Rosehip Tea

Lauded for their medicinal qualities, rosehip remedies have been known since ancient times. The wild rose was gathered for centuries before the advancement of monastic medicine in the Middle Ages led to its domestication in medicinal monastery gardens.

The origins of the rose still remain a mystery today, though it is believed to have originated in Persia. The known truth is that this beautiful plant is native to Europe and temperate regions of North Africa, though it can also be found growing in hedges, woods and roadsides in North America.

Rosehip tea is a delicious floral blend that has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries. This sweet and tangy tea offers a unique blend of flavours to entice taste buds.

Rosehip tea is an herbal tea made from the fruit of the rose plant. Rose hips are the rounded part of the flower just below the petals. They are also known as dog rose fruit, rose haw, hipberry, and hip fruit. The plants are commonly used to make rose hip oil, which is used in aromatherapy along with other essential oils and seed oils to induce relaxation. Rosehips are also commonly used in culinary dishes and to brew tea.

There are two main types of rose hip seeds used to make tea: Rosa rugosa and Rosa canina. Rose hips contain polyphenols, carotenoids, essential fatty acids, lycopene, and ascorbic acid. They area good source of vitamin C and may help to boost immunity.

The rose hips begin to grow in early summer and are harvested in late summer and late fall. They can be harvested from cultivated roses and wild rose bushes.

Rosehip tea is naturally caffeine-free. It can be brewed using fresh or dried rose hips as well as tea bags. Make sure to use flowers you find in your own garden, certified organic rose hips from plants and plants that are cultivated away from pollutants such as major roadways.

Flavour Profile

Rose hip teas do not contain rose petals, but still feature a delicate floral flavor with a tart aftertaste. Brewed rosehips looks deep red in color and features a tangy and sweet aroma. Rosehip tea has a flavor similar to green apples, ripe plums, and hibiscus tea. Hints of rose can be found in the aromatic fragrance and the delicate sweet flavor. This tea benefits from a touch of agave or honey, which draw out the naturally sweet flavors.

Immune-Boosting Activities

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, taking high amounts of vitamin C regularly may reduce the severity and frequency of colds.

The vitamin C content in rose hips have been shown to exceed that of lemons by as much as 20 times. Depending on the type of rose and the ripeness, the vitamin C content can vary between 400 and 5,000 mg per 100 g. In addition, rose hip contains vitamin A and B, as well as minerals and trace elements such as zinc and copper. It also contains the red plant pigment lycopene. Lycopene is one of the antioxidants that protect the body from harmful free radicals. Because of its high vitamin C content, rose hip tea is particularly helpful for combating the common cold. The recommended daily dose of vitamin C is completely covered by even small amounts of rose hips.

In alternative medicine, rose hip is touted as a natural remedy for a variety of health problems, including:

• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Constipation
• Diabetes
• Diarrhea
• Gallstones
• Gout
• Ulcers
• Urinary tract infections

In addition, rose hip is purported to strengthen the immune system, promote circulation, reduce inflammation, and even prevent heart disease.

Anti-Aging: Rose hip tea is anti-aging, as it heals tissues and cells, while its antioxidant property fights cell damage due to free radicals. It also tones the organs and regenerates cells.

Harvesting Rosehips

Rosehip often grows wild on nutrient-rich soils along paths and forest sides. The rosehip can be collected in nature until far into November. The fruits are ripe when they are easy to be plucked and the skin softens at the touch of a finger. The processing is a little laborious, but it is worth the effort. Stem, flower base and the seeds (nuts) with their hairs inside the fruit capsule must be removed. It is best to wear gloves, as the hairs irritate the skin and mucous membranes.

Rosehips in any form are good for the protection against infections. They help to regulate digestion (both constipation and diarrhoea), relieve stomach cramps or nausea, have a diuretic effect (good for kidney disease) and are excellent for detoxification in spring.

If you take the effort to dry the peel of the fruit, you can make an infusion from it that is helpful for bladder and kidney problems. This is due to the high content of plant acids and pectids. Good results have also been achieved in the treatment of arthritis with rosehip powder. Unfortunately, many commercially available teas or instant powders only contain traces of the active substances of rose hips. It is better to use dried fruits.

The dried hips fruit was used in folk and Traditional German Herbal Medicine for digestive problems, urinary and kidney disorders, rheumatism, gout, colds, intestinal conditions, and other febrile conditions. Rosehip had the great virtue of being high in a number of nutrients and especially high in vitamin C, so it is no surprise that it is one of the more widely-applied remedies.

Pectin in Rose Hips

Another important ingredient in rosehip is pectin, which contributes to the detoxifying properties. Specifically, pectin supports a laxative effect on the intestines, treating and preventing mild constipation.

Rosehip Tea Benefits

Rosehip tea is traditionally used to strengthen the immune system, to prevent colds and infections. Rosehip tea is particularly useful for restoring strength after an illness or after a diet.

Since rosehip tea is also known for its diuretic qualities, it is traditionally used to treat inflammation of the urinary tract and to detox during fasting and cleansing cures. Rosehip is also found as an additive in sweat-inducing teas. Rosehip tea has a revitalizing effect against fever. The rich vitamin C increases the body's immune system's defences.

Rosehip tea is particularly effective in the treatment of rheumatism and urinary tract infections, for example, due mainly to the diuretic and antipyretic effects of rosehip tea.

Rosehip as Tea

In general, only the dried rosehip husks are used as tea.

However, the seeds are not necessarily to be removed and can be safely prepared with the tea. The seeds of the rosehip, are responsible for the light diuretic and draining effect. When the rosehip seeds are released before the husks are dried, gloves should be worn as the hairs on the seeds can easily cause unpleasant skin reactions and itching.

Side Effects of Rosehip Tea

There are no known side effects when drinking rosehip tea. Even as a drink for children, the sour-fruity tasting tea - often mixed with mallow, hibiscus or other fruits - is a refreshing and side-effect-free infusion and a good alternative to lemonades.

The rose is a deeply respected flower in ayurveda used for thousands of years.

Brew up a hot cup and sip to your health.

Wonderfully delicious and filled with the benefits of vitamin C, this tea will soon be one of your favourites.

Love and light,

Sophie and Ellie xx

Sources:

Zak, V. (2009) 20,000 Secrets of Tea: The Most Effective Ways to Benefit from Nature's Healing Herbs

Jewitt, A. (2015) Types of Tea and Their Health Benefits

Hobson. P. (2015) Making & Using Dried Foods

Healthyhildegard.com, therighttea.com; webmd.com; cupandleaf.com;