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, 05:49, 4 November 2007
[[Image:Rosa canina hips.jpg|thumb|right|[[Dog Rose]] showing the bright red hips]]
[[Image:Rose hip.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Wild rose hip of unknown species]]
The '''rose hip''', also called the '''rose haw''', is the [[pome|pomaceous]] [[fruit]] of the [[rose]] plant. It is typically red to orange but may be dark purple to black in some species.
Rose hips of some species, especially ''[[Rosa canina]]'' (Dog Rose), have been used as a source of [[Vitamin C]]. Rose hips are commonly used as an [[herbal tea]], often blended with [[hibiscus]] and as an [[Vegetable oil|oil]]. They can also be used to make [[jam]], [[Jelly (fruit preserves)|jelly]] and [[marmalade]]. Rose hip [[soup]] is especially popular in [[Sweden]]. ''[[Rhodomel]]'', a type of [[mead]], is made with rose hips.
==Health benefits==
*Particularly high in [[Vitamin C]], with about 1700–2000 mg per 100 g in the dried product, one of the richest plant sources.
*Rose hips contain vitamins A, D and E, [[essential fatty acids]] and [[antioxidant]] [[flavonoid]]s.
*Rose hip powder is a remedy for [[rheumatoid arthritis]].
*As an [[herbalism|herbal]] remedy, rose hips are attributed with the ability to prevent [[urinary bladder]] infections, and assist in treating dizziness and headaches{{Fact|date=October 2007}}. Rose hips are also commonly used externally in oil form to restore firmness to skin by nourishing and astringing tissue.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}
*Brewed into a concoction, can also be used to treat constipation.
*Rose hips contain a lot of iron, so some women brew rose hip tea during menstruation to make up for the iron that they lose with the blood.
==Usage==
Rose hips are used for the creation of [[herbal tea]], [[jam]], [[Jelly (fruit preserves)|jelly]], [[syrup]], [[beverage]]s, [[pie]]s, [[bread]] and [[marmalade]], amongst others.
A few rose species are sometimes grown for the ornamental value of their hips; such as [[Rosa moyesii]], which has prominent large red bottle-shaped fruits.
Rose hips have recently become popular as a healthy treat for pet [[chinchillas]]. Chinchillas are unable to manufacture their own Vitamin C, but lack the proper internal organs to process a variety of foods. Rose Hips provide a sugar free, safe way to increase the Vitamin C intake of chinchillas.
The fine hairs found inside rose hips can be used as [[itching powder]].
Roses may be propagated from hips by removing the seeds from the aril (the outer coating) and sowing just beneath the surface of the soil. Placed in a cold frame or a greenhouse, the seeds take at least three months to germinate.
===By indigenous people===
Rose hips were used in many food preparations by [[indigenous peoples of the Americas]].
Rose hips are used for [[Common cold|colds]] and [[influenza]]. The Latin binomial for this herb is ''Rosa Laevigata''
==See also==
*[[Rose hip seed oil]]
==External links==
{{commonscat|Rose hip}}
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6763017.stm BBC News: Rose-hip 'remedy' for arthritis]
*[http://www.indianspringherbs.com/rosehips.htm Rose hips recipes]
*[http://www.bodybuildingforyou.com/articles-submit/michael-brooks/rose-hips.htm Rose hip recipes 2]
[[Category:Roses]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Herbal tea]]