The bright red hips of the wild rose are now ready to harvest where I live. There is simply nothing more satisfying than to gather and ingest the wild gifts of Our Mother Gaia…. especially those that come with medicinal blessings. Rose hips are high in vitamin C. Hands down higher than an orange or other citrus fruit, and are known to reduce inflammation, support the immune system, and counter the effects of stress.

To experience the concept of “beauty”, clean a bowl of rosehips. Each rosehip or “haw”, is unique in its shape, color, luster and scent. Only a few have the physical characteristics of perfection or superficial “beauty”. Some are ovate in shape. Others are obovate, falcate, rhomboid, circular, truncate, acuminate and even pyramid shape. The surface of the hip can be smooth and shiny, granular and dull or even have ridges and other characteristics.

The Strength and Gifts of a Rosehip lie deep in Her cells. Her Power, Her gift of Medicine has nothing to do with what she looks like, or the location of Her emergence on a rose bush. Her Medicine is not dependent on the color or blush of the fruit, nor on softness of Her body. Her Medicine rises … deep in Her flesh, in the flavonoids and cellular walls of Her Being, in the sweet stickiness of Her waters.

One’s Personal Medicine, One’s Gifts for Healing in this World have absolutely nothing, NOTHING to do with what you look like, where you were born, or where you live now. It has nothing to do with your age or place in your family tree, or how much money you have or don’t have. Whether you are educated or not …. The Medicine lies deep, deep within the very walls of your Body and the walls of your Spirit. It already exists … and Rises as you extend your hand to this World and to the woundedness you see before your feet. Feed your Medicine the waters of Life, the freshness of Air, the Earth beneath your naked feet. Turn your mind and Spirit toward the Light of Hope and Vision. See to the Fire that lies within your Breast and release yourself to Love …. and bring healing to yourself and to this World ….

Rosehip and Wild Plum Cordial (Syrup) for Colds and Coughs

1 quart of Wild Rosehips
25 Wild plums (Prunus americana)
5 cups of water
1 cup of sugar
Juice of 1 lemon

Clean the rosehips by removing any flower end and the stem. Rinse in a colander under cool water. Slice open and pit 25 Wild plums. Add to the rosehips. Put ½ of the Rosehips and Wild plums into a blender. Add 1.5 cups of hot water and puree for 1 minute. Pour this into a tall 4 quart saucepan. Repeat with the remaking hips and plums.

Add 2 Cups of boiling water to this slurry in the pot…set on medium high heat and boil for 1 minute. Turn off the heat, cover, and let stand for 12 hours to make a strong decoction.

After 12 hours, strain through a cheese cloth, and gently squeeze to get more decoction. Place the strained juice into a pan and add the sugar. Place on medium heat until it boils. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice.

Pour into hot, sterilized ½ pint jars or jelly jars. Screw on lids and hand tighten, do not torque. Keep in cool, dry storage. Use within 4 months. If you want a longer shelf life, seal using a water bath canning method. This increases shelf life to 18 months. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons to a tea cup and fill with hot, boiling water…..enjoy