A handful of rosehip berries from vitamin deficiency: useful properties and contraindications of fruits

In early autumn, rose hips begin to ripen, the benefits of which are beyond doubt among doctors and traditional healers. These are real vitamin “bombs”. It is difficult to find berries that would be superior in terms of chemical composition to those grown on a pink shrub. However, any - even the most valuable - product can harm the body if used improperly. Let's figure out how rosehip is useful and how to properly take it.

Natural diversity

Rosehip is a small shrub of the Pink family. In literature, it is often called a rose. Until now, botanists have not decided on the exact number of species of this plant. Some have up to 400 rose hips, others from 300 to 500. Different types differ greatly in the content of vitamins, minerals and organic acids.

The plant is widespread in regions with a temperate and subtropical climate.

In Central Europe, in particular in Russia and other countries of the former USSR, the following varieties are usually used for medical purposes:

• Rosehip May (Rosa majalis)

The most common type. The shrub reaches 2 meters in height, has thin shiny branches with spikes bent down. Fruits are red or bright orange with sepals. They are characterized by a high content of beta-carotene in the pulp and vitamin E in the seeds.

• Dogrose (Rosa canina)

Shrub with lots of thorns, thick shoots and bright orange oblong fruits. From the young leaves of the plant, a surrogate of tea is obtained, and from the seeds, a surrogate of coffee. The vitamin composition of the fruit is not as diverse as that of Rosa majalis. However, Rosa canina has an excellent choleretic effect. Pharmaceutical plants get water infusion from the fruits, which is part of the Holosas preparation. The latter is used to treat cholecystitis, hepatitis and other liver diseases.

• Begger Rosehip (Rosa beggeriana)

A very beautiful plant with white flowers that prefers to grow in regions with a warm climate. Among all types of wild rose, it is considered the leader in the content of vitamin C. The concentration of the substance in fresh fruits is 7–20%.

• Rosehip needle (Rosa acicularis)

Spiked rosehips are widespread in regions with a cool climate, and also take root in the mountains. It has arched shoots, very thin thorns and pink-purple flowers. Fruits contain up to 1.5% vitamin C, are rich in iron and flavonoids. Petals have a high concentration of essential oil and, due to their pleasant taste, are often used for eating raw. A decoction of the roots of Rosa acicularis in Yakut folk medicine has long been given to patients with dysentery.

The chemical composition of different parts of rose hips

All parts of rose hips are suitable for medicinal use. Further in the article, we consider what beneficial substances are included in the composition of fruits, leaves, flowers, branches and roots of a plant.

Fruit

The maximum amount of vitamins is concentrated in rose hips. The table below lists the substances that are present in Rosa majalis.

Table 1.Vitamins in May Rose Hips

Name of substance	% of the daily requirement in 100 g of fresh fruit	Beneficial features
Vitamin A and Beta Carotene	48% and 52% respectively	They protect the body from malignant neoplasms, improve retinal nutrition, and have a positive effect on skin condition and reproductive function.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)	0.16	Participates in the production of adrenal hormones and blood antibodies that strengthen the immune system. Reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol, contributes to weight loss due to the normalization of metabolism.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)	7.22	It prevents cancer, protects the body from viral and bacterial infections, strengthens blood vessels, eliminates the effects of alcohol intoxication.
Vitamin E	0.11	It slows down the aging process of the body, positively affects the condition of the skin and hair, accelerates tissue regeneration, and prevents chronic fatigue syndrome.
Vitamin K	0.216	Increases blood coagulability, facilitates the condition of women with painful menstruation, helps the body properly absorb calcium.
Vitamin PP (nicotinic acid)	0.035	Reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol, prevents migraines, is involved in the production of a number of hormones and improves liver function.

Also, macronutrients potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and phosphorus were found in May rose hips. Of the trace elements, iron predominates (7% of the daily norm in 100 g). This substance is required to maintain the health of the thyroid gland, helps with anemia and nervous exhaustion of the body.

Leaves

Rosehip leaves are used to make a medicinal decoction or tea. They are rich in vitamin C, flavonoids and tannins.

Petals

The highest content of essential oil in rosehip petals is 0.02–0.06%, depending on the botanical type of plant. It has an astringent, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Also in the rosehip petals there is a flavonoid quercetin, which has high antioxidant activity. This substance slows down the aging process and protects a person from cancer.

Roots, branches

Roots and branches are rich in tannins. These parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes in dried ground form.

The use of rose hips for medicinal purposes

Rosehip is a medicinal raw material for many pharmacy products and folk remedies. It is used both for the prevention of chronic diseases, and for the treatment of certain ailments. Consider what exactly is the use of a plant for the body.

Strengthening immunity in the cold season

The best remedy for the prevention of acute respiratory infections is a decoction of rose hips. The drink is rich in vitamins A, C and E, as well as flavonoids, which positively affect the immune system.

