A Powerhouse Drink to Support your Immune System

​I hope you’ve been staying well this month and nourishing yourself with delicious and healthy foods! 
 
Do you have a favorite drink you like to have in the winter? I have many! But, today I wanted to share one that’ll support you in staying healthy this season.

​St. Hildegard recommended fennel tea as one of the best teas to drink. But maybe you’re not a fan of fennel? I know it’s definitely an acquired taste for many!
 
Well, rosehip tea is another tea that St. Hildegard said was very beneficial to your health. Especially good in the winter, rosehip tea helps to detoxify the body, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the immune system.
 
What are rosehips?
Rosehips are the small, round seed pods of the wild rose flower just below the petals. You’ll see them on the plant after the rose blossoms fade away. They’re typically red or orange in color and ripen in the late summer or autumn. They have a tart flavor, reminiscent of crab apples, and can be used for tea, oil or even jam.
 
Rosehips are one of the most concentrated sources of vitamin C available and have a long history of being used in traditional medicine. During World War II, rosehips became popular, especially in Great Britain, when there was a very limited supply of citrus fruits. Volunteