Wild Rose

Parts Usually Used

Rose hips (fruit), flowers

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Brier hip is a bushy shrub; varying in height from 2-13 feet, its numerous stems are covered with sharp spines and prickles. The leaves are odd-pinnate, usually consisting of 5-7 leaflets that are opposite, ovate, acute, serrate, and hairy beneath. The flowers are red, pale red, or nearly white and appear from May to July. The oblong, scarlet to orange-red fruit, or hip, contains many one-seeded achenes and ripens in the fall.

There are literally 100s of species of rose, and to them and their varieties have been given thousands of names. The genus Rosa consists of prickly shrubs found wild or cultivated. Red roses are considered best for medicinal use. Other varieties used as rose hips: Rock-rose (Helianthemum canadense); Rosa californica; Cabbage rose (Rosa centifolia); Rosa Damascena; Rosa eglanteria; Rosa gallica; Rosa laevigata; Rosa roxburghii; Large-hip rose (Rosa rugosa); Rosa chinensis.

Where Found

Grows in open fields and thickets and on dry banks from Nova Scotia to Virginia and Tennessee. It is naturalized from Europe, where it is found around the edges of woods, hedges, garden fences, and on sloping ground.

Medicinal Properties

Astringent, carminative, diuretic, tonic

Biochemical Information

Citric acid, flavonoids, fructose, malic acid, sucrose, tannins, vitamins A, B3, C, D, E, and P, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc

Legends, Myths and Stories

The rose, cultivated for over 3,000 years and known from time immemorial as the queen of the flowers, is thought to have originated in Asia Minor. The genus name Rosa is derived from the Greek work rodon, meaning “red”. The ancient Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used the rose not only as a garden ornamental but as the main ingredient in various perfumes and cosmetics. According to Christian legend the rose grew in the Garden of Eden without thorns; but after the fall, thorns sprouted to remind man of his sinful and imperfect nature.

Roses of different colors often have special connotations: the pink rose represents simplicity, often being associated with the Virgin Mary; the yellow rose means perfect achievement, and sometimes jealousy; and the red rose signifies passion and sensual desire, shame, and occasionally blood and sacrifice. From the times of the ancient Egyptians, the rose has been a token of silence.

Many legends purport to explain how the red rose acquired its color. Assuming that the rose was originally white, the Greeks held that it became red from the blood of Aphrodite, who had pricked her foot on a thorn while trying to aid her beloved, dying Adonis. The Turks claim the white rose was stained red by the blood of Mohammed. Christian legend has the red rose resulting from the blood of martyrs.

Uses

Historical herbalists utilized rose hips, or brier hips, for urinary tract and bladder complaints, as well as for digestive support. Traditional accounts regarded the hips as a gentle diuretic that could be used without irritating the kidneys, and recommended them for bladder inflammation, kidney gravel, and stones. Folk practitioners also administered brier hips for gouty and rheumatic conditions, believing they aided in the elimination of uric acid accumulations.

A decoction made from the crushed achenes was sometimes prepared as a beverage tea or utilized during fevers. Culinarily, rose hips were incorporated into fruit dishes and drinks, while both the hips and petals were traditionally made into jellies or candied. Additionally, combinations of rosewater and glycerin served as traditional cosmetic preparations.

How Sold

Rosewater is available from the pharmacy. Also, rosewater and glycerin may be found.

Bibliography

The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine , by Dr. A. , 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A.

Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991 The Magic of Herbs , by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. , Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , Copyright 1988, published 1992 The Complete Medicinal Herbal , by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993 American Folk Medicine , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973 Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements , by James F.

D. and Phyllis A. , 180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, first printed by the United States Government Printing Office, Washington, in 1928, this Dover edition 1974 An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants , by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Crescent Books (January 27, 1992). The Magic of Herbs in Daily Living , by Richard Lucas, Parker Publishing Co. (1988). The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine , by Dr.

David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988. The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974 The Healing Plants , by Mannfried Pahlow, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. , Hauppauge, NY 11788, 1992