Rosehip

Rosehip is the fruit of the rosehip plant (popularly called wild rose, rosa canina), which are used in the kitchen and for medicinal purposes, having multiple benefits on humans, rich being in a variety of nutrients and vitamins: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B8, vitamin B9, betaine, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper and manganese.

According to historical studies, the rosehip has been used, since ancient times, as a natural remedy, by both European (Greek, Roman) and Asian (Persian, Indian, Arab, Chinese) populations, or by Native American tribes.

Rosehip is grown, nowadays, almost all over the globe, both in fields and greenhouses for mass agriculture and in the gardens of people enthusiastic about the benefits they offer – unforgettable, however, the fact that the rosehip grows in the wild.

Rosehip is often used in the kitchen as spices (due to the flavoring function and health benefits), in the preparation of various recipes: rosehip wine, tincture of rosehip, rosehip with honey, tea from leaves and rosehip flowers, cold-pressed rosehip oil, rosehip jam, rosehip vinegar, rosehip syrup, rosehip jam, rosehip liqueur, rosehip decoction, macerated by rosehip, rosehip powder and so on.

Rosa canina, commonly known as the dog rose, is a variable climbing, wild rose species native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia.

Other names under which "rosehips" are also known:

• rose hip
• rose haw
• rose hep
• rosa canina
• dog rose

Nutritional values of rosehip (per 100g)

• Calories: 162 kcal
• Protein: 1.6 g
• Carbohydrates: 38.2 g
• Lipid/Fat: 0.3 g
• Fiber: 24.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38.2 g
• Sugars: 0 g
• Vitamin A: 4345 IU
• Vitamin C: 426 mg
• Vitamin D: 0 IU
• Vitamin E: 5.8 mg
• Vitamin K: 25.9 μg
• Vitamin B1: 0.346 mg
• Vitamin B2: 0.2 mg
• Vitamin B3: 1.3 mg
• Vitamin B4: 0 mg
• Vitamin B5: 0.8 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.1 mg
• Vitamin B8: 12 mg
• Vitamin B9: 3 μg
• Vitamin B12: 0 μg
• Betaine: 2.9 mg
• Calcium: 169 mg
• Iron: 1.1 mg
• Magnesium: 69 mg
• Phosphorus: 61 mg
• Potassium: 429 mg
• Sodium: 4 mg
• Zinc: 0.3 mg
• Iodine: 0 μg
• Selenium: 0 μg
• Copper: 0.1 mg
• Manganese: 1 mg.

What is consumed from the rosehip plant?

• the fruits of the rosehip: are the most commonly used;
• rosehip petals: rosehip petals have hypotensive effect, tension and sedative regulating;
• young buds or shoots of the rosehip: an extract of alcohol, triglycerine, resulting in a strong anti-inflammatory;
• the leaves of the rosehip: less often used.

Benefits of eating rosehip

Rosehip has a multitude of benefits, both physical and mental, improving the immune system, preventing cancer and cardio-vascular diseases, improving digestion, detoxifying the body, improving the appearance of the skin and reducing pain – be it acute or chronic.

Increases immunity

Rosehip, due to the considerable amount of vitamin C, strengthen and stimulate the body's immune system, preventing viral diseases such as colds, flu or pneumonias and facilitating their treatment, giving resistance to the body, in the face of infections of any type – also, rosehip is recommended as an adjunct in the decrease of fever.

Prevents cancer

Rosehip, due to the anti-oxidant properties and the high amount of flavonoids and polyphenols, makes it difficult to multiply and spread cancer cells in the body, preventing cancer and facilitating its treatment – according to the study conducted at the State University, The Agriculture and Technical Section of North Carolina, oral administration of extracted rosehip concentrations, from 0.25 to 1.0 mg/ml, reduced the process of multiplication and spread of cancer cells by at least 25% and maximum 45%.

Prevents cardio-vascular conditions

Rosehip, due to the high intake of vitamins (vitamin C, bioflavonoids, vitamins in the B complex), improves the reactions of the cardio-vascular system to stressful stimuli, thus preventing episodes of hypertension, which, over time, can cause considerable cardio-vascular diseases (note also the importance of leukoanthocyanins and polyphenolic compounds in the prevention of heart disease) – also the rosehip facilitates the treatment of varicose veins, atherosclerosis and thrombophlebitis, acting as vaso-dilator.

Improves digestion

Rosehip, due to the anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties (slightly laxative), regulates and stimulates digestion, while normalizing the intestinal flora and improving intestinal transit (useful in the case of constipation) – also, rosehip can eliminate intestinal worms and facilitate the treatment of cramps, vomiting sensations, intoxication, gastritis, stomach bleeding, enterocolitis and inflammation.

Detoxifies the body

Rosehip stimulates metabolism and the immune system, releasing unwanted toxins and salts from the body (especially the kidneys and liver), detoxifying the body – this stimulates, after all, digestion and causes an increase in the frequency of urination.

Improves skin appearance

The rosehips, applied topically, to the skin (natural masks with rosehips, pitted rosehip paste with aspirin – even it is possible that the simple consumption of the rosehip contributes to the beauty of the skin), considerably improve its appearance, reducing inflammation (so useful in the case of acne), hydrating and regenerating the structures of the skin – facts that are due to the high intake of vitamins (especially vitamin C).

Reduces pain

Rosehips, due to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (associated with carotenoids and flavonoids) considerably reduces pain, be it chronic (arthritis) or acute (sprains or lesions) – also in the case of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, rosehips improve mobility and reduce inflammation.

Rosehip helps stimulate collagen formation

Rosehip helps stimulate collagen formation due to its high vitamin C content.

Risks and adverse effects

Rosehip, under certain conditions of consumption and use, can be risky, with the possibility of considerable adverse effects.

• Irritation of the digestive tract: consumption and digestion of rosehip seeds can lead to irritation of the digestive tract.
• Stomach cramps: eating excessive, rosehip can lead to stomach cramps.
• Nausea: eating excessive, rosehip can lead to nausea.

Contraindications for the consumption of rosehip

Rosehips, even if they have a lot of beneficial effects for the body, may not be suitable for certain categories of people.

• Bronchial asthma: consumption of rosehip seeds should be avoided by asthma sufferers, as they can irritate the respiratory system and cause a number of unpleasant allergic (asthmatic) seizures.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: tinctures and extracts from rosehip should be used with caution by pregnant women and those in the breastfeeding stage – also tea and rosehip seeds should be consumed in moderate amounts.

Conclusion

Rosehip is extremely beneficial for the physical and mental health of humans, as long as they are consumed in moderation, in optimal and safe amounts for the body, while taking into account the associated risks and possible adverse effects, as well as contraindications.

Did you know that...?

• Rosehips are 50 times richer in vitamins than lemons.
• Rosehips contain 100 times more vitamin C than cherries, sour cherries and mandarins.
• Rosehips contain 200 times more vitamin C than apples.
• The great advantage of the fruits of the rosehip is that in its composition there are some substances that favor the assimilation of vitamin C by the body, practically a better metabolism of it.
• Rosehips are picked when they are red and still hard, then dried in airy spaces and can last up to 2 years.