After the flowers have gone, rose bushes produce a fruit known as rose hips. Roses are a member of the rosaceae family, along with apples, pears, quince and cherries. Rose hips resemble elongated crabapples in appearance; the flavor of rose hips has been described as sweet, tart or spicy, depending on the species of rose. Rose hips are high in Vitamin C. Traditionally, rose hips have been employed for many medicinal as well as culinary purposes. If you are gathering your own rose hips, do not use any fruit which may have been sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals.
Tea
A quick and simple way to access the Vitamin C in rose hips is to make rose hip tea. Wash and chop enough rosehips to make 2 tsp. Pour 1 cup of just boiled water over the rose hips. Steep covered for 15 minutes and strain. Sweeten with honey if desired. Vitamin C deteriorates over time, and rose hip tea should be drunk the same day it is brewed. Fresh rosehips may also be dried and used later to make tea; they will retain most of their Vitamin C content. For a stronger rose flavor, make a tea with dried or fresh rose hips and dried rose petals. The Vitamin C in rose hip tea provides a healthy boost to your immune system during cold and flu season or when you are feeling sick or run-down.
Jam, Jelly, Tarts, Syrup and More
If you are lucky enough to have access to a rose garden, there is a multitude of items you can make with fresh rose hips. Use only firm, ripe rose hips, and discard any damaged or wrinkled fruit. To cook with rose hips, you will want to slice the fruit in half and then, with a small spoon, scoop out the seeds and hairs inside, since these hairs may irritate the stomach. Rose hips may be cooked and mashed to make jam, or you can simmer and strain them to make jelly or syrup. Prepared rose hips may used in place of or in addition to any pastry recipe that calls for apples, cherries, cranberries or plums, although you may want to adjust the sugar and spices to taste. Prepared rose hips may also be frozen for later use.
Skin Treatment
Rosewater and rose oil, available at most health food stores, are gentle but effective moisturizers for dry skin, and rose oil may help in the healing of scar tissue. Simply massage either rosewater or rose oil into the skin, or add them to your favorite lotion. Rosewater and rose oil may also be used as natural perfumes.
Traditional and Folk Medicine
Traditionally, rose hips are considered to be a mild detoxifying agent to help clear the system of waste, and they have been used to cleanse the bladder or kidneys or to work as a blood purifier. They have been used to treat digestive problems, such as diarrhea or dysentery and also to relieve menstrual cramps.
Member Comments