Valentine’s Day seems like an appropriate time to discuss Rosehip (Rosa canina) tea. Rose hips are the fruits that remain on the bush after the flowers are gone. Rose hips were called “the Food of the Gods” by the ancient Greeks and regarded as beneficial for a number of health reasons. Rose hips are, indeed, a valuable food source as one of the richest sources of vitamin C, complete with flavenoids.

Because of the abundance of vitamin C and flavenoids, rosehip tea is useful for fighting colds and respiratory infections.  It is also helpful against stomach problems involving inflammation and/or diarrhea with infection or because of food-borne illness, and is a common ingredient in colic remedies. It also has astringent properties and may be used cosmetically, but the rose oil derivatives are more commonly used for cosmetic purposes.