Rosehip is a plant with many uses. Since ancient times, its fruits have been used to make wines, tinctures, and other health-giving products. The Greeks were particularly fond of bathing in rose petal water. So, what are the ingredients of this unassuming plant and how can you utilize its properties? Let's learn more about its benefits!
The wild rose bush is a relatively easily accessible specimen, found in both parks and forests. In early June, it bursts with pink flowers, which not only smell and look beautiful but can also be a great addition to homemade cosmetics. Simply place the washed petals in a cheesecloth, for example, and pour boiling water over them. Strain after a few hours. This prepared liquid can be used daily; it has a wonderful effect on the skin – it smooths, brightens, and adds vitality. Rose petals are also perfect for cooking, thanks to the jam (recipe below), which goes well with baked goods and meats. For those craving a rose scent, homemade rose oil is also recommended. Simply pour an oil, such as linseed oil, over a handful of petals and seal in a jar for at least two weeks. After this time, strain the mixture and your cosmetic is ready. It is an excellent moisturizer and skin care product. Wild rose is also used commercially, for example, as an ingredient in perfumes.
Is a wild rose just petals? Of course not! After the flowers fade, the fruits are revealed, which eventually turn orange or reddish-orange, with remnants of the calyx remaining at the top. They're worth collecting, as they make excellent additions to your home medicine cabinet. The best time to harvest is late autumn. The harvested fruits are either heat-treated (dried) or hollowed out. In reality, what we call a fruit is merely a pseudo-fruit; beneath the hard, fleshy outer layer lie the nuts, or actual fruit. These are the most desirable part of the plant, containing the most vitamins and minerals. They help with general weakness, stress, and fatigue. Rosehips, in addition to their significant vitamin C content, are distinguished by the presence of over 130 other compounds, including carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene), B vitamins (B1 , B2 , PP), vitamins A, E, K, and essential oils. Rosehips are also a source of simple sugars: fructose, glucose, and trehalose, as well as complex sugars (pectin). The fruit also contains macronutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, and trace elements such as iron, manganese, zinc, and copper. This composition makes the plant a component of many health-promoting products. Rosehips strengthen the body, and thanks to vitamin C, they also positively influence the process of collagenogenesis, i.e., the formation of collagen (a connective tissue protein, a component of tendons), and significantly reduce the risk of cancer.
Rosehip is a plant with many uses, perfect for a home medicine cabinet, as a remedy for colds, and as a body care product. It's worth exploring the power of ingredients contained within this unassuming shrub.
Recipe for wild rose jam:
Ingredients:
– ½ kg of corrugated wild rose (collected in clean places, far from the road),
– 0.3 kg of sugar,
– 1 glass of water,
– lemon juice.
Preparation method:
First, lightly freeze the rosehips and then peel them. Remove the stems from both ends and cut the fruit in half. Thoroughly clean the inside. It's best to rinse everything with water. In a pot, boil 1 cup of water with sugar to create a syrup. Then add the fruit and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that forms and let it sit for several hours. The next day, simmer the jam for several minutes. Repeat this process the next day. Then, transfer the jam to a sterilized jar and turn it upside down.
Ready!
Beata and Patrycja – authors of a book on healthy eating, and sisters in private. They're a harmonious duo, despite their different worldviews. Beata, a dietitian by profession, loves to set high goals for herself, which is why she turned to dietary catering, wanting to care not only for her own health but also for the health of all Warsaw residents. Patrycja, on the other hand, has a journalism degree and loves cooking and documenting her adventures in the kitchen. She works on the artistic side of her blog daily, and as she herself admits, nothing is impossible for her. She always strives for her goal, even though it's often uphill.
