Rosehips Rosa canina

Botanical Information

Common Names: Rosehips, Dog Rose Fruit

Botanical Name: Rosa canina

Family: Rosaceae

Description: The bright red to orange fruits of the wild dog rose. Rosehips are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and nourishing properties that strengthen immunity, soothe inflammation, and uplift the spirit.

History & Tradition

• Gathered as a winter vitamin source in European folk tradition.
• Used to soothe digestive inflammation and support immunity.
• Symbol of hope and vitality through the cold, dark seasons.

Cultivation & Parts Used

Parts Used: Fruit (hips), deseeded before use.

Growing Conditions: Thrives in hedgerows, woodland edges, and poor soils.

Collection: Harvested after first frost when hips soften and sweeten.

Doctrine of Signatures

The vivid red fruits in the darkness of late autumn reflect vitality, nourishment, and immune resilience during hardship or depletion.

Medicinal & Energetic Properties

Constituents

Vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids, pectin, organic acids, fatty acids (in seeds).

Actions

Nutritive • Anti-inflammatory • Immune-supportive • Astringent • Cooling.

Taste & Energetics

Taste: Tart, sweet, mildly astringent

Energetics: Cooling • Moistening • Nourishing

Tissue States: Hot • Dry • Inflamed • Weak

Internal Uses

• Immune support during cold seasons.
• Joint inflammation and mild arthritic discomfort.
• Digestive soothing for inflamed tissues.
• General nourishment and vitality building.

Topical Uses

Seed oils used in skincare for regeneration and reducing scarring.

Combinations

• With Hibiscus for vitamin C–rich cooling blends.
• With Elderberry for winter immunity.

Homeopathic Remedy

Rosa canina for mild digestive disturbances and inflammatory states.

Flower Essence

Encourages hope, vitality, and emotional renewal.

Essential Oil

No essential oil; rosehip seed oil is pressed and valued in skincare.

Culinary Use

Used in jams, teas, syrups, oxymels, and herbal powders.

Safety Notes

• Remove fine seed hairs; they are irritating.
• Generally very safe.

This information is educational and not a substitute for medical advice.

Spiritual & Ritual Uses

Represents hope, renewal, and protection during dark seasons. A charm of endurance.

Astroherbalism

Planetary Rulership: Sun and Venus

Zodiac: Leo, Libra

Signature: Bright red winter fruit symbolizing vitality and nourishment.

Chakra Correspondence

Heart & Solar Plexus: Vitality, hope, nourishment.

Cosmic Ray

Pink–Gold Ray: Hope, nourishment, gentle resilience.

Alchemy & Spagyrics

Salt (Body): Nourishes tissues and reduces inflammation.

Sulfur (Soul): Radiance, hope, emotional warmth.

Mercury (Spirit): Gentle upward movement of vitality and brightness.

Spagyric Purpose: To nourish, soothe, and restore vitality.

Magical & Spiritual Properties

Vitality • Hope • Protection • Nourishment • Renewal

Tarot Correspondence

Strength (gentle aspect): Hope, heart-based resilience, gentle courage.

Keywords: Vitamin C • Nourishing • Cooling • Anti-inflammatory