I have used many roses as medicine. Often, I will sample a hip or petal to assess whether I’d like to collect it. I generally prefer wild or heirloom species for medicinal purposes. Never use roses from a florist as they usually have unwanted chemicals on them. The flowers when in bloom, can be used fresh or dried. Rose hips are best harvested when deep red in late summer and through the winter.

Rose hips are chocked full of beneficial constituents. They contain: tannins, invert sugars, pectin, malic acid, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), calcium, flavonoids and so much more!