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Rose Hips
Rose Hips refer to the little fruits that appear on species of roses, which
are used in alternative herbal medical treatments and are also known by its
botanical name Rosa canina. Also known as Brier hip, Brier rose, dogberry, dogbrier,
dog rose, eglantine gall, hep tree, hip fruit, hip rose, hip tree, hop fruit,
hogsee, shatapatri, sweet brier, wild brier, witch’s brier, and yeu-ji-hua;
Rose Hips have been used medicinally for centuries. Although there are hundreds
of species of rose, it is believed that red roses are the most medically effective.
Rose Hips come from the Rosa plant species which are a bushy shrub that grows
in open field and thickets throughout North America. Naturalized in Europe where
it can be found on sloping ground, and on the edges of garden fences, woods,
and hedges; Rosa plants can grow to heights of 2 to 13 feet. It contains numerous
stems which are covered with sharp spines and prickles. Rosa plants contain
flowers that generally consist of 5 to 7 leaflets as well as flowers that are
either red, pale red, or nearly white. Flowers appear between May and July,
and Roa also contain fruit, or Rose Hips, which range in color from scarlet
to orange-red which contain many one-seeded achenese that ripen in the fall.
Additional varieties of rose hips are Rock-rose, Rosa californica, Cabbage rose,
Roa Damascena, Rosa eglanteria, Rosa gallica, Rosa laevigata, Rosa roxburghii,
Large-hip rose, and Rosa chinensis.
Rose Hips have astringent, carminative, diuretic, and tonic medical actions.
It contains citric acid, flavonoids, fructose, malic acid, sucrose, tannins,
vitamin A, vitamin B3, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin P, calcium,
phosphorous, iron, and zinc. It is an effective treatment in kidney and bladder
inflammations. Additionally, Rose Hips produce a beneficial affect on one’s
digestive apparatus due to its diuretic actions that do not irritate one’s kidneys.
In instances where one is afflicted with kidney stones or gravel, Rose Hips
are an effective preventative and arrestant. Rose Hips are also effective in
treating complaints caused by gout or rheumatic disorders as it eliminates accumulated
uric acid. Rose Hips are also believed to be a useful treatment against: colic,
colds, diarrhea, stress, and urinary tract ailments.
Rose Hips supplements are available in a number of different forms that includes:
infusion, decoction, and tea. If used in an infusion, the recommended dosage
is 1 to 2 tsp of the herb in 1 cup of boiling water. If used in a decoction,
the recommended preparation is ½ to 1 teaspoon of powdered achenes boiled in
1 cup of water until ½ cup of liquid is remaining. The recommended dosage is
the remaining half of the liquid drunk over the course of the day. If used in
a tea, the recommended preparation is soaking dried, finely chopped rose hips
for 12 hours prior to use. By boiling 1 tbsp of the soaked herb in 3 cups of
water for 3- to 40 minutes, rose hip tea is prepared. Although Rose Hips are
not associated with any significant side effects, it is recommended that individuals
do not use any roses or rose hip supplements that have been treated with pesticides
or pesticide-containing fertilizer.
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