Rosehip is a wild perennial shrub of the rose family, growing almost throughout the entire territory of our country with the exception of the northern regions.
Back in the 4th century BC, the ancient Hellenes discovered the beneficial properties of the plant, with the help of which it was possible to cure many ailments, as well as strengthen and heal the body. Flowers, fruits, leaves and roots of rose hips have healing powers and are widely used for medicinal purposes. It is difficult to find a plant that contains the same amount of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial substances.
Rose hips are widely used:
- In the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys.
- To strengthen the heart, blood vessels and nervous system.
- It is an excellent remedy for increasing the body's immunity and preventing viral infections and colds.
Composition and what vitamins and microelements are found?
Rose hips are a source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It contains large quantities of vitamins C, P, PP, B1, B6, K and E.
- Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant (relieves the body of oxidative processes caused by free radicals). Protects against infections and viruses. Increases resistance.
- Vitamins P and E strengthen the walls of capillaries, small and large vessels.
- B vitamins are responsible for the health of the nervous system.
- Vitamin K produces and binds proteins that increase blood clotting. Essential for the functioning of the heart.
- Vitamin E improves skin and hair. Cleanses the body of toxins and free radicals.
In addition, the fruits contain:
- Alpha and beta carotenes are active antioxidants. Without them, the level of vitamin A in the body decreases.
- Kaempferol and isoflavonoids, which have a diuretic effect.
- Quercetin, which has hemostatic properties.
- Rutin, which together with vitamin P strengthens capillaries.
- Tannins have astringent properties that protect against bacteria and viruses.
Rose hips are also rich in macroelements: potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron.
Beneficial features
Rose hips are extremely useful; they allow a person to replenish the reserves of missing vitamins, microelements, essential acids and antioxidants. The simplest use of rose hips for the prevention of vitamin deficiency is a drink made from its dried fruits.
When the drink is infused for a long time in a thermos, all the beneficial substances are released from the fruit. An infusion of rose hips improves immunity many times over, which allows the body to resist various infectious diseases.
The drink also tones well, improves performance and strengthens the body. It also has good anti-inflammatory, diuretic and choleretic effects, and helps to significantly reduce cholesterol. The drink is also considered a preventative against atherosclerosis.
In addition, due to its chemical composition, rosehip decoction has the following beneficial properties:
- hemostatic effect;
- strengthens capillaries - small blood vessels;
- has a choleretic effect;
- improves the functioning of the sex glands.
Calorie content
The calorie content is quite high - 109 kcal per 100 g. In terms of calorie content and composition, rose hips are close to bananas. They contain:
- carbohydrates – 22.4 g;
- proteins – 1.6 g;
- fats – 0.7 g.
However, the fruits are consumed in the form of tea or infusions, which significantly reduces its calorie content and makes rose hips an indispensable assistant in dietary nutrition.
Read about the types of rose hips: spiny, May, multi-flowered, wrinkled, dog, black.
How to brew rose hips
The most complete vitamin composition of rose hips is preserved when dry berries are brewed. In addition to dry berries, fresh rose hips are brewed. To make the infusion the most concentrated, dry rose hips can be crushed in a blender, coffee grinder or with improvised means. Whole berries will brew just as well, but it will take longer.
Rose hips should only be brewed in warm water. Boiling water completely kills vitamin C, so boiling and pouring boiling water over rose hips is not recommended.
After bringing the water to a boil, leave it for a few minutes to reduce the temperature of the water.
chopped rose hips
The average brewing ratio is 1.5 tablespoons of chopped rose hips (about 50 grams) per 500 ml of water.
Pour warm water over the rose hips, wrap them in a warm cloth and let them steep for at least 7-8 hours (if the berries are crushed) and about 9-12 hours if the berries are whole. Wrapping a container with rosehip infusion in a cloth is necessary so that the warm temperature of the water remains longer.
The prepared infusion should be filtered through a sieve or cheesecloth. If the infusion turns brown, it means it is highly concentrated. In this case, you can add plain water to the tincture.
Healing qualities and side effects for the human body
It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of rose hips for human health:
- the decoction improves digestion and gastrointestinal function;
- useful for diseases of the liver and gall bladder;
- has a positive effect on kidney function;
- helps with the functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
- removes harmful substances from the body;
- has a general strengthening and tonic effect.
