Gifts of Siberia: Rosehip
Chapter 3. In which rosehip elevates mood and strengthens the immune system
"It is a hedge in the garden, a food for the thrush, and a fragrant infusion to combat the common cold" – they said about rosehip in the past. Even today, this thorny shrub remains incredibly beneficial and versatile. Siberians cherish rosehip for its fragrant aroma and beauty. Its flowering in May and June marks the beginning of summer, and its medicinal properties are highly valued, despite its thorny nature.
Beautiful, thorny, medicinal
People often call rosehip a wild rose: In fact, this amazing plant belongs to the rosaceous family and it is the ancestor of all species of cultivated roses. Russia is home to several dozen species of rosehip, and Rosa rugosa and Rosa majalis are the most popular ones among them.
The flowers of the plant are typically pink. You can tell the time of day by its petals: They open in the early morning and close at 7 pm each day. Once the petals fall off, the brownish-red, oval-shaped fruit grows – a true treasure trove of vitamins. The fruit contains nutrients that affect the most important processes in the body.
Rosehip is better than seven doctors –
so says the wisdom, and you can trust in it!
In the 16th century, forest rosehip was utilized for medicinal purposes in Russia, and its fruits were regarded as a miraculous remedy. Today, the benefits of rosehip are recognized by both advocates of conventional and alternative medicine. And it's not surprising!
1. In terms of Vitamin C content, rosehip exceeds blackcurrant and citrus fruits, making it highly effective in combating pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Infusions and herbal teas based on rosehip have anti-inflammatory effects, promote pain relief, reduce fever, and aid in coping with acute respiratory infections and flu.
2. Rosehip is also abundant in B vitamins, flavonoids, Vitamins E, K, and A. Its fruits are rich in calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, making them beneficial for recovery, anemia, and high cholesterol. Moreover, it helps strengthen blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
3. Rosehip fruits have a mild diuretic effect, so they help to eliminate toxins from the body.
4. They are also rich in pectin and fiber, which are beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract and metabolism. However, people with gastrointestinal diseases should exercise caution when consuming rosehip!
5. Rosehip fruits contain Vitamins P and K, which have a beneficial effect on the capillary circulatory system. As a result, retinal nutrition is normalized, and wounds tend to heal faster.
6. Rosehip is often recommended for people with chronic fatigue or recovering after a long illness. Antioxidants in rosehip fruits help reduce oxidative stress.
7. And in general, everything in rosehip is beneficial: From the roots to the very last leaf. Rosehip petals are used to produce expensive rose oil, which finds application in perfumery and cosmetology. Rosehip seeds have choleretic and anti-inflammatory properties, and the polyunsaturated fats in the seeds can protect the skin from UV rays and harmful substances. Rosehip roots, just like the leaves, are abundant in tannins, making decoctions based on them valuable for treating gastrointestinal disorders.
How the berries are harvested
Today, the Siberian rosehip plays a significant role as a vital source of raw materials for the production of vitamin-enriched products. The berries are typically harvested after reaching full ripeness, starting from mid-August until the onset of frost. To protect themselves from thorns, professional pickers wear thick gloves and canvas aprons with large front pockets to collect the fruits, which are then carefully poured into baskets. After picking, the berries are thoroughly washed and dried.
Rosehip processing technologies
It all starts with obtaining a dry concentrate with Vitamin C. The technological process involves several stages: Berry selection and washing, crushing in a specialized apparatus, extraction using organic solvents or liquefied gases, pressing, and drying. The obtained extract is then used for tableting or for preparing syrup with Vitamins C and P. Rosehip oil extracts are obtained from the dried rosehip pulp, which is a byproduct of the production of Vitamins C and P from the fruits.
In Siberian Wellness products, rosehip is presented in the form of fruit extract and oil, which, thanks to careful processing, preserve all the vital vitamins and properties of this legendary plant.
Rosehip can be found in a number of Siberian Wellness products:
– Yoo Go. Jelly Candies with Raspberry and Rosehip (rosehip fruit extract);
– Lactopus and Calcitops Crunchy Balls (rosehip fruits);
– Herbal Tea № 5, № 6 and № 7 (rosehip fruits);
– Siberian Rose Hips Extra Rich Botanical Toothpaste (Siberian rosehip extract, rosehip oil);
– Immunotops Syrup (rosehip extract);
– The Renaissance Triple Set, a set for complex organism detoxification (rosehip fruits).
