ENGLISH NAME: Dog Rose
LATIN NAME: Rosa canina
LOCAL NAMES:
Czechia: Šípek
Turkey: Kuşburnu
Bulgaria: Шипка (Shipka)
Georgia: ველური ვარდი (Veluri vardi), ვარდი ძაღლისა (Vardi
dzaghlisha)
COUNTRY: Turkey,
Bulgaria, Czechia, Georgia
WHERE TO FIND IT:
Region: Guria, Imereti,
Adjara, widespread in Europe and West Asia
Elevation: Sea level to ~1,050 meters
Terrain: Woodlands, hedgerows, open fields; prefers well-drained soils
and sunny locations
DESCRIPTION:
Dog Rose is a
thorny shrub reaching up to 3 meters, with arching stems, pinnate leaves, and
fragrant pink or white five-petaled flowers in spring. In late summer to early
autumn, it bears bright red or orange hips (fruit), rich in vitamin C and
commonly used in teas, jams, and skincare.
USABLE PARTS: Fruit (hips),
flowers, leaves (hips are most used)
MEDICINAL
PROPERTIES:
Regenerative,
anti-inflammatory, supports digestive and immune health, used against ulcer
disease, mild depression, eczema (topically), emotional disorders, mouth rash,
herpes, and as a source of vitamin C.
UNDESIRED EFFECTS:
May cause mild digestive discomfort if large amounts of hips are consumed;
thorns can cause skin irritation.
COMBINING WITH
OTHER MEDICINES:
Consult a healthcare professional before combining with medications, especially
those affecting blood clotting or blood sugar, as interactions are possible.
PREPARATION:
Hips are used
fresh or dried in teas, syrups, jams, and extracts. Flowers can be dried for
herbal infusions or skincare uses.
HARVEST TIME:
Flowers: Late spring
(May–June)
Hips: Late summer to
early autumn (August–October) when fully ripe
HARVEST METHOD:
Hips are handpicked to avoid damage to the plant. Flowers are gathered in the
morning and dried in shade.
CONSERVATION
(STORAGE):
Dried hips and flowers should be stored in airtight containers away from light
and moisture. Conservation includes habitat protection and sustainable
harvesting.