california wild rose

The beautiful rosa californica is native to California, Oregon & the northen part of Baja California, Mexico. This shrub grows most abundantly in moist soils near water sources, like rivers and streams. During the fall the pink flowers turn into brillant red rose hips. These rose hips are high in antioxidants and contain vitamin C, a property that is water soluble. Which makes rose hips and amazing addition to water based infusions like herbal teas and other solvents high in water.
Which brings me to a little myth that exists in the skin care world. You will often see serums and infused oils boasting the rose hips in them, and praising them for their high vitamin C.

A property we know and love because vitamin C tones and tightens the skin. The issue here is that a lot of the infusions are made in oil. And vitamin C simply does not extract in oil, as it is water soluble. So look instead to rose hip extracts that are not infused in oils.

On another note these rose hips are also what makes this medicinal herb such a brilliant native plant at promoting biodiversity. Animals eat and spread these seeds through their waste, which in turn promotes biodiversity in the area.

So when you are harvesting these wild rose hips be sure that you are leaving plenty for the wild life and only taking what you will use.

Here are some energetics, herbal actions and identification tips for this beautiful native variety.

Parts Used:

-flower petals & buds, rose hips, roots, and leaves

Energetics:

-cooling/astringent

Tastes:

-rose hips: sour, sweet, bitter

-flowers: sweet, bitter

Support on tissue states:

-soothes heat/excitation

-supports damp/stagnation

-tones damp/relaxation

Herbal Actions:

-astringent, cardio tonic, anti-inflammatory, nervine, vulnerary, antibacterial

Contraindications:

-generally considered a very safe herb

- seeds of rose hips are to be avoided as they may cause digestive upset

- do not use plants that have been sprayed with herbicides/pesticides

- advised to avoid during early pregnancy because of its "blood moving" effects

Please be sure to always use multiple sources when identifying and wild harvesting medicinal plants.

Disclaimer: These articles are for educational purposes only, they are not a substitution for professional medical advice, and as the reader you are responsible for your own health decisions.