Published: 08/21/2018 - Updated: 03/08/2020
Author: Dra. Loredana Lunadei, PhD
Rose Hips are a bush native to Europe, and belong to the rosaceae family. They have purple and thorny stalks and branches, and white and red buds, sometimes appearing straw-colored. Every part of the bush is made up of substances with extraordinary therapeutic properties. The bush grows either wild, or cultivated, in cool, rainy climates, generally in poor soil conditions in the plains or low-elevation mountains (it can be cultivated up to 1,200 meters altitude. It does not need special soil, so long as it is well-draining, and rich in carbonate).
Its pulpy shell provides a lot of vitamin C, and a powerful oil can be extracted from the fruit’s seeds (which comprise up to 75% of its total weight), which is very beneficial for the skin.
Rose Hips properties and health applications
- Stimulant: invigorates and provides energy, fights weakness and tiredness, whether this be physical or mental.
- Digestion: helps proper food absorption.
- Carminative: helps prevent formation of intestinal gas.
- Antiseptic: prevents infections
- Astringent
- Anti-spasmodic
- Caffeine-free
- Very useful for treating respiratory problems.
- The petals can be used as a purgative when infused in water. They also clean the kidneys and the bladder. This remedy can also be used to dissolve kidney and biliary stones.
- Fights cold and flue symptoms.
- Contains large amounts of B carotene and vitamin C, equivalent to 20 times more than what a lemon contains, or 8 times more than kiwi.
- Potent antioxidant: regenerates cells, slows skin aging, heals skin while making it youthful and vigorous once again. It is called “The eternal youth oil”.
- Very good laxative.
- Applying rose hip cream is an excellent tonic after sunbathing.
- Strengthens the immune system against all sorts of infections.
- An excellent natural vitamin supplement.
- Treats scarring due to surgery or acne.
- Useful for healing burns.
- Used as a tea, stimulates enzyme processes.
- Recommended for smokers, since they lose a lot of vitamin C.
Components of pure rose hips oil : Rich in vitamin C, retinoic acid, carotenoids, flavonoids, pectins, polyphenols, and riboflavin. Nearly 97% of this oil is made up of fatty acids considered to be essential: palmitic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid.
Aesthetic uses:
SKIN: this oil is extraordinary for skin regeneration. It is a truly healing and reconstructive tonic for the skin. This oil can eliminate and prevents: wrinkles, stretch marks, blisters, scars, etc. Rose hip cream noticeably improves skin hydration, and is known for its great efficacy in fighting skin dryness and flaking.
It provides firmness and elasticity to the skin.
AVOID AND REDUCE SPOTS: allows skin pigment redistribution, eliminates sun spots, as well as those produced by acne, chicken pox, and smallpox.
Special soaps are also made with a base of rose hips.
AROMATHERAPY: Oils can be extracted from its stalks and flowers to be used in aromatherapy, especially for beautifying the skin.
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Internal use: drink rose hip tea or infusions. This stimulates cellular enzyme processes, and is an excellent tissue re-builder.
Culinary uses of Rose hips
- Jams, gelatin, beverages, or special flavored treats can be made from rose hips.
- Can also be used to make dyes, low alcohol content beverages, soups, etc. Store the dried plant in a hermetically sealed jar, to retain properties. Storage must be dry, ventilated, and free from direct sunlight or high-intensity magnetic radiation, like the microwave.
- The flowers can also be used in teas or infusions.
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