Wild Rose Fruits - A Natural Treasure for Health

The wild rose, also known as Rosa canina, is a thorny shrub belonging to the family Rosaceae. It is a collective species that encompasses many slightly different subspecies. It can reach a height of up to 3 meters. Its branches are arched, with sharp, downward-pointing thorns and sharply serrated leaves. The flowers of the wild rose are beautifully scented, large and have a white, pink or red color. They bloom from May to July and their fruits differ in shape and color. The wild rose grows almost everywhere in Europe and Asia as well as in North Africa, most often in sunny locations. It is also known as dog rose because it was used in the past to treat rabies. Its other folk name is dog rose. The wild rose also has medicinal properties and its fruits are most commonly used for medicinal purposes. The fruits of the wild rose should be harvested best from August to October. The bushes should be sought in places away from urban pollution. Fruits that are dried for too long or at too high a temperature have a low or minimal content of vitamin C. Fresh fruits of the wild rose can be used to make jams and juices, while dried fruits can be used to brew teas, liqueurs or herbal teas. The wild rose can also be consumed as a dietary supplement - in the form of capsules, tablets or powder.

The fruits of the wild rose are abundant in vitamin C, containing approximately 30-40 times more than citrus fruits and 10 times more than blackcurrants. In 100 g of fruits, there is as much as 1250 mg of vitamin C, and already 3 wild rose fruits cover the daily requirement for this vitamin in adults. The highest amounts of ascorbic acid are found in fresh fruits, however, those that are properly dried are also a good source. This unassuming fruit is truly full of vitamins – it is also a source of vitamin A, E and K as well as vitamins of group B. Furthermore, it contains carotenoids (lycopene and lutein) and polyphenols (tannins, anthocyanins or flavonoids), as well as phenolic acids, including ellagic acid with anticancer properties. Moreover, the wild rose is also a source of sugars, minerals, organic acids and essential oil.

Different varieties of this plant have been present for many years in culture, art, literature, and medicine, as well as in the production of oils, perfumes, confections, and medicines. They were valued in antiquity. In Egyptian mythology, they were dedicated to the goddess of fertility, Isis, while in Greece, the rose is the symbol of Aphrodite. Greek physicians preferred wild roses to those grown in gardens. The plant was used for the production of oils, perfume, confections, and medicine. During World War II, its high content of vitamin C was also valued and used to treat scurvy (a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C). The fruits of the wild rose have a general strengthening, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory effect. Plant extracts can improve well-being and help with fatigue and stress, as well as strengthen the immune system against infections. The high vitamin C content improves iron absorption. Thanks to the presence of antioxidants, the wild rose can help in the treatment of cancer. The extract from the fruits helps prevent the formation of kidney stones - it lowers the calcium level in the kidneys and urine, reduces the size and number of uric acid stones, and increases the excretion of citrates. It also has diuretic and antispasmodic properties, as well as anti-inflammatory properties, so that supplementation may be beneficial in cases of rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative joint diseases. In addition, the wild rose helps in the regeneration of joint cartilage and has an analgesic effect. The plant extract also has an anti-diarrheal effect, which is due to the presence of saponins and flavonoids. The fruits are a component of many herbal mixtures, such as vitamin or heart-strengthening mixtures. An oil is also produced from them - rapeseed oil, which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin C, carotenoids, and mineral salts. The oil is used for the treatment of skin inflammations, poorly healing wounds, or burns. It is also a component of cosmetics - it regenerates damaged hair, strengthens the skin, and slows down the aging process.