COMMON NAME

Rose Hips

BOTANICAL NAME

Rosa canina and Rosa rubiginosa

PARTS USED

Fruits of the rose

HISTORICAL

Rose Hips, like many of our common herbs, have a long history of use for medicine and everyday purposes. The use of Rose Hips is seen cross-culturally, ranging from the Native Americans, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and Persians, to name a few. During the Middle Ages, Rose Hips were widely served as a “sweetmeat” which is equivalent to what we know today as candy. While these sweetmeats were often enjoyed as dessert, they were often used by practitioners who would pair them with bitter medicine to make it easier for their patients to consume. 

In our more recent history, Britain released campaigns during World War II to encourage their peoples to forage for food in effort to supplement and ration their supplies. The imports of citrus fruits during that time were halted and so began the encouragement of the “Hedgerow Harvest” to collect Rose Hips for their ample Vitamin C content. From their mass organized collections, Rose Hips were then alchemized into syrups and marmalade and sold in local shops.

MEDICINAL

Rose Hips are most famously known for their high Vitamin C content, comparative to a citrus fruit. This high Vitamin C content works synergistically with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine qualities. Internally, Rose Hips can help reduce fever, strengthen the stomach, support the bladder and kidneys, and soothe inflammation of the joints 

(particularly those suffering from arthritis). They are most often consumed as tea, however, are also widely found in capsule and powder form. Rose Hips are also widely utilized in cordials and oxymels. 

Externally, Rose Hips promote cellular turnover and have the ability to heal burns, scars, and overall, can brighten the skin tone. Rose Hips are certainly a friendly ally to many estheticians and those who create facial products. 

MAGICAL

The Rose bush itself is correlated to the planet Venus, whose most well-known archetype is Aphrodite. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess representative of desire, attraction, harmony, creativity, beauty, passion, sensuality, and the list goes on. Rose Hips are often used, magically, in practices that invite love, peace, and harmony. As a practice of self-love, it is said that stringing Rose Hips to wear as a necklace can help to open the heart chakra. Interestingly, Rose Hips are also used in dream work to protect the dreamer from nightmares. It is advised to fill a small sachet with dried Rose Hips to place under the dreamer’s pillow to keep while in slumber.

RESOURCES & REFERENCES

Groves, M. N. (2016). Body Into Balance. Storey Publishing Llc. 

America, T. H. S. of. (2020, October 3). Rose hips – herb of the month. The Herb Society of America Blog. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://herbsocietyblog.wordpress.com/2020/10/05/rose-hips-herb-of-the-month/ 

Foodie, T. O. (1970, January 1). The Rose Hip Collection Campaign (WW II). Retrieved October 17, 2022, from http://www.theoldfoodie.com/2014/05/the-rose-hip-collection-campaign-ww-ii.html