There are few contraindications; you should not drink the infusion if:
- Bronchial asthma - the seeds of the fruit are covered with small spines that irritate the respiratory tract.
- Peptic ulcer disease in the acute stage and gastritis with high acidity - ascorbic acid contained in fruits enhances the formation of gastric juice.
- Tendency to form blood clots.
- The presence of small stones in the gall bladder and kidneys.
- Individual intolerance.
FAQ
How much rosehip decoction can you drink per day?
When determining the daily norm, you should take into account the age category, milliliters:
- no more than two hundred – adults;
- no more than a hundred are children.
It is important to consider not only the daily volume, but also the purpose of use:
- weight loss - one hundred milliliters before meals;
- increasing immunity - no more than four times a day, one hundred milliliters;
- improving the absorption of minerals (calcium, iron) – two hundred milliliters before bedtime once a day;
- choleretic effect - two hundred milliliters before breakfast.
Thus, depending on the tasks, the daily dose can be consumed immediately or divided into several times. You should not use this remedy without breaks - the maximum duration of the course is eight weeks, the minimum is three.
How long should rosehip decoction be stored?
The finished decoction of rose hips can be stored under normal conditions for no longer than eight to ten hours due to the possible fermentation process. To increase the shelf life of the product, you should pour it from a thermos into another container in the morning, cover it with a lid and put it in the refrigerator. Under such conditions, the drink retains its properties for no longer than forty-eight hours.
Use for medicinal and home purposes
High pressure
Rosehip is useful for people with high blood pressure:
- Due to its mild diuretic properties, it relieves swelling.
- Improves blood flow and strengthens artery walls.
- Reduces heart rate.
It can only be consumed in the form of teas and infusions, strictly observing the dosage.
Diabetes
Despite the fact that the glycemic index of berries is quite high (25 units), rose hips have a positive effect on the endocrine system and serve as an additional drug for treatment:
- It improves metabolic processes.
- Stabilizes blood sugar levels.
- Cleanses the body and removes toxins.
The fruits are consumed in the form of infusions of fresh and dried berries. You should not use alcohol tinctures and syrups.
Liver and kidney diseases
Rosehip has a mild choleretic and diuretic effect, which is very useful for these diseases. At the same time, it promotes the preservation of vitamins and minerals in the body.
If you have small stones in the kidneys or gall bladder, you can use decoctions only after consulting a doctor.
Pancreatitis
Rosehip decoctions are useful for inflammation of the pancreas, as well as for other diseases of the abdominal organs. It is good to take in the form of teas in complex therapy with herbs. Should not be used during periods of exacerbation.
Gastritis and stomach ulcers
During the period of remission, you can conduct healing courses with decoctions, making less concentrated infusions. However, it should be borne in mind that rosehip contains a large amount of vitamin C and has a pronounced sour taste.
In case of increased acidity and any active manifestations of gastritis or stomach ulcers, it is better to refrain from using decoctions.
Diuretic effect
Rose hips have mild diuretic properties due to the content of kaempferol and isoflavonide. At the same time, potassium, magnesium and other beneficial substances are not washed out of the body, as when using conventional diuretics, since they are contained in the plant itself.
Coronavirus
The plant is very useful as an antibactericidal and anti-inflammatory agent that increases the body's resistance. In case of coronavirus infection, rosehip decoction eases the course of the disease and promotes better recovery.
Colds and fever
Drinking rosehip decoction in the autumn and winter increases the body's immunity and resistance to viruses due to its high content of ascorbic acid. With influenza and ARVI, the disease is milder and without complications. The body recovers faster.
Read about how to prepare high-vitamin tea with rose hips and other ingredients here.
For the heart and blood vessels
Rosehip is indispensable in the fight against cardiovascular diseases.
- It strengthens and cleanses the walls of blood vessels.
- Thanks to its diuretic properties, it eliminates fluid stagnation in the body, which has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart during arrhythmia.
Gout
Gout is a systemic disease. Rosehip, as part of complex therapy with medications, diet and physical activity, helps to cope with the disease.
- Has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
- Removes salts and toxins from the body.
It is used internally and in the form of lotions.
Haemorrhoids
The astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant's fruits have a positive effect in the treatment of hemorrhoids. It can be consumed in the form of tea and as a wound healing agent - in the form of microenemas.
