Though I love roses, I like wild roses (Rosa canina) more.
As the warmth of summer withered the roses, rosehips followed. I call them the “fruit of the hidden rose” because they contain not only the amazing components passed down from the flower but even more. The resilience of wild roses, thriving as they do in the wild, brings potent benefits to the rosehips they leave behind.
Unlike the bold blossoms of summer roses, which bloomed in the sun and caught everyone's eye, rosehips emerged after the flowers had faded.
When everything has wilted and fallen, rosehip appears quietly as a simple, unassuming fruit; it shines brightly among the weathered surroundings.
I've spent the last few days dedicated to gathering rosehips, fully immersed in the beauty of the season.
The ground was wet, and everything around was quiet. The trees were still, with most of their leaves fallen, now showing rich, warm colours.
It had been cold, and my hands were frozen. I was picking these beautiful jewels before they fell on the ground; it was the last chance to pick them up when they were at their prime, and I left it a bit late.
Rosehips are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids and also contain vitamins A, E, K, and B vitamins, making them a powerful source for immune health, skin vitality, bone support, and overall wellness.
If you have rosehips around you and want to use them, go for them; you'll be surprised by their incredible secrets.
How do I use them?
A couple of months ago, I made raw rosehip honey. Rosehips are loaded with vitamin C, and vitamin C degrades in heat, so I prefer preparing them raw.
Simply add them to the honey, and it will infuse it with its goodness.
I also layer sugar and rosehip alternately and let them turn into a beautiful, nutritious syrup naturally.
But for a quick process, gently simmer the rosehips and water, strain them, mix them with sugar, and reduce them to syrup.
Or add lemon, reduce it further, and turn it into a marmalade!
I dried the rest as emergency ingredients for my skincare formulations and also for decorative purposes.
And some for tea. Gently simmer the hips and pour in your cup, add honey if preferred.
It is also the time when I refresh Organicare's stock of the popular brightening and regenerating rosehip face oil, which is made from rosehip extracted using my unique artisanal process. It is a favourite for glowing skin.
If you want to craft a simple face oil at home, add rosehip in a carrier oil such as jojoba or olive oil. Letting the rosehips steep in oil for a few weeks before straining will yield a potent, skin-nourishing oil.
If you want to try mine, I have a few to give away and am pleased to send you one; cover the postage cost via hive (exclusive for hiveans). My email address is mariahemails@proton.me
I add them to my body butter; it is luscious, just like skin food!
I also put them in soaps.
I also turn them into wine!
Rosehips make a fruity, full-bodied wine!
What I love best is that I enjoy the taste, and amazing benefits during the cold season by mixing them in my kombucha tea for a vitamin Boost.
As the hairy bits inside these fruits can be gastric irritants, I normally add them whole so I don't have to strain them.
It is beautiful how the kombucha pulls the nutrients to make it a super drink, supporting my immune system and keeping colds and flu at bay.
If you don't have kombucha, go ahead and add vinegar; the rosehips will infuse the vinegar, making it a great nutritious salad dressing.
So, if you come across wild roses like Rosa Canina in the colder months, remember they carry hidden treasures. Enjoy the beauty of the season and gather these resilient fruits—the gifts of the wild rose—to enjoy their nourishing power all year long!
A lovely day to everyone!
Mariah 😊🌹