Are rose hips edible? This was the question that sent my husband back to start on a recent game of Battle of the Sexes. The answer? Yes, actually they are. This innocent little question spurred this weeks blog since I know nothing about rose hips and thought this would be a great time to find out more about them.

  According to research, Rose hips are the seed pods of roses that only show up after the blooms have faded. They look like little berries and are left on the tips of the stems. The hips as well as the petals themselves are actually edible and I found a number of recipes that included one or the other; everything from a simple tea to flavorings in soups to eating them plain.

  What is the benefit of these oft forgotten parts of the rose? Apparently they are loaded with vitamin C, which we all know is excellent for us (hanksville.net). They also contain bioflavonoids and a large amount of pectines. Now, I’m not a nutritionist nor overtly versed in the use of wild (or semi wild) plants but I am becoming more interested in gaining more nutrients from nature rather than from a manufactured pill. While modern science has given us a vast array of options when it comes to the intake of nutrients; I tend to think that the Creator knew what He was doing and that if we can gain what we need in the pure form then we may not need so many pills.

I encourage you to seek out edible plants, other than what you may find at the grocery store. Try starting a window garden or if space allows an actual garden in your yard. Look for blooms that can do double duty by enhancing the aesthetics of your garden as well as finding their way to your table. Check out a book on recipes from nature from your local library. There is so much to learn, we just have to take the time to look!

  Oh, and the game? My husband ended up winning; getting sent back to start didn’t faze him in the least.