Key Takeaways
Roses are one of the most captivating plants cultivated in gardens. Their beauty and strong scent make them alluring. They are also highly valued for their beneficial properties. They have been successfully utilized in cosmetics as an ingredient in perfumes, masks and creams. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the fruits of the wild rose, which are attributed with significant health-promoting attributes and antioxidant properties. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at the wild rose and discovering its unique advantages.
Distinctive features of the wild rose - a species from the rose family
The rose is a particularly popular cultivated plant. Its appearance and fragrance of the flowers make it grown almost worldwide. The rose family is also valued for its medicinal properties. The wild rose (Rosa canina L.) is a thorny shrub that can reach a height of up to 3 meters. Its elliptical-shaped leaves are relatively stiff and have serrated edges. The flowers of the wild rose are light pink and grow singly or in small clusters. However, the most valuable part of the wild rose are its fruits. They have a spindle-shaped form, a length of about 2–3 cm and an intense orange-red color. The fruits ripen in the fall and are ready for harvesting in October and November. To extend their shelf life, double drying is applied and small seeds and threads found inside are removed.
The wild rose – nutritional values
Wild rose fruits are one of the best natural sources of vitamin C. They contain different amounts of it, depending on the species, variety, harvest condition, and the type of technological processes used in processing. The most vitamin C is found in raw fruits, but due to their instability, they are used relatively rarely. Much more popular are wild rose fruits that have been dried once. Some species can contain up to 12% L-ascorbic acid, with an average of about 2-3% dry weight. Compared to other fruits, the wild rose contains 10 times more vitamin C than black currant and up to 100 times more than apples. It has been calculated that just three wild rose fruits can cover our daily requirement for this vitamin. Wild rose fruits also contain vitamins from the B group (such as B1, B2, B3), as well as vitamins A, E, and K. As for other nutrients, wild rose also contains essential oils and macroelements (K, P, Ca, Mg) as well as microelements (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn). However, it is important not to store dried wild rose fruits for too long, as the nutritional value of the fruits decreases significantly over time.
Wild Roses - Health Properties and Application
Due to the unmatched quantity of ascorbic acid found in wild rose fruits, they are primarily attributed with properties that strengthen the immune system's functioning. They stimulate its action and prevent the occurrence of colds and flu. This is particularly important to consider during the autumn-winter period when our immunity decreases, and we are especially vulnerable to attacks from viruses and bacteria. Wild rose fruits also support the work of the circulatory system. The vitamin C contained within them aids in strengthening the walls of arteries and preventing the bursting of capillaries. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that vitamin C supports the absorption of iron from the digestive system, which contributes to maintaining the hemoglobin level in the blood and preventing the development of anemia. Wild rose fruits are also attributed to having a strong antioxidant effect, which is the result of the complex interaction of antioxidants and naturally occurring flavonoids in the fruit. Wild roses also contain a substance called galactolipid (GOPO), which has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It lowers the level of inflammatory proteins (CRP) and decreases the level of creatinine in the blood plasma, which is particularly significant in cases of inflammation in the body. It has also been demonstrated that the use of GOPO improves joint mobility and alleviates pain in individuals with RZS.
Wild roses - recipes for preserves
Nowadays, few people engage in preparing wild rose products in their kitchen. Ready-made products purchased in stores and pharmacies are much more popular. However, it is worth noting that prepared foods often have many other artificial additives in their composition besides wild rose fruit, which negatively affect the quality of products. Preparing wild rose preserves is a time-consuming activity and requires patience. The fruits of wild roses have little flesh from which one can obtain juice, jam, or syrup. However, the high nutritional value and taste of self-prepared preserves cannot be questioned. Although most of them contain large amounts of sugar, the health benefits that we can derive from them are enormous. If you want to try making some such products at home, we have some simple recipes for you.
It's a sophisticated wild rose syrup
Ingredients: 500 g of wild rose fruit, freed from seeds, 250 g of xylitol, juice of half a lemon, 5 cloves, 2 grains of English green, 1 litre of water that has been boiled. The fruit, after removing the seeds, is cooked in water with cloves and English herb until it becomes soft. When the fruit is lightly cooked, the juice must be transferred to another container using a sieve. The fruits that remain in the sieve are crushed and mixed with the water in which they were cooked, without forgetting to remove the roots of the spices. We add lemon juice. The finished syrup is poured into small bottles or jars, carefully closed and pasteurized. The resulting product can be stored all winter and opened during a cold or flu.
Outstanding jam made of wild rose petals
Ingredients:
– 250 g of wild rose petals,
– 350 g of white sugar,
– 1 glass of water,
– 1 tablespoon of lemon juice,
– a couple of teaspoons of spirit juice.
Creating jam from rose petals is significantly more time-consuming than creating syrup, but its taste is outstanding. If we have time and fresh wild rose petals, let's not hesitate!
The first step is removing the white, hard ends of the rose petals, which are ineffectual and can spoil the flavor of the jam. The petals are then poured over boiling water to get rid of impurities and bacteria. After draining the water from the petals, we squeeze into them the juice of a lemon. Set it aside. The next step is to cook the syrup in a pot – we need a glass of water and all of the sugar for this. When the sugar is completely dissolved, add the drained rose petals. Stir thoroughly and set aside for 24 hours in a cool place. The next day, cook the contents of the pot again until the petals become slightly transparent. Pour the finished jam into clean and sterilized jars. Before closing, add a teaspoon of 96% spirit to each jar. This step is very important, as it protects our preserves from spoilage.
Wild rose, although it is very common, turns out to be a very demanding product. Making preserves from it requires a significant commitment and time. The health benefits we can derive from wild rose are enormous. Wild rose is a component that is worth introducing into our diet not only in the autumn-winter season. Huge doses of vitamin C and other antioxidants will certainly contribute to improving our well-being throughout the year. Therefore, we can reach for wild rose preserves also for preventive purposes, but let's remember to consume homemade products in a reasonable and moderate way, as they are a treasure trove of health, but unfortunately also a source of calories.
