I had the pleasure of spending heaps of time at the ocean this summer. It's truly my medicine. One of my favorite plants to spend time with there is the abundant Beach Rose (Rosa rugosa), whose Rose Hips are perfectly ripe and ready to harvest right now. Later, in the early fall, the Rose Hips of our common inland Wild Rose (Rosa multiflora) will ripen, brightening the landscape with their red glow in the hedgerows.

Both make great medicine, although the hips of the Beach Rose are undeniably larger, tastier and juicer. Read on below for in-depth info on the medicinal use of Rose Hips and ways to incorporate them into your apothecary and kitchen.

Rose season is quite possibly my most highly anticipated “plant season” of the year. Many of us bioregional herbalists mark the year in this way…April is Dandelion and Violet, May is Nettles, and Rose season here begins in June. Whether it’s Beach Rose growing wild on the coast, Wild Rose growing every which way with the brambles in the hedges, or a fragrant antique Rose growing in a hidden garden- I love them all.

I'm a big fan of wild sodas in the warmer months when I don't find myself as drawn to tea. They have a sweet, sour, and fizzy flavor similar to kombucha, which makes sense since they're both fermented and probiotic. Another cool thing about wild sodas is that they can be made with entirely local ingredients if you're using local honey!

This is one of my all-time favorite Rose preparations that’s a go-to for me all summer to cool down that fiery Pitta/Fire energy or when I just want a delicious and refreshing beverage that also makes me feel amazing! Oxymels are herbal drinks or sipping vinegars that are made by extracting herbs and/or fruits into a combination of vinegar and honey.

I love making herbal honeys. They're easy, safe, effective, insanely delicious, and are the kind of medicine that can be made with a tiny carbon footprint since local raw honey is quite abundant here in our region! One of my favorite herbal honeys to make is with Wild Rose (Rosa multiflora).

Yesterday was filled with swim dates and harvesting Wild Rose.....it basically doesn't get any better than that! As my friend and I sat by the swimming hole, the smell of Wild Rose (Rosa multiflora), which is currently in full bloom throughout the Valley, kept wafting through the air.....it was truly intoxicating.

It's that special time of year again when the Valley is awash with the scent of Wild Rose (Rosa Multiflora). Have you been lucky enough to catch it wafting on the wind like thick perfume?