Pneumonia
For diseases of the upper respiratory tract and inflammation of the lungs, rosehip is an excellent general strengthening and anti-inflammatory agent, and protection against complications.
During your period
On critical days, fruit infusions promote faster blood renewal in a woman’s body and even out the emotional background.
For weight loss
Wild rose is an excellent remedy in the fight against excess weight:
- Rosehip tea satisfies hunger.
- Choleretic properties help cleanse the body and improve metabolic processes.
- A slight diuretic effect helps remove fluid accumulated in fatty tissues.
- It is a source of vitamins and minerals during periods of restriction of usual dietary intake.
Description of the plant
The name dog rose was used in Ancient Rome by Pliny (around the first century AD). It was then believed that this plant had the ability to treat the bite of an angry dog. Whether this was somehow related to the diagnosed rabies is unknown. Wild rose appeared in herbal medicine as early as the time of Hippocrates (around the 3rd century BC).
The Greek doctors Dioskourides and Galen valued wild species more than cultivated ones. They especially used French rose hips (Rosa gallica) and dog roses (Rosa canina). The ancient Romans made wreaths from it and decorated their heads during holidays. Pillows filled with petals helped to sleep and calm down. In the Middle Ages, the plant's flowers were an important ingredient in a dish called rosee, made from almonds, saffron, sugar and rose hips.
This is interesting! As a medicinal plant, rose hips were most appreciated in Europe during World War II. At the time Britain was unable to import fresh citrus fruit, the British government decided to organize a national harvest and stocking of the plant's fruit to prevent a significant vitamin C deficiency in the UK.
Today the following types of rose hips are often found:
| View | Photo |
| Canine (Rosa canina) | |
| Wrinkled (Rosa rugosa) – covers lowland and mountainous areas | |
| Red-brown or rust (Rosa rubiginosa) - the most common species in the south of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, found in thickets, on the edges, slopes, along roads | |
| May (Rosa cinnamomea) – typical for lowland areas, widespread in Russia |
Dog rose (lat. Rosa canina) is a prickly, flowering shrub from the Rosaceae family, widespread in Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Rosa canina grows up to 3 meters in height. The elliptical leaves of the bush are quite rigid and have jagged edges. Rosehip flowers are bright pink and grow singly or in small clusters. However, the most valuable part is the fruit.
The plant is a valuable plant raw material and is used in the food and cosmetic industries. Rose hips are known for their delicate pink or white flowers that develop into distinctive red, round, multi-nutlets full of seeds. This shrub has many other names:
- wild Rose,
- erysipelas,
- spine,
- shupshina,
- sworoborina,
- trandafil.
The rose hip is an oblong or round multi-nut (cinarhodium) with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm, with spines or smooth. The polynut contains numerous “seeds” that make up the true light yellow to yellow-brown fruit, surrounded by numerous sharp bristly hairs. Initially, the polynut is green in color; as it ripens, it becomes red, juicy, and soft.
Chemical composition analyzes confirm the exceptional dietary, chemopreventive and therapeutic value and beneficial properties of dog rose hips for the human body. Its fruits are especially popular, used for brewing herbal infusions, making jams, marmalade, jellies, syrups, wines and other drinks.
In Sweden they prepare the original soup “nyponsoppa”, the main ingredient of which is rose hips. Rosehip seeds are becoming popular and are used to produce cosmetic oil. What makes the plant so useful?
Reviews
According to average statistics of data from different sites on customer opinions, the rating of rose hips as an effective remedy for colds is 5.0 points out of a possible 5.0. The plant is recommended by 100% of satisfied customers, which indicates beneficial properties for the human body.
Maxim, 29 years old
In the spring, after working at the dacha, I discovered that the skin on my hands was not just dry, but began to crack severely. I found information on the Internet that you can solve the problem with rosehip oil. I rubbed it into problem areas for two weeks and the result was healthy skin. I recommend.
Yuliana, 34 years old
Once upon a time, in our childhood, my mother and my brother spoiled me with rosehip decoction. Now I also drink so as not to get sick and it helps. It is better to drink through a straw to avoid damaging tooth enamel. I recommend.
Yana, 25 years old
I drink rosehip decoction in two-week courses, combined with regular use of hair and face masks with oil from the same plant. After three years of use, I can note an improvement in the appearance and condition of hair, nails, and facial epidermis. I recommend for purchase and use.
