Swamp Rose(Rosa palustris)
Other Names:
Rose haw, rose hep
Range:
Family:
Rosaceae - Rose Family
Growth Type:
Perennial woody shrub
Height:
Can be up to 3-7 feet tall
Leaves:
Compound leaves arranged alternately along woody stem. Each leaf typically contains 5 or more ovate leaflets with serrated margins. the individual leaflets are tpically 1 to 2 inches long and 1/2 to 1 inch wide. The leaves are dark green on top, and pale green on the underside.
Stem/Trunk:
The woody stems are erect, or arching. They are light green, reddish green, dark red, or brown. Curved thorns occur along the stems, individually or in pairs. The thorns are usually about 1/4" ini length.
Root:
Woody rhizome
Flower Season:
Summer
Flower Appearance:
Pink 5 petaled flowers with 5 sepals, and multiple yellow stamens. The flowers are typically 1 to 3 inches across.
Seed/Fruit:
Rose hips appear in mid-summer, and often persist through the winter. They are typically 1/2" wide and 1" long. Rose hips turn red as they ripen.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A
Habitat:
Preferring sandy marsh lands, also along riverbeds, and ditches
Parts Used:
Rose hips
Culinary Uses:
The rose hips can be eaten raw, although they are more palatable when cooked. They can be used to make herbal teas, jam, jelly, syrup, rose hip soup, beverages, pies, bread, wine, and marmalade.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Sour
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Uses:
Rose hips contain higher levels of vitamin C than any other plant source. This makes them extremely useful at shoring up the immune system to fight off colds and flu.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Herbal Preparations For Plant
Tea
Part Used: Rose hips
Plant State: Fresh or dried
Place 2 tsp of fresh chopped rose hips, or 1 tsp of dried rose hips in a large mug. Pour almost boiling water over the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment.
Dosage: 1 mug as needed
Infusion
Part Used: Rose hips
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped rose hips into a quart mason jar and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed
Tincture
Part Used: Rose hips
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh rose hips, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar and shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 45-90 drops up to 4 times daily as needed