How to cook a healing broth?

1. Take 3 tbsp. tablespoons dried rosehips, chop.
2. Pour raw materials with a liter of boiling water.
3. Insist liquid in a thermos for 12 hours.
4. Strain the broth. Add honey to taste if desired.

A glass of broth of wild rose can be drunk three times a day, preferably half an hour before a meal.

Prevention of malignant tumors

For this purpose, fresh fruits or rose hips are most suitable. These parts of the plant neutralize the negative effects of free radicals that appear in the body as a result of eating “junk” food or living in an unfavorable environmental situation.

Getting rid of diarrhea

A decoction from the roots of rose hips strengthens the intestines, has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties, removes toxins from the body. Therefore, it is customary to take it with intestinal infections and just to get rid of diarrhea.

How to prepare a remedy? Take 40 g of dried chopped roots, pour a glass of water and boil over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Then insist 5 hours.

Treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, liver, kidneys

Pronounced healing properties are possessed by alcohol tincture from rosehip petals. The main indications for its use are as follows:

• gastritis;
• stomach ulcer;
• duodenitis;
• hepatitis;
• cystitis;
• pyelonephritis;
• urolithiasis disease;
• gum disease, toothache.

To prepare the tincture, pour a glass of dried petals with a liter of vodka and put it in a dark place to insist. After a month, strain and store in the refrigerator. To use the product in diluted form: 30 drops per glass of water.

Wound healing

From the seeds of rose hips get valuable oil, which has regenerative properties. The product contains a large amount of vitamins A and E. Topically applied in the following cases:

• shallow cuts;
• nipple cracks in nursing women;
• burns;
• pressure sores;
• eczema
• trophic ulcers.

In the pharmacy you can buy the drug "Carotolin", the basis of which is rosehip oil. Externally, the drug is taken for diseases of the skin and upper respiratory tract, and inside - with a deficiency of vitamin A in the body.

Harm and contraindications to the use of wild rose

Up to 10 rosehips are sufficient per day. If the dosage is exceeded, you can cause harm to your body, in particular, overdose of fat-soluble vitamins A and K. This is fraught with the following side effects:

• nausea, vomiting;
• dryness, itching and peeling of the skin;
• enhanced hair loss;
• headache;
• blood clotting;
• subcutaneous hemorrhage.

In pregnant women, an overdose of vitamin A can cause fetal abnormalities. Therefore, during pregnancy, you should use the product carefully - and preferably after consulting a doctor.

Rose hips contain a large amount of acids and sugars, therefore, have the following contraindications:

• gastritis, ulcer;
• increased acidity of gastric juice;
• diabetes;
• pancreatitis

Decoctions from the leaves, roots and branches of the plant can not be taken with blood coagulation disorders, the presence of blood clots. And alcohol tincture of the petals is contraindicated at high pressure.

What can be prepared from rose hips?

Rose hips are not only medicinal raw materials, but also a natural delicacy. They make juices, compotes, kvass, jam, jams, marmalade, fruit candy, alcohol drinks.

Freshly eaten large berries of garden varieties "Jubilee", "Oval", "Apple", because they contain a lot of sugars.

If you want to make a delicious dessert from wild rose, use one of the recipes below.

Rosehip jam

You will need 200 g of rose hips, water and a glass of sugar:

1. After removing the sepals from the fruits, rinse them. Transfer to the pan.
2. Pour water so that it covers the berries by 3 cm.
3. Put on the stove, bring to a boil.
4. Cook over medium heat until the fruit softens, periodically removing the foam.
5. Crush the berries, drop them into a colander and let the liquid drain.
6. Wipe the cake through a sieve to get rid of the bones and skin. You will get a homogeneous mass.
7. Pour a glass of sugar into it and pour 3 tbsp. tablespoons of water.
8. Put the mixture on the fire and cook until it thickens.
9. Pour the mashed potatoes into a sterilized jar and roll up.

Rosehip jam

To make jam, you will need 0.5 kg of fresh berries and 1 kg of sugar.

1. Rinse the fruits, cut in half, remove the seeds and sepals.
2. Transfer to a pan and fill with water. Bring to a boil.
3. Strain the berries and drop them in a colander.
4. Mix the remaining liquid with sugar and put on fire. Bring to a boil.
5. Pour the fruits and cook until a thick consistency is obtained.
6. At the end of cooking, add a little lemon juice to the mixture (to taste), mix.
7. Pour the rosehip jam into sterilized jars and roll it up.

Thus, rose hip is a natural vitamin-mineral complex.Useful substances from it are perfectly absorbed, strengthen the body, prevent chronic diseases and a bad mood. The highest value for the health of most people are fruits and petals due to their rich chemical composition. The main thing is not to abuse drinks and medicines based on rose hips so as not to face an overdose of vitamins.