Botanical properties of wild rose
Rosehip is a perennial flowering shrub native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.
It blooms in May and June with delicate pink or white flowers with five large petals, which turn into red globular fruits full of seeds in autumn. From a botanical point of view, what are considered fruits are actually false fruits that taste sour. The real fruits are seeds (they look hairy and are inside).
Bush stems with small sharp thorns. Leaves consist of 5-7 oval or elliptical leaflets with serrated edges
What is the value of the rosehip?
The properties of wild rose are manifested in its petals, leaves and fruits. First of all, the value of wild rose lies in its fruits. They are a great source of antioxidants like vitamins C and A, which fight free radicals and help prevent cell damage.
The main components in the raw material:
- vitamin C;
- B vitamins;
- fat-soluble vitamins A, E, K;
- folic acid;
- carotenoids,
- flavonoids;
- organic acids;
- tannins;
- pectins.
The most commonly used in cosmetics is rose hips in the form of oil. The astringent properties of the oil are a valuable addition to cosmetic preparations.
It has a regenerating effect on the skin due to the presence of vitamin A. It is also used to treat gastritis, stomach ulcers, intestinal and duodenal ulcers.
Note! The most common use of rose hips is to replenish vitamin deficiencies. For example, there is twice as much vitamin C in the plant as the content of ascorbic acid in currant fruits.
It is a medicinal plant with a wide spectrum of action. Improves the functioning of organs and restores immunity.
Healing tea will help reduce the temperature and increase the body’s resistance to colds. Promotes liquefaction of sputum, treats cough, runny nose, relieves pain in the joints.
With colds, flu, SARS, due to the high content of vitamin C in fruits, it has a depressing effect on pathogenic bacteria and viruses.
Rose hips prevent fragility of blood vessels, strengthen capillaries and restore the functioning of the heart muscle, prevent the formation of blood clots and improve blood circulation, thereby normalizing high blood pressure.
They are diuretic and help lower blood pressure. Often, patients with hypertension are recommended to drink infusions or decoctions based on rose hips.
Wild rose rosehip helps to improve the functioning of the kidneys and the urinary system as a whole. Promotes the removal of excess fluid from the body, eliminating swelling and preventing congestion.
Helps in establishing the process of hematopoiesis in anemia. Regular intake of rosehip-based funds significantly reduces the risk of developing serious pathological conditions.
The vitamin complex contained in the fruits is extremely useful in the treatment of joints and cartilage in arthritis, arthrosis and other diseases of the skeletal system.
For Women’s Health
Thanks to such a rich composition, rose hips help maintain the health and beauty of a woman.
This plant also affects the reproductive system. It can be used with maximum benefit and minimum risk to health.
Properties of rosehip cosmetic products for skin:
- moisturizing;
- softening;
- skin smoothing.
Cosmetic raw materials are the flowers and fruits of this plant. Rosehip cosmetics not only smoothes the skin, but also, due to the high content of vitamin C, brightens the complexion and age spots, activates the production of collagen.
How to prepare an infusion of wild rose
On the basis of berries, decoctions are made, infusions, oils and concoctions are prepared. The most popular infusion of wild rose.
Note! You can prepare the remedy from both dried and fresh fruits of the shrub. Other herbal ingredients can also be added to rosehip tea. Berries do not need to be boiled – they should be poured with boiling water.
You can drink the drink both hot and cold. You can even add water to it. This will not affect the healing properties in any way. However, it is not recommended to leave the product for later.
For the prevention of colds and general strengthening of immunity, take half a glass of tea 3-4 times a day.
Additional Information! For better absorption of iron and calcium, it is best to drink rose hips before bedtime. You can drink daily for two weeks. Then you need to take a break.
For cooking, you need a thermos to infuse rose hips. Prolonged exposure to heat helps to get a very useful infusion.
Wash the berries and remove excess debris. Place the berries in a thermos and pour boiling water over them. Tightly close the thermos with a lid, wrap it with a warm cloth and leave for 10-12 hours. An alternative to a thermos can be a slow cooker, which also retains heat for a long time.
The infused liquid is filtered or simply drained. This infusion is good for relieving swelling, lowering blood pressure, treating colds and coughs, and strengthening the body as a whole.
Rosehip decoction is another popular remedy. Berries are poured with water, brought to a boil over low heat, and the fire is turned off. Infuse for 40 minutes. After that, the decoction can be drunk in small sips throughout the day.
Crushed fruits are also used to make a healing drink. They brew faster and are the most useful. This infusion is especially rich in vitamin C. The disadvantage of this method of brewing is the presence of villi in the drink.
Properly brewed wild rose acts as an antiseptic, regenerating and antioxidant agent for beriberi, is used in the prevention and period of systemic diseases. It contains vitamin K, which improves blood clotting and is necessary for people with frequent bleeding.
The use of infusion or decoction is categorically contraindicated in thrombophlebitis, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, in violation of the water-salt balance, gastritis, peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach.
How to collect and dry
The fruits should be harvested when they are ripe and should be deep orange or red. Most often they ripen at the turn of August and September.
They are carefully sorted, washed and dried in an oven at a temperature of +50 ⁰С with the door open. The fruit can be dried whole or cut in two and the seeds and rough part removed.
The berries are laid out in one layer. In the oven, the temperature should not exceed 80 degrees. You can also dry it outdoors if the weather permits. However, do not forget to put them away at night so that they do not get wet.
Dried fruits can be used when they become firm. Store them in a glass container with a tightly closed lid.
Freezing fruit is also acceptable. Washed and dried berries are placed in a plastic container or bag, put in the freezer. From them you can prepare a decoction, infusion or add to tea.
