Harvesting and Using Rose Hips
Harvesting and Using Rose Hips: A Comprehensive Guide.
Rose hips (Fructus Rosae) are the swollen, red or orange fruit that forms at the end of a rose plant’s branches after its flowers have bloomed.
Rose hip fruits have traditionally been used as a vitamin supplement or for health food products in many countries, since the fruits (hips) are more rich source of vitamin C than any other commonly available fruit or vegetable (Artik & Eksi, 1988; Demir & Ozcan, 2001).
Rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients, rose hips offer numerous health benefits when consumed as a food source or used to make herbal teas, jams, syrups, or cosmetics.
The rose hips from all types of roses are edible. Here’s a detailed guide on how to harvest and use rose hips.
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Harvesting Rose Hips
1. Timing
The best time to harvest rose hips is late autumn when they have reached maturity but before the first frost. Frozen rose hips may not release their nutrients properly, so it’s crucial to harvest them at the right moment.
2. Selection
Choose plump, bright-red or orange rose hips that are firm and free from blemishes, damage, or overripe appearance. Avoid using green or under ripe hips as they contain low nutrient content and can be bitter in taste.
3. Preparation
Wear gloves to protect your hands while harvesting, as the prickly rose plants can irritate skin. Gently twist the hips from the plant using a twisting motion or clip them with scissors, leaving a short stem attached for easy processing.
4. Cleaning
Rinse the rose hips thoroughly under cold water to remove any residual debris or remaining rose petals. Pat them dry using a clean towel.
Using Rose Hips
1. Drying
To store rose hips for long-term use, you can dry them either in an oven or air-dry them.
For oven drying, slice the hips in half and manually scoop out the seeds. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet. Dry at a low temperature (around 200°F/93°C) for approximately 1-2 hours, checking frequently to prevent burning.
Air-dried rose hips can be placed in a single layer on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight and allowed to dry naturally for several weeks.
2. Making Rose Hips Tea
Crush dried rose hips using a mortar and pestle or blender, then steep 1-2 teaspoons of the crushed hips in boiling water for about 5 minutes. Strain and add honey, lemon juice, or other preferred flavors before consuming.
You can also use fresh rose hips for rose hip tea. You will need about twice as many rose hips if you use fresh ones. For fresh rose hip tea, steep four to eight rose hips in a cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Cooking with Rose Hips
Use rose hips to make jams, syrups, or desserts by following standard cooking procedures. Infuse rose hip syrup in cocktails or mix it into baked goods for added flavor and nutrition.
4. Cosmetic Uses
Create a rose hip face mask by mixing dried rose hips with water and blending to create a thick paste. Apply the mask evenly onto your skin, leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.
Rose hip oil can be used as a moisturizer or added to facial creams and lotions for its antioxidant properties.
5. Medicinal Uses
The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vitamin C content in rose hips makes them an effective natural remedy for various health conditions, such as arthritis, skin irritation, and cold symptoms.
Rose hips can be eaten raw, like berries. The seeds inside have a hairy covering, so you can remove the seeds before eating. Cut the hips in half and manually scoop out the seeds.
The hairs contained in the chamber of the rose chafer have no harmful effect on the epithelial tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. (3) Crushed seeds also release valuable ingredients.
The hips can be used immediately, dried or frozen to be stored for future use. For the most healthful impact, use rose hips when they are fresh. Drying rose hips causes them to lose most of their vitamin C.
The information here is provided for informational purposes only. It is not presented with the intention of diagnosing or treating any disease or condition. It is in no way intended to substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other health care professional. (Read more)
Sources:
- Saliha Erenturk, M. Sahin Gulaboglu, Selahattin Gultekin, The effects of cutting and drying medium on the vitamin C content of rosehip during drying. Journal of Food Engineering, vol. 68, no. 1, 2004. doi:10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2004.07.012
- Oprica L, Bucsa C, Zamfirache MM. Ascorbic Acid Content of Rose Hip Fruit Depending on Altitude. Iran J Public Health, vol. 44, no. 1, 2015.
- Owoc dzikiej róży – Fructus Rosae – https://rozanski.li/2215/owoc-dzikiej-rzy-fructus-rosae/