Rosehip, properties of this nutritious berry

The dog rose is a very ancient species of thorny shrub, belonging to the family of Rosaceae , and grows spontaneously in many parts of the world.

Its berries are a concentrate of nutrients , widely used in cooking and now increasingly appreciated for the beneficial properties it possesses.

The plant

Rosa Canina belongs to the species of wild roses, in fact, it grows spontaneously in the countryside, on hills and even in the mountains.

Also called “wild rose” Due to its ability to germinate in the most inaccessible places, it prefers clayey soils and a sunny environment.

The dog rose plant is a shrub with a bush-like shape, perennial and deciduous, so the leaves fall in winter, it grows up to 2-3 meters in height and is made up of woody twigs that have small red thorns.

The flowers, very simple, have five petals whose color can vary from white to fuchsia to pale pink. They are not very fragrant and bloom around May until July.

At the end of summer, the ovoid-shaped berries appear, with a bright, shiny red-orange colour.

Generally, rosehip berries are harvested after ripening, in autumn-winter.

These berries, also called Rosehips , are the false fruit of the plant, they have a bright red color and a fleshy consistency. The berry is edible but has a rather sour taste.

While the yellow seeds covered with thick and fine hairs contained in it, namely the achenes , are the true fruit.

The properties of dog rose

According to the ministerial guidelines of reference for the physiological effects present in the list Belfrit , which regulates the use of herbal substances and preparations in food supplements (updated with Decree 9 January 2019), has these characteristics:

• Antioxidant properties

• Supportive and restorative action

• Helps regularity of the intestinal tract

But what makes the dog rose very special is presence of Vitamin C. Not only for the notable quantity, but also because it is found in a form that is easily assimilated by our organism.

In fact, the dog rose has immunomodulatory properties due to the presence of Vitamin C which is also very useful in case of iron deficiency, because this vitamin increases its bioavailability and allows for better absorption of the iron contained in foods.

How to take rose hips?

As we have already said before, rose hips, or dog roses, are edible, but the fresh ones have a sour and unappetizing taste.

It is now widespread on the market in the form of powder or supplements or as an ingredient in food products , such as jams or herbal teas.

Its flavour is slightly sour, very similar to that of citrus fruits, and fruity.

The powder can be added to smoothies or breakfast drinks, making it easy and enjoyable to consume. Or it can be used in sweet recipes, such as cakes or cookies.

How to choose the best Rosehip powder?

Before purchasing rose hip berries, you need to pay attention to some important characteristics in choosing the right product.

Powdering is one of the best ways to consume this precious food but you need to make sure that the berries come from organic farming and have a high nutritional content. Therefore, it is essential to read the product label carefully.

The processing method is also very important, a low temperature processing It allows you to preserve all the nutrients intact and maintain high levels of Vitamin C.

Finally, also the coloring of the powder is an important criterion for choosing a quality product. In fact, rosehip powder can be found in different colors, more tending to yellow or darker and depends on the quantity of peel, pulp and seeds that are ground together.

The more yellow color depends on a higher percentage of seeds in the powder. Instead, a darker powder means a balanced composition of pulp, peel and seeds, which is typical when the whole berry is ground.

Our dog rose it is raw, comes from organic cultivation and appears as a dark ochre colored powder, this means that inside it there is a balanced ratio of pulp and peel (about 60%) and seeds (approximately 40%), thus ensuring a greater nutritional intake.

Contraindications

The dog rose is considered a safe plant .

Mild side effects may occur following excessive intake of rose hips.

In fact, due to its high vitamin C content, rose hips can cause some gastrointestinal symptoms.

Also due to the presence of vitamin C, it can interfere with the intake of some medications, such as antacids or antidepressants containing lithium.

Therefore, it is always advisable, in the presence of pathologies, pharmacological treatments, pregnancy or breastfeeding, ask a doctor's opinion before introducing rosehip powder into your diet.