Rose hips.
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
From: Deb Skinner <deb.mtjeff.com>
Date: 07 Nov 1995 08:44:36 GMT
Subject: Re: rose hips
> As a follow-up to the other post about rose hips, I also just picked a bunch. I've never done anything with rose hips before, but have some great reference books on hand. The problem is, some of the hips are a pale orange, a few brown, most are various shades of plum. Also, some are slightly softer than others.
>Can anyone tell me which are the ones that I should use? I don't know if the plum ones are too old or what. And, of course, NONE of the reference books I have even MENTION what the hips should LOOK like when you use them!
>ANY info greatly appreciated!
If you picked wild rose hips, away from the smog and polution (keep your spot a secret ;>) then they can all be used. The soft ones are a little riper and sometimes don't dry the same (you could make them into a tea, strain, & freeze for quick use later). They usually change to a brighter color after the first frost, and are sweeter then, too. Dry them, single layer in a cloth covered rack or basket, out of the sun (or food dryer less than 100*). When completely dry, put into a jar and store in a cool dry place.
From: gmorison.ix.netcom.com (Helen Morrison)
>As a follow-up to the other post about rose hips, I also just picked a
The shape, texture, and color of a ripe rose hip depends on the kind of rose it came from. One of my climbing roses has hips that turn bright orange, and some of my moss rosses have "mossy" hips.
A ripe hip has even color throughout. Make sure they don't have bruises or soft spots. They should be firm but not hard, and not squishy, about the hardness of a soft apple.
From: Neil Kolton <umkolto1.CC.UManitoba.CA>
> How do I make rose hip tea? I have a wild rose bush that is loaded with rose hips and I would like to be able to use them. Should I dry the rose hips or use them fresh, should they be whole or ground? How much rose hip per cup of tea?
Rose Hip tea is really easy. Since you already have the hips, your set. You can use them fresh, dried or frozen. The way we make it at home, is take a pot, boil some water. And while its heating up, mash some fresh hips in the bottom. Let it boil for a few minutes until it looks right and drink. Sugar is always a good thing.
For frozen or dried, do the same as you would with normal loose tea. Pour boiling water over top, and let steep.
Actually, I prefer to mix some loose tea in with the hips, it gives it more body.
From: callie.writepage.com (Callie)
>What part of the rose bush is the hip?
It is the ripe seed pod. On some species of roses, usually the wild ones, it can be the size of a large cherry or grape. They are high in vitamin C and make a pleasant tea or even jelly (if cooked, squished and filtered)
From: Deb Skinner <deb.mtjeff.com>
>What part of the rose bush is the hip?
After the flower has bloomed (if the rosebush isn't pruned) the rosehip will develop. It is usually round or oval, and the blossom end has little 'hairs' on it. It is full of seeds. They should be picked in the fall, after a good frost. They usually will have turned some shade of red.
Usually the hybrid roses (the fancy ones in most gardens) have had most of the "medicine" bred out of them. The ones to use for medicine (or tea) are wild from an unpolluted, unsprayed area (good luck!). They will generally be smaller than the garden varieties.
After picking the hips, you can make tea right away and dry some for future use. To dry: spread on a cloth in a basket 1 layer deep and put them in a dry room away from the sun (some people dry them in the dark). To make tea: Boil water, add crushed rosehips (fresh or dry), simmer gently for about 10 minutes, strain, enjoy.
From: Neil Kolton <umkolto1.CC.UManitoba.CA>
To answer the question of which part of the wild rose plant is the "hip". It is the part which was once the flower. The petals fall off and what is left is the seed pod - the "hip". It is very good for you. Packed with tons of vitamin C. I have heard that one hip has as much vitamin C as 3 to 10 oranges.
From: ao465.detroit.freenet.org (Susan L. Nielsen)
> I have been unable to figure it out with out asking. What part of the rose bush is the hip?
The hip is the seed pod which forms after the petals have fallen from the rose. Some varieties produce larger hips than others, so don't expect to find them on every tea rose.
