The Benefits of Rose Hip Syrup

A couple of decades ago it was the norm to give children a spoon of rose hip syrup to top up their vitamin levels and ward off colds. Then, almost overnight rose hip syrup vanished from the shelves due to the outcry that it was too sweet and damaging children’s teeth.

Admittedly it is sweet, very sweet, but the damage came from ill informed parents dipping pacifiers into the concentrated juice to soothe their little ones off to sleep.

Now, years later rose hip syrup re-appeared on pharmacy shelves. It was re-branded and was not as you would expect in the childrens or vitamin sections of the pharmacy. No, it was in with the highly expensive supplements section lauded as a major step forward in the treatment of arthritis.

The price of a small bottle of rose hip syrup has rocketed, almost a 1,000% increase now it is a ‘cure’ for something that affects so many. Big Pharma strikes again.

This has given birth to a plethora of preparations, many of them tablets stating that they ease the pain of arthritis. Most of these things have no effect at all as there is little of the active ingredients left. Fresh, unadulterated rose hip syrup on the other hand has a good deal going for it.

Personal experience and the trying of dozens of products tells me that rose hip syrup eases arthritis pain. For me at least. In addition, it still provides a decent vitamin boost for the young, the old, the infirm and anyone in between.

Making your own rose hip syrup is by far the cheapest way to secure your supply. Its simple and tastes great as well as having the benefit of no additives or fillers put into it.

As well as vitamin C, rose hip syrup provides a welcome boost of vitamin D, something that should be welcomed when our exposure to sunlight is minimal and our vitamin D manufacture is at its lowest. Vitamin A is naturally present in the hips so pregnant women should seek medical advice before taking rose hip syrup. Although a single spoon is unlikely to cause damage if the pregnant woman is already eating a diet high in vitamin A problems could occur.

Excessive vitamin A during pregnancy can cause blindness in the baby. There is a small amount of calcium and bioflavonoids that all become bioavailable when the hips are prepared as a syrup.

Any rose hips can be used, including those from wild briar roses in hedgerows. Wait until the hips are softened by the first frosts and the process is quicker and easier.

Take Care

Liz