Rose hips develop on wild roses as the flowers drop off. The rose hip, also called the rose haw, is the fruit of the rose. Rose hips were called “the food of the gods” by the ancient Greeks and regarded as beneficial for a number of health reasons.

Rose hips are available as an oil and as a powder. The powder makes a healthy additional to a smoothie. Rose hip seed oil can be used on the skin and is found in some skin creams. The Rosa Canina species is commonly used as a source of rose hips.

Rose hips contain vitamins A, C, D and E, flavonoids and iron. Rose hips are particularly high in vitamin C, with about 200 mg per 10 g of dried rose hips, making it one of the richest plant sources of vitamin C.

Benefits of rose hips

Research shows that rose hips reduce pain and improve general wellbeing in patients with osteoarthritis.

Rose hip tea is thought to be a natural cold remedy that soothes coughs and flushes out toxins from the kidneys and urinary tract.

Rose hip seed oil is claimed to soften the skin, build collagen and reduce sun damage that causes fine lines and wrinkles.

Rose hips and spirulina

Mr Cabbage Head suggests this potent start to the day. Mix 10g of powdered spirulina and 10g of rose hip powder with water or soy milk. It doesn’t taste that good, but it is a powerful start to the day. This is a quick way to start the day if you are in a hurry. Have a piece of fruit afterwards to change your taste.

References:

Christensen R et al., Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? – a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2008.

Kharazmi A., Rein E., Winther K. A herbal remedy, Hyben Vital (stand. powder of a subspecies of Rosa canina fruits), reduces pain and improves general wellbeing in patients with osteoarthritis–a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial. Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology. 2004

Try this healthy smoothie recipe for an afternoon pickup.

Smoothie recipe

soy milk.
2 teaspoons (10 mL) of maca powder.
1 teaspoon (5mL) of camu camu powder.
2 teaspoons (10 mL) of blackstrap molasses.
1 small banana.

Just put the ingredients in the blender and press the button. Vary the quantity of soy milk to your liking. Make sure sure you use a good quality soy milk without canola oil.

The quantity of maca can be increased; it is a vegetable afterall. See Mr Cabbage Head’s article on maca.

Maca is a vegetable grown at high altitude in South America known to improve libido. Camu camu is a fruit grown in South America which is very high in vitamin C. Both are highly nutritious and readily available in powder form. Mr Cabbage Head purchases his maca and camu camu by the kilogram; this is the most economical method. A number of community based co-operatives in South America will ship these herbs and other sustainably grown products to you.

Try this breakfast which is high in nutrients and fibre.

Ingredients:

10g ground flax seeds.
10g ground pumpkin seeds
10g ground sunflower seeds
10g chopped walnuts
10g chopped cashew nuts
10g psyllium husks

The flax seeds can be purchased ground, make sure they are refrigerated at the point of purchase. The pumpkin and sunflower seeds can be ground in a coffee grinder. Everything must be raw and unsalted.

Mix the ingredients in a bowl and add soy milk or water to make a consistency to your liking. This is a filling meal, so allow time to sit down and eat in a relaxed manner.

The quantities can be varied according to your needs. If you are still hungry afterwards then you need to increase the quantities.