Rosehip Powder
Rosehip powder can be bought from tons of different shops, online and on the high street. But why? What’s the benefit and how do you use it?
A health cheat code?
There is a bit of an ongoing theme for me of having stuff in my kitchen cupboards that I bought for a purpose - but what that purpose was, I’m not really sure. It’s always one of two things; I’ve read or heard somewhere that it’s good for you and contains something I want to add more of in my diet, or I’ve learned about some recipe that you can use it for. Usually, it’s both of these reasons. The only problem is, I often forget what the motivation was for buying it before I use it!
Rosehip powder was perhaps a bit like that - and I have had quite a bit of it in my kitchen cupboard now for ages. To be fair, I have been adding a little bit to my bread (maybe 100g or a bit less), and it’s a lovely, fragrant addition - I mean, who doesn’t want their kitchen smelling of both freshly baked bread and roses?!
But I was sure I’d bought it for its amazing health properties. I just couldn’t remember what they actually… were. So today, I’ve been doing some reading. And here’s what I’ve learned!
Rosehip is more than just the ultimate cheat code for the computer game Sims. Why on earth I remember that some 20 years later I have no idea! I just know that if you typed in “rosehip”, you could get more money and build your house bigger and advance in your career faster… I digress! Unless that actually is the benefit of rosehip? (Oh man, can you imagine?!)
Okay so back here in the real world, rosehip, also called the fruit of the rose, because - well - it is, is a round bulb full of seeds on the rose bush. you’re bound to have seen them in gardens and along the side of roads. They are red/orange in colour, and - it turns out - full of amazing health benefits.
The rosehip blooms later than the actual rose, in late autumn. It is the seeds inside the bulb that contain all the great nutrients: lots of Vitamin C and fibre, as well as some vitamin A, B5 and E.
A small study showed that taking rosehip powder can lead to a decrease in wrinkles, which seems to be because of the antioxidants, Vitamin C and fatty acids. Oh my! Anti-aging? This might be why I bought it! But there are other amazing benefits too: it can fight oxidative stress and inflammation, and therefore help reduce arthritis pain, another study on rosehip showed that it can help with fat loss, and it can also lower cholesterol and blood pressure! Now I’m kind of gutted that I’ve used the last bits of the bag and I’m going to buy some more. This is like a real life cheat code!
If you are wanting to add some rosehip to your diet (and why wouldn’t you - if all of the above are true?) - I definitely recommend adding a bit of it to your bread or other baked goods. Maybe it would be nice in a cake, muffin or pancake too? Definitely try some in a smoothie or milkshake, or pop some into a soup! If you have any other ideas on how to use rosehip powder, or if you know of any other amazing benefits, do let me know by messaging me on @thefromscratchbody on Instagram. That’s it - I’m ordering some more.
