Brier Rose
(Rose Hips)

The curative potential of rose hips—the fleshy red fruits of the dog rose and other
typesos wild and shrub roses—has been known since the Stone Age. Today, as then,
the fruits are mashed into a Vitamin-rich pulp and consumed raw or cooked. They are
also often dried. Rose hips are used to prepare teas, extracts, purées or marmalades.

A genus consisting of about 150 species of deciduous and semi-evergreen shrubs and climbers, widespread in northern temperate regions. The cultivation of roses dates back thousands of years. In many cases, the origins and correct names or roses are extremely difficult to elucidate. It is thought that Rosa gallica var. officinalis is descended from the S European R. rubra, and was named int he 13th century when it spread into Gaul (present day France). In the 14th century, R. x damascena known as ('Summer Damask' n the USA) was brought from Persia by knights returning from the Crusades. Rosa rugosa and R. laevigata are both of Asian origin. Roses have been important since earliest times in ritual, cosmetic, perfumes, and medicines. Various kinds were used medicinally by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Persians; in CE77 Pliny recorded 32 different disorders that responded well to treatment by rose preparations. Rosa gallica var. officinalis and R. x damascena were widely grown in medieval times for medicinal purposes. Rosa laevigata was first mentioned in Chinese medical literature about CE470, and probably reached the USA via the East India Company in 1759; as the Cherokee rose it later became the state flower of Georgia. Rosa rugosa is used to a lesser extent in Chinese medicine and is fairly recent, being first mentioned in Food as Materia Medica during the Ming dynasty (CE1368-1644); it reached Europe, the USA, and Australia during the 19th century from its homelands in Japan and N China. Red rose petals were listed in the British Pharmacopoeia until the 1930s as an astringent and flavoring for medicines. Rose oil, or attar (otto) of roses, is a steam-distilled, clear essential oil consisting of beta-damascenone, which gives the typical rose fragrance; its constituents include citronellol, and insecticidal, anti-rheumatic compound which is isolated commercially (but mainly from Pelargonium spp. See, Wild Rose Geranium) for use in rose-scented perfumes, cosmetics, and soap. The essential oil was originally extracted by macerating rose petals in oil or molten fat. In the 16th century, Persian chemists produced a superior oil by distillation. Genuine rose oil is a costly commodity, taking 0.98 tons of petals to produce 300g (11oz) of oil; for this reason, it is now largely synthesized. Rose absolute is a solvent-extract, yellow-orange essential oil, widely used in perfumery. Rose leaf oil is also used. Some 96 percen of women's perfumes and 42 percent of men's fragrances contain rose oil, putting it on par with jasmine in popularity. Rose oil also predominates in the anointing oil used in the coronation of British monarchs. Rose water was first produced by a Persian physician, Avicenna, in the 1st century CE. "Cold cream" was originally known as "ointment of rose water", because it contained rose water and rose oil. Several different roses are traditionally grown for essential oil and rose water, including R. x centifolia (Provence Rose, Rose de Mai, 'Cabbage Rose'), R. x damascena, R. gallica, and variants of R.x alba, though any strongly scented rose can be used. Bulgarian rose attar is mainly from R. x alba and R. x damascena. The Kazanlik rose, R. x damascena 'Trigintipetala', is outstandingly fragrant but the true cultivar is rarely seen; R. 'Professeur Emile Perrot' is very similar and widely cultivated. Rose hips contain large amounts of vitamins, notably vitamin C; one cup of rose-hip pulp contains as much vitamin C as 40 oranges. Toward the end of World War II, when citrus fruits were unavailable, 120-450 tons of rose hips were harvested from the wild in Britain each year to make rose-hip syrup as a vitamin C supplement for children.

Variable, deciduous shrub with arching stems, curved prickles, and pinnate leaves, to 5cm (2in) long, divided into 5-7 ovate leaflets. Scented, pale pink or white, 5-petaled flowers, to 5cm (2in) across, are produced in clusters of 1-4 from early to mid-summer, followed by ovoid, scarlet hips, to 3cm (1¼in)long.

Common Name:	Brier Rose
Other Names:	Dog Rose
Botanical Name:	Rosa canina
Genus:	Rosa
Family:	Rosaceae
Native Location:	Europe, northern Africa, western and central Asia, United States
Cultivation:	Well-drained, moist, rich neutral to slightly acid soil (including clay) in sun. Rosa rubiginosa enjoys dry, calcareous conditions; R. laevigata thrives in poor soils, R. rugosa tolerates dry, sandy or coastal conditions. Remove dead and damaged wood, and prune lightly in early winter, removing weak growths. Most species and old roses flower on the previous year's growth and should not be cut back hard. Rose hips, especially of R. rugosa, may be damaged by birds. Leaves may be damaged by blackspot, downy mildew, rust, viruses, and sawfly. Buds and flowers are prone to attack by aphids.
Propagation:	By seed sown in autumn (species only); by budding in summer; by hardwood cuttings in autumn.
Harvest:	Petals are collected when flowers first open and distilled for oil and rose water, used fresh for syrups, crushed into pastes, or dried for use in decoctions. Fruits are picked when ripe and used fresh or dried in decoctions, or made into syrups and candy. Seeds (R. rubiginosa) from ripe fruits are processed commercially for oil extraction.
Height:	3m (10ft)
Width:	3m (10ft)
History:	Whole books have been written about the glorious rose, inarguably the most beautiful and beloved of blossoms. For more than 3,000 years, this "gift of the angels" has delighted the senses and soothed the souls of people worldwide. Many marvelous myths have sprung up around the origins of the rose, but one ancient Greek legend stands above the rest. Chloris, the Greek goddess of flowers, was wandering in the woods when she discovered the dead body of a lovely wood nymph. She called on the other gods and goddesses to help her transform the lifeless nymph into the most beautiful and enduring of flowers. Dionysus, the god of wine and pleasure, gave the flower its luscious nectar and scent; Aphrodite, the goddess of love, imbued the flower with her own pristine beauty; the three sister goddesses Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia—collectively known as the Graces—endowed the rose with their respective gifts of intelligence, happiness, and eternal youth. Finally, Chloris herself bestowed on the rose a shimmering crown of dewdrops and declared the blossom the "queen of the flowers". Through the ages, writers, painters, horticulturists, gardeners, florists, perfumers, lovers, and sensualists of every ilk have ensured that the rose's many delights remain forever immortalized. And if all that were not enough, the rose is also good medicine. Almost 2,000 years ago, the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, and Romans used various rose preparations to treat over 30 different ailments—from coughs and kidney disorders, to fatigue and infections. And the herb is still used today for many of the same ailments. Rose petals (the plant's flowers), rose hips (the plant's fruits), and rose oil and rose water (both made from the petals) all have distinct therapeutic properties. Petals from the apothecary's rose and damask rose are most frequently used for medicinal purposes—in teas, rose oil, and rose water. Dog rose is the major source of rose hips used in teas. Rose hips from another Asian species (R. laevigata) with the unlikely common name Cherokee rose in the United States—but jing ying zi in the East—are also popular in the West, but only in the last 250 years. They have been used in Chinese medicine, however, for almost 2,000 years to fight bacterial and viral infections. Cherokee rose traveled to the United States in the mid-eighteenth century—via the East India Trading Company—and became Georgia's state flower.
Warning:	Hips and seeds contain irritant hairs. R. canina and R. rubiginosa are subject to statuatory control as weeds in some countries, notably in parts of Australia and the USA.
Plant Facts:	The dog rose, a main source of rose hips, grows up to 10 feet high and bears fragrant white flowers. The hips, which have a slightly sour but pleasant taste, emerge in the fall, after the blooms have faded and the petals have dropped off.
Hardiness:	Z5-8
Origin:	Native to Europe, northern Africa and western and central Asia, wild and shrub roses now grow in many parts of the United States, too
Parts Used:	Rose hips can be used fresh or dried for medicinal purposes. To prepare them, cut the fruits open. For wine or a smooth texture in jellies or purées, remove the seeds. When you are ready to store them, do not use a metal container because fruit acids can react with the metal, giving the hips an off flavor. Fruits (hips), with seeds and irritant hairs removed.
