Rose hips, the pods left behind after roses die, are rich in vitamin C and have been used for medicinal purposes, as a tea, and in cooking. They are being studied for their potential to reduce inflammation and fight heart disease. However, they can also act as a laxative and the irritating hairs on the outer fleshy part need to be removed before consumption. Rose hips are used in cosmetics and recipes worldwide.
When rose flowers fade and eventually die, the pods that are called rose hips or rose hips are left behind. You may not see them often in well-manicured gardens because most gardeners will prune dead roses, a practice called deadheading, so the rose bushes continue to bloom. On the neglected rose bush, you may notice what look like green to yellow spheres atop several branches.
Rose hips have had numerous uses. They are rich in vitamin C and some vitamin supplements can boast that they are made with rose hips. They have also been used by some cultures as a tea, as a flavoring for soups or stews, and for medicinal purposes.
Some uses for rose hips today include the use of rose hip powder as a means of reducing inflammation in joints, and because of their properties, they are being studied as a potential aid in the fight against heart disease. However, before you start heading out to the garden to eat your rose hips, you should note a few other things that these “fruits” are known for. Some are traditionally used as laxatives, so you may want to start any rose hip regimen with proper care.
Many of the products such as teas and powders are made with dried rose hips. The outer fleshy part of each ball has a bunch of fine, irritating hairs that need to be removed before eating a rosehip. These can irritate the throat and should not be consumed.
Once this outer section is removed, you can eat fresh rose hips as if they were fruit or candy, and many have compared their tangy flavor to cranberries. People also use them in jams and pies, and recipes in some countries indicate that they are added to soup and stews. Swedish rosehip soup is a classic Swedish dish, but the use of these fruits is not limited to Europe.
Many places around the world use many parts of the rose, and you’ll find recipes with rose and rosehip parts especially common in Asia, Europe, and by Native Americans in North America. Recipes can serve the dual purpose of being culinary treats and of therapeutic value.
Another way rosehip is employed is in various cosmetics. You may find them used in simple soaps for shine lotions. Rosehip infused oil has a sweet smell and can be used as part of a skin care regimen.
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