the affected areas morning and evening, every day. Results may take four months or more, depending on the extent of skin damage and the age of the person. Sun protection must be part of the treatment to prevent further damage.
Radiation Sores
Sores or burns from radiation therapy respond well to treatment with rosehip oil. Rub it into the area twice a day until the oil is absorbed.
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