Properties:	An acidic, astringent, tonic herb, rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, and K, flavonoids, tannins, plant sugars and acids, pectin, carotenoids, and volatile oil.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for colds, influenza, minor infectious diseases, scurvy, and gastritis; also to control diarrhea. Rose has antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, digestive, expectorant, sedating, stomach-soothing, and tonic properties. Rose petals are taken internally—usually in teas—as a blood and nerve tonic to treat anxiety, bronchitis, canker sores, colds, congestion, coughs, depression, diarrhea, fatigue, menstrual cramps, and sore throats. They are used externally to treat headaches, irritated eyes, mouth sores, skin infections, sore throats, and wounds. Rose hips are used internally—in teas—as a general tonic (the herb is rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, and the B vitamins) and to treat bacterial and viral infections, colds, diarrhea, flu and upset stomach. Rose oil is sometimes used internally for bacterial and viral infections, but only under the supervision of a medical practitioner. It is most commonly used (inhaled) in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety and depression. Rose oil is used externally for inflammatory skin infections and to treat burns and scars. Rose water is used externally for irritated eyes and damaged skin.
Components:	Rose hips are prized primarily for their high Vitamin C content. The fruits also contain such health promoting substances as carotenoids (yellow-orange pigments with antioxidant properties), fruit acids and pectin.
Indications:	Because they are so rich in Vitamin C—which strengthens the immune system—rose hips are often taken to prevent or treat colds. They also have very mild diuretic and astringent properties that may help people with chronic kidney disease or poor bladder control. The fruit acids and pectin in rose hips can have a slight laxative effect. In addition, rose hips' antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties make them useful as a disinfectant.
Extra Tip:	Just 1 tbsp. of rose-hip pulp more than satisfies the adult Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin C: 60 mg. To storethe pulp, freeze it in small portions.
Preparation:	To make a tea from the petals, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried herb and steep for 5 minutes. Strain, and drink up to 2 cups a day. To make a tea from the hips, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried herb and steep for 5 minutes. Strain, and drink up to 3 cups a day.
Methods of Administration:	Tea: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tbsp.of dried crushed rose hips. Steep this mixture for 10 min., then strain. Drink 1 cup 3 times daily. Commercial rose-hips tea bags are also effective. Wine: Remove the seeds from 3½ oz. of dried rose hips and steep the hulls in 1 qt. of dry red wine for 2 weeks. Strain. Drink a small glass of the wine daily. Syrup: Put 7 oz. of dried rose hips and ½ cup of sugar in 1¼ cups of 100-proof alcohol. Let this mixture sit for 4 weeks. Dilute the strained liquid with ¾ cup of water. Enjoy a small liqueur glass of the syrup daily. Pulp, Raw: In a food processor, blend the hulls of the freshly picked fruits into a purée and press the pulp through a sieve. The fresh uncooked fruits can be eaten raw or used to make rose-hip jelly. Pulp, Cooked: Steep the hulls of freshly picked fruits overnight in water. Simmer this mixture for 30 min., then strain. Eat it as is or add it to sauces.
Caution:	Do not substitute hybrid or garden roses for medicinal roses featured here. Internal use of rose oil—which is generally considered nontoxic—should be done under the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner. Much rose oil is adulterated with other plant materials and filler. Pure rose oil is expensive and less widely available.
Culinary Uses:	Rose hips are used in making wine, vinegar, jams, jellies, syrup, soup, and tea.
Economic Uses:	Fruits are made into syrup as a nutritional supplement, especially for babies. Syrup is also added to cough mixtures and used to flavor medicines. Extracts are added to vitamin C tablets, food supplements, herbal remedies, and herb teas.
Bibliography:	The Complete Guide to Natural Healing Group 1 card 5 The Encyclopedia or Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp. 346-347 The Modern Herbal Primer by Nancy Burke Copyright©2000 Yankee Publishing, Inc. pp 121-123