Rose hips are the seed pods of rose plants. They are usually red or orange, but they can also be purple or black. Rose hips, which ripen in the late summer and fall, remain on the plant after the rose blooms fade. Most gardeners don’t see rose hips because they prune faded rose blooms to encourage more flowers.

But if you leave the spent blooms on the rose bush at the end of the season, you should see tiny, reddish, berry-like fruits left on the tips of the stems. Though ornamental, these are edible and birds enjoy them.

Taste-wise, rose hips have a bit of the tartness of crab apples. They make great jellies, sauces, syrups, soups and even fruit leather.

Health benefits of rose hips

Rose hips may be tiny, but they pack a nutritious punch. For starters, these false fruits are loaded with vitamin C. They also contain several antioxidants that are beneficial to your health, such as vitamin E, lycopene and beta-carotene. As such, rose hips have been linked to the following health benefits:

1. Strengthens your immune system – Rose hips can boost your immune system, thanks to vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to immune defense by helping white blood cells – cells that defend the body against infection – function more effectively.
2. May help relieve arthritis pain – In one study, volunteers with arthritis who received rose hip reported improvements in their condition. Another study involving people with osteoarthritis found that rose hip powder helped reduce pain in the hips, joints and knees.
3. May prevent heart disease – Experts believe that the flavonoids and other antioxidants in rose hips may offer protective benefits against heart disease. In one study, researchers found that rose hip powder helped reduce heart disease risk significantly.
4. Regulates blood sugar – In a 2011 study, researchers found that rose hip powder helped prevent diabetes in mice by normalizing blood sugar levels.
5. Treats gastrointestinal problems – Historically, natural healers used rose hip to treat diarrhea, stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal issues. Researchers believe rose hip’s beneficial effects on such health problems may be attributed to its antioxidants.

Rose hip recipes

For the sweetest flavor, harvest rose hips in the fall after the first light frost has nipped the rose shrub’s leaves. At this point, rose hips should still be firm. Typically, rose hips are red or orange at maturity.

Don’t wait until the rose hips are dried up before harvesting them. At this point, they are better left as food for birds. When fully ripe, rose hips can simply be plucked off the rose canes. Alternatively, you can clip off rose hips with a knife or a pair of scissors. Make sure to wear garden gloves to avoid being pricked by rose thorns.

After harvesting, clean your rose hips by trimming the stems and blossom ends. Halve each one and remove the inner seeds. Rinse the deseeded rose hips before using them in any recipe.

Rose hip syrup

Rose hips have irritating hairs in their fleshy, seed-containing center. Though innocuous at first glance, they can make you itch if you are not careful.

Rose hip syrup is a great way to make the most of rose hips while avoiding the itch.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rose hips
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar

Preparation:

1. Wash the rose hips thoroughly. Remove any stems and flower remnants.
2. Boil the rose hips and water for 20 minutes in a covered saucepan.
3. Once boiled, strain the rose hips. Return the juice to the saucepan.
4. Add sugar to the rose hip juice and stir well. Boil for 5 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved.
5. Pour the syrup into a sterilized airtight container. Let cool before refrigerating.

Rose hip jelly

This fresh rose hip jelly is easy to make and incredibly delicious. You will need pectin, which you can easily get at stores that sell canning supplies or at major grocery stores.

Ingredients:

• 1 package pectin crystals
• 4 quarts rose hips
• 2 quarts water
• 5 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preparation:

1. In a large saucepan, simmer the rose hips in the water until soft.
2. Mash the rose hips in the pan, then strain them. You should have about 4 cups of rose hip juice.
3. Return the juice to the saucepan. Add lemon juice and pectin crystals and stir until the mixture comes to a hard boil.
4. Immediately add sugar, then bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
5. Remove the jelly from the heat. Skim off foam using a stainless-steel spoon.
6. Pour the jelly into sterilized jars and process in a water bath. Refrigerate or freeze for longer storage.

Enjoy the amazing benefits of vitamin C-rich rose hips when you incorporate them into your daily routine.

Sources:

VeryWellHealth.com

TheSpruceEats.com 1

TheSpruceEats.com 2