In this edition of HH101 the importance of rose hips to human health are explored in response to a natural disaster
Many times we are reminded by mother nature how destructive that she can be. However, when a natural disaster strikes in the magnitude of their being no available food supply how would a person take care of him/herself? We have witnessed situations right here in the United States (i.e Hurricane Katrina, most recently Hurricane Sandy, and the water contamination currently happening in West Virginia) that left many people hungry, out of doors, and in severe cases, dead are reminders of how serious a natural disaster can be.
Many of us who live in urban areas are all too familiar with bad weather. Especially nowadays. So in the event of a natural disaster in your neighborhood it is important to know how your areas being devastated could potentially harm your health. One of the most important Vitamins to have in the event of a natural disaster is Vitamin C. Without Vitamin C your body develops scurvy. Scurvy is a disease that occurs when you have a severe lack of vitamin c in your diet. Scurvy causes general weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin hemorrhages according to Medline Plus (A Service of the US National Library of Medicine).
Most people know of the more common sources of vitamin c from food stuffs like; guava, oranges, red sweet pepper, kiwi, green sweet pepper, and strawberries. One of the more not so recognizable sources of vitamin c, especially in the case of a natural disaster and the store runs out of food, is Rose Hips. Cute name right?! Make sure you never forget the name because Rose Hips could potentially save your life.
One of the common myths that many of us are lead to believe is that oranges have the most vitamin c. Although oranges are a very good source of vitamin c they aren’t the number one. According to the Magazine Good House Keeping oragnes aren’t ranked number on the list of foods with the most vitamin c content, guavas are. Vitamin C helps the body maintain healthy tissues and a strong immune system. It also aids in the absorption of iron into the blood stream as well.
According to Good Housekeeping, the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for adult men is 90 mg and for adult women is 75 mg; and also recent research has called into question the efficacy of vitamin c pills. Rose Hips grow naturally in nature and should be looked for in waste areas, roadsides, and rocky soils. The edible part of the plant are its petals, leaves, and the fruit (hips, red or orange). The plant can be gathered during the midsummer for petals and leaves and late summer to early fall for the plants ripe hips.
Fresh rose petals and leaves can be used in a fruit or vegetable salad. Also used as a garnish to provide elegance and extra nutrition, the fresh rose petals can be used for steeping tea as well. The pulp from the flower also can be made into a sauce or jelly. Ripe rose hips are very rich in vitamin c; with each hip containing ten milligrams. They also contain a high amount of carotene (Vitamin A precursor) and Vitamin P (bioflavonoids).
While we try and avoid big hips on our bodies, big hips on a rose can be incredibly attractive.
-Tamara El(@MwiliHakalu)
