Autumn Elixir-Rose Hip

As evening are drawing in, temperature has gradually dropping, autumn has sets in. There are things to enjoy in autumn-I mean simple things that just make the day. Me and Alge went rose hip picking near our work place. Rose hip are the berry-like fruits of the rose bush left behind after the bloom has died. They are typically red or orange, but may also be dark purple to black in some species. Although nearly all rose bushes produce rose hips, the tastiest for eating purposes come from the Rugusa Rose. Rose hips have a tangy, fruity flavor similar to that of cranberries. Each hip comprises an outer fleshy layer which may contain up to 150 seeds embedded in a matrix of fine hairs. The irritating hairs should be removed before using the rose hips in a recipe.

The red hips are in abundance at the moment, what a joy. I decided to use it for making rose hip syrup, a remedy to ward off cold/flu as it's high in Vitamin C. Homemade elixir, full of goodness. Two years ago, Alge made the syrup and gave me a bottle. So this year I decided to make and gave Alge a bottle too. I used the recipes from here.

Rose hip has excellent natural source of vitamin C, rose hips have been used for centuries as a medicinal herbal remedy in teas, syrups and tinctures. During World War II, under instruction from the Ministry of Health, British school children were given the job of collecting rose hips from hedgerows to make into a vitamin C-rich rose hip syrup, and replace the imported oranges that were no longer able to land in the United Kingdom.

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a vitamin absolutely necessary for the body to remain in good health as it not only acts as an antioxidant and protects the body against free radicals, it protects against infection, helps with wound repair and promotes healthy cell development. However, since ascorbic acid is a water soluble vitamin it is not manufactured by the body and therefore has to be ingested.
Rose hips are thought to be richer in vitamin C than many citrus fruits hence their traditional use in teas and syrups. However, vitamin C is not the only vitamin that rose hips contain and it is certainly not the most important one in Rose Hip Oil. Vitamin C is largely found in the shell of the rose hip and it is the shell that is used in teas, jams and syrups. The seed of the rose hip contains a host of other essential vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids which make Rose Hip Oil an altogether amazing natural ingredient.

Crysanthemum in my garden has started to bloom nicely, indicating autumn is here.