Rosehips are sourced from the wild Common Dog Rose (Rosa canina), which is understood to be indigenous to Great Britain, and can also be found growing wild throughout Europe, North America and Australia.
A discussion of this herb inevitably leads to a discussion on vitamin C which, in partnership with other nutrients, plays a vital role in our overall health.
Rosehip tea is one of the richest and easily obtainable sources of organic vitamin C we have. Without vitamin C our adrenal glands cannot manufacture adrenalin, that hormone which gives us the `get up and go‘ we need to make it through each day’s challenges with enthusiasm, a positive outlook, and enough oomph left over to do it all again the next day. Inadequate levels of vitamin C can result in an apathetic `it’s all too hard’ outlook on life.
We not only need the resilience and drive provided by vitamin C to win daily battles, but also to fight off disease. Vitamin C carries oxygen round the body providing for proper iron absorption. Iron is essential for us to be able to burn cellular waste, including viral infections out of the body. The now popular `detox' may not be so necessary if adequate levels of vitamin C are maintained on a more regular basis.
Vitamin C can be viewed as the glue that holds our cells together. When major tissue damage occurs i.e. after an accident or surgery, vitamin C ensures that new cell tissue is held together firmly, providing strength and resilience.
Anxiety(fear), stress( daily loading), alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs, all deplete vitamin C levels to the point where it may be difficult to summon the energy required to meet life’s demands. Take extra vitamin C in organic form whenever life throws extra challenges your way. A cup of Rosehip tea daily should provide for your regular requirements. You cannot take too much vitamin C in its natural form - any that is not required will pass out of the body without harm, although this is not the case for synthetic forms of vitamin C.
If you find you have an intolerance for natural vitamin C, don’t despair, it is most likely your levels are high enough naturally.
Like all herbs, domesticated varieties lose their potency so do not bother trying the hips from your garden variety roses, only the wild rose is of use medicinally. Rosehips are available at most health food stores.
Luke Hughes is a classical Western herbalist.
Rosehips for ‘Get up and go’
Rosehips are sourced from the wild Common Dog Rose (Rosa canina), which is understood to be indigenous to Great Britain, and can also be found growing wild throughout Europe, North America and Australia.
By Luke Hughes
7/6/2011
Updated: 4/13/2017
