About Rosehips
Rosa canina (commonly known as the dog rose) is a thorny creeper which nestles between the dramatic peaks of Lesotho’s majestic Maluti Mountains, where it reveals its vast healing potentials. Here, in the crisp mountain air, the hardy Dog Rose – a scrambling, deciduous shrub with hooked thorns and delicate pink-white petals – flourishes. The hand-picked rosehip is the pseudocarp (accessory fruit) of the rose – the orange-red hip found underneath the petals. Rosehips flourish in temperate climates, thriving in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Historically, rosehips have been treasured for centuries, dating back to ancient civilizations that utilized their healing properties. During World War II, British citizens famously turned to rosehips as a vital source of vitamin C when citrus fruits were scarce. Rich in nutrients and disease-fighting properties, Rosehips have gained much attention within the nutraceutical and cosmetic industries. They are abounding in antioxidants, containing high levels of polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamins C and E. Rosehips may aid in strengthening the immune system, protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes, reduce osteoarthritis pain and inflammation, and support weight loss.
Why Choose Rosehips?
ANTI-OXIDANTS
Packed with antioxidants, rosehips help protect the body against free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and promoting overall health.
RICH IN VITAMIN C
Rosehips are a potent source of vitamin C, essential for boosting the immune system, promoting healthy skin, and aiding in the absorption of iron.
SUPPORTS SKIN HEALTH
The high content of vitamins A and E in rosehips promotes skin regeneration, improves skin tone, and reduces the appearance of scars and wrinkles.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Rosehips have natural anti-inflammatory compounds that can help alleviate joint pain and stiffness, making them beneficial for conditions like arthritis.
ENHANCES DIGESTION
The natural pectin and fruit acids in rosehips aid in digestion, helping to relieve constipation and support a healthy gut.
BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY
Regular consumption of rosehips can contribute to cardiovascular health by helping to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Production Process
Harvesting
Before wild harvesting commences, the Rosehip is given time to mature on the bush, allowing for its natural flavours and sugars to develop and caramelise, offering a delicate, characteristically floral, and slightly sweet flavour with a distinctly tart aftertaste. Rosehips are harvested during the autumn months and the wild harvesting of Rosehips in Lesotho is increasingly being recognised for its significant socio-economic impact, notably among women. This sustainable endeavour provides disadvantaged rural communities with a viable alternative source of income that is relatively easy to access. Harvested Rosehip berries are collected from the villages and brought to Maluti Rosehips Ltd – sometimes on the backs of donkeys, where there are no roads – for drying.
Drying and Processing
At Maluti Rosehips Ltd in Kamberg, the bags of Rosehip berries are unloaded and weighed in. Incoming raw plant material is batched according to village, which means that each batch can be traced back to the specific people who harvested it. The berries are then decanted into trays and placed in specialised drying containers. The berries are then dehydrated at a temperature of 50° Celsius to ensure the integrity of the bioactive ingredients is maintained. The dried berries are then bagged and transported to Rooibos Ltd for further processing.
Processing
At Maluti Rosehips Ltd in Kamberg, the bags of Rosehip berries are unloaded and weighed in. Incoming raw plant material is batched according to village, which means that each batch can be traced back to the specific family who harvested it. The berries are then decanted into trays and placed in specialised drying containers. The berries are then dehydrated at a temperature of 40° Celsius to ensure the integrity of the bioactive ingredients is maintained. The dried berries are then bagged and transported to Rooibos Ltd for further processing.
Our Products
Rooibos Ltd is proud to offer a range of Rosehip products for the food and beverage and cosmetics industries.
See our brochure here for more information