Rosehip: the vitamin bomb

This month, we invite you to take a break in the heart of nature… or almost. Imagine a rosebush straight out of an old fairy tale, covered in delicate little pink flowers or plump red berries in autumn: this is the dog rose, also known as the wild rose or musk rose. But don't let its floral poetry fool you: this robust plant is a true powerhouse of vitality, the kind that awakens the body like a deep breath of fresh air on a spring morning.

An extraordinary vitamin-rich experience

Did you know that rosehips – called dog rose berries – contain up to 100 times more vitamin C than apples and 10 times more than blackcurrants? With nearly 600 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, these little red berries are true nutritional powerhouses.

Three fruits are enough to meet your daily vitamin C needs. And with them, you do much more than just ward off a minor cold: you actively support your immune system while giving your skin a healthy glow. Because yes, vitamin C doesn't just provide energy; it also helps slow the signs of aging, brighten your complexion, and improve skin firmness.

A head-to-toe wellness ally

Beyond its richness in vitamins, the rosehip is also:

1. Energizing : Perfect for periods of fatigue, seasonal changes, or after convalescence. It gives you a boost without having to resort to coffee.
2. Mild cleansing and diuretic : It promotes the elimination of toxins, particularly useful in cases of overly rich diet or water retention.
3. Gentle calming : Some traditions use it to soothe nerves, support good sleep, or cope with mental exhaustion.
4. Digestive protector : The leaves and the more discreet roots are sometimes used against simple diarrhea and mild intestinal disorders.
   

And for the more poetic among you, know that water obtained from rosehip petals is said to soothe irritated eyes… while leaving a sweet floral scent.

How can we benefit from its advantages?

• As an herbal tea : Crush a tablespoon of dried fruit (in a mortar if possible), pour over a cup of hot water, let it steep for 15 minutes, strain… and enjoy! Drink three times a day, especially in cases of fatigue, anemia or low energy.

Tip for preserving maximum vitamin C : make a cold infusion. Use the same amount of water and herbs as for a regular infusion, but without heating the water. Don't place the rosehips in a tea infuser: leave them loose in the cold water. Cover, refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight, then strain. Drink it cold or slightly warmed: a gentle and effective way to fully enjoy the benefits of rosehips.

• As juice or syrup : If you can find it, rosehip juice or syrup is an excellent way to quickly boost your vitamin intake. And yes, just three small fruits already cover your daily vitamin C needs!

A valuable ally for children : Rosehip juice or syrup is often considered one of the healthiest for young children. Thanks to its exceptionally high content of easily absorbed vitamin C, it helps prevent and treat winter infections such as colds and the flu. Regular consumption strengthens the immune system, shortens the duration of illnesses, and restores energy – particularly useful for weakened or convalescent children. It can also promote better sleep, especially for hyperactive children or those prone to nighttime awakenings. It can be diluted in a glass of warm boiled water (1 to 2 tablespoons) or added to a mild herbal tea (linden, elderflower, chamomile). During an epidemic, offer it 1 to 2 times a day, and for prevention, just one glass a day is enough to strengthen their natural defenses.

Try our Rosehip and Ginger Syrup, enriched with vitamin C , for optimal immune support. A delicious ally to boost your natural defenses while adding a flavorful touch to your hot drinks or desserts.

• For external use : For soft and soothed skin, try the petal infusion as a facial lotion, or even as an eye compress (conjunctivitis, swollen eyelids…).

A little herbalist's tip : the earlier in the year you use rosehip as a preventative measure, the better prepared your body will be when virus season arrives.

A homemade recipe: the vitamin bomb against a cold

If you feel your throat starting to get scratchy, fatigue is building up, and the flu is lurking, try this powerful and natural preparation:

Ingredients :

• 1 lemon

• 3 tablespoons of dried, chopped rosehips

• 1 piece of fresh ginger

• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

• 1 tablespoon of dried elderflowers

• 1 tablespoon of dried linden flowers

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

• 1 glass of liquid honey

Preparation :

1. Prepare the lemon: Scald it, then cut it into thin slices.

2. Chop the ingredients: Finely chop the rosehips and ginger.

3. Mix the ingredients: In a bowl, combine the rosehips, ginger, dried herbs and cinnamon with the honey.

4. Layer in a jar: Pour a little honey into the bottom of a jar. Then add the lemon slices, covering them with honey with each layer.

5. Let it macerate: Close the jar and let it macerate for 2 to 3 days, until the lemon releases its juice and the plants gently infuse the honey.

6. Quick use: Even before the end of maceration, you can already enjoy the benefits by adding a teaspoon to a hot herbal tea for an immediate effect.

A plant to rediscover

Long used in the countryside, sometimes forgotten in our modern routines, the rosehip deserves to reclaim its place in our cups, our herbal tea cabinets, and our homemade beauty recipes . It is a simple, beautiful, accessible, and surprisingly versatile plant. And as is often the case with medicinal plants, their true richness lies hidden in their apparent modesty.

Sources:

• Herbs for Spring: Plant-based potions against allergies, stress and lack of energy, Julia Wizowska.
• Life and Health Encyclopedia, Guide to Medicinal Plants , Dr. G. Pamplona-Roger.
• The magic of Polish herbs: health, immunity, beauty. Discover the vital power of herbs, by Patrycja Machałek.
• Herbs for Children's Health , Zbigniew T. Nowak.

Under no circumstances should the information and advice offered on the MerveilleNature website be considered a substitute for a consultation or diagnosis made by a doctor or healthcare professional, who are the only ones able to properly assess your state of health.