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Hip Fruit | | Name : | Hip Fruit | | Parts Used : | Rose hips (fruit), flowers | | Habitat : | Grows in open fields and thickets and on dry banks from Nova Scotiato Virginia and Tennessee. It is naturalized from Europe, where itis found around the edges of woods, hedges, garden fences, and onsloping ground. | | Description : | Brierhip is a bushy shrub; varying in height from 2-13 feet,its numerous stems are covered with sharp spines and prickles. Theleaves are odd-pinnate, usually consisting of 5-7 leafletsthat are opposite, ovate, acute, serrate, and hairy beneath. The flowersare red, pale red, or nearly white and appear from May to July. Theoblong, scarlet to orange-red fruit, or hip, contains many one-seededachenes and ripens in the fall.
There are literally 100s of species of rose, and to them and theirvarieties have been given thousands of names. The genus Rosa consistsof prickly shrubs found wild or cultivated. Red roses are consideredbest for medicinal use.
Other varieties used as rose hips: Rock-rose (Helianthemum canadense);Rosa californica; Cabbage rose (Rosa centifolia); Rosa Damascena;Rosa eglanteria; Rosa gallica; Rosa laevigata; Rosa roxburghii; Large-hiprose (Rosa rugosa); Rosa chinensis. | | Constituents : | Citric acid, flavonoids, fructose, malic acid, sucrose, tannins,vitamins A, B3, C, D, E, and P, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc
Astringent, carminative, diuretic, tonic | | Uses : | Good for all infectionsand bladder problems. Helpscombat stress. Particularlygood for digestion andproduce a diuretic effect without irritating the kidneys. Kidney stonesor gravel; brier hips used as a preventative or arrestant. Use forkidney and bladderinflammations. By eliminating uric acid accumulations, brier hipshelp in gouty and rheumaticcomplaints. A decoction of crushed achenes is also sometimes usedfor fever and as a beverage tea.Rose hips enhance fruit dishes and drinks. Both the hips ant the petalsare made into jellies.
Rosewater and glycerin, an old-fashioned cosmetic, but really isvery effective. Use a rosewater-to-glycerin ratio between 50-50and 75-25.
Try candied rose petals. | | Dosage : | Infusion: use 1 to 2 tsp. hips (withoutseeds) with 1 cup boiling water.
Decoction: use 1/2 to 1 tsp. powderedachenes with 1 cup water. Boil until 1/2 cupof liquid remains. Drink in the course of the day.
Rose hip tea: Long served in northern Europe. Very high invitamin C and good for daily use. The dried, finely choppedrose hips must be soaked in a small amount of water for 12 hoursbefore using. The tea is made by simmering 1 tbsp. rosehipsin 3 cups of water for 30-40 minutes. Asmall amount of dried hibiscus flowers makes a nice addition to thistea, giving it a lemony flavor and a very attractive burgundy color. | | Safety : | Do not use roses that have been treated with pesticides or pesticide-containingfertilizers. | | Myths : | The rose, cultivated for over 3,000 years and known from time immemorialas the queen of the flowers, is thought to have originated in AsiaMinor. The genus name Rosa is derived from the Greek work rodon, meaning'red'. The ancient Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used therose not only as a garden ornamental but as the main ingredient invarious perfumes and cosmetics.
According to Christian legend the rose grew in the Garden of Edenwithout thorns; but after the fall, thorns sprouted to remind manof his sinful and imperfect nature.
Roses of different colors often have special connotations: the pinkrose represents simplicity, often being associated with the VirginMary; the yellow rose means perfect achievement, and sometimes jealousy;and the red rose signifies passion and sensual desire, shame, andoccasionally blood and sacrifice. From the times of the ancient Egyptians,the rose has been a token of silence.
Many legends purport to explain how the red rose acquired its color.Assuming that the rose was originally white, the Greeks held thatit became red from the blood of Aphrodite, who had pricked her footon a thorn while trying to aid her beloved, dying Adonis. The Turksclaim the white rose was stained red by the blood of Mohammed. Christianlegend has the red rose resulting from the blood of martyrs. | | Nutrient : | Vitamins A, B3, C, D, E, and P, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Zinc | | Sold : | Rosewater is available from the pharmacy. Also, rosewater and glycerinmay be found. |
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