Roses and their fruit coursed an incredibly fascinating path through human history. From their use by Swiss lake dwellers in prehistoric times, to Mayans and Egyptians. The ancient Chinese, Persians, Romans and Greeks all appreciated the benefits of the fruit, sometimes called a hip or a haw. They used it as both, herbal remedy and nutritious food. In 600 BC writings, the Greek poet, Sappho named this beneficial beauty “Queen of Flowers”.

Herbalists in centuries past, such as the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder, recorded numerous ways to prepare roses to extract their medicinal virtues including as treatment for the bites of rabid dogs, stomach complaints, colds and toothaches. Its scientific Latin name of Rosa Canina or Dog Rose, is thought to have derived from the Romans’ belief that rosehips could cure rabies caused by dog bites.

Legend and history have intertwined and volumes have been written about the cultivation and virtues of the much-loved rose. Findings tell us that humans used it mostly in the form of jam but also in cooking and to make teas, soup, syrup and oils.

The British kept this fruit in their pharmacopeia well into the 1930s. In fact, during World War II, the public were actively encouraged by the government to gather rosehips to make a syrup for the troops. The reason? Rosehips contain a great quantity of Vitamin C, iron, and other minerals which were beneficial for people who needed extra resources and to prevent diseases like scurvy. The details and success of the campaign are eloquently told in two articles in The Times [London, England] in autumn of 1941, and mid-winter 1942.