Rosehips: A Herbal Powerhouse for Immunity, Skin & Vitality (+ Recipe for Wild Apple & Rosehip Vinegar)

Rosehips: A Herbal Powerhouse for Immunity, Skin & Vitality (+ Recipe for Wild Apple & Rosehip Vinegar)

Rosehips – the bright red fruits of the wild rose (Rosa canina) – are among nature’s most generous gifts. Ripening in autumn as the flowers fade, they carry the strength of summer into the colder months. For centuries across Europe and beyond, they have been used as both food and medicine, known for their remarkable ability to strengthen the body, restore vitality, and protect against winter illness.

What makes rosehips so special is not only their famously high vitamin C content – up to 20 times more than oranges – but also the synergy of compounds they contain. Flavonoids such as rutin and quercetin enhance vitamin C absorption, carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene act as potent antioxidants, and unique galactolipids have been shown in modern studies to reduce pain and stiffness in arthritis. Together they nourish immunity, support collagen production, protect the skin and blood vessels, and reduce inflammation throughout the body.

I love weaving rosehips into daily rituals through tea. They are one of the key ingredients in my Organic Immunity Boosting Tea, where they work alongside echinacea, nettle, astragalus, and aronia berries to build resilience, restore energy, and keep the immune system strong during the colder seasons. You’ll also find them in my Relax & Uplift Tea, blended with nettle, chamomile, rose petals, lavender buds, and lemon balm – a soothing infusion that calms the mind and uplifts the spirit, while rosehips add their gentle nourishment and heart-friendly antioxidants.

But rosehips are not only for tea. They are incredibly versatile, and one of my favourite ways to preserve their goodness is by making a wild apple and rosehip vinegar – a simple, natural preparation that captures their vitality and doubles as a delicious tonic.

🍎 Wild Apple & Rosehip Vinegar – Recipe

Ingredients

  • Apples (washed and cut into pieces – no need to peel or core)

  • Fresh rosehips (washed, stems removed, discard any spoiled fruits – no need to remove seeds)

  • Cooled, boiled water

  • Sugar or honey (1–2 tablespoons per glass of water)

Method

  1. Place the chopped apples and cleaned rosehips into a large clean glass jar (2–3 litres), filling it about half to two-thirds full.

  2. Cover with cooled, boiled water and stir in the sugar or honey. This will feed the wild yeasts and start fermentation.

  3. Cover the jar with muslin or a clean cloth, secured with a rubber band.

  4. Keep in a warm, dark place. Stir daily with a wooden spoon to prevent mould on the surface.

  5. After 2–3 weeks, small bubbles will appear – a sign of healthy fermentation. Strain the liquid, discard the fruit, and return the liquid to the jar.

  6. Leave for another 3–6 weeks until the vinegar develops a pleasant taste and aroma.

  7. Strain again, bottle, seal, and store in a cool, dark cupboard.

👉 This apple–rosehip vinegar makes a tangy addition to your kitchen, but also works beautifully as the base for an oxymel or as a daily immune tonic.

If you’d like to explore rosehips more deeply – their full range of actions, additional recipes, and guidance on how to use them safely and effectively – I invite you to join Herbedies Circle. It’s my private learning space where every Wednesday we explore a new plant in detail. Inside, you’ll find step-by-step herbal lessons, seasonal recipes, and masterclasses created especially for women who want to care for themselves and their families with confidence and natural wisdom. You can join and leave whenever you wish – it’s flexible and designed to fit into your life.

And if you feel ready to take herbalism seriously – to understand how herbs work, how to combine them, and how to create remedies tailored to your own needs – then my Herbal Foundations Course will guide you every step of the way. It’s a comprehensive programme that teaches you the art and science of herbal medicine, so that you can truly become your own herbalist.

Rosehips are a reminder of resilience and nourishment – fruits that protect, restore, and renew. Whether in tea, vinegar, or as part of your daily rituals, they carry the essence of nature’s vitality straight into your hands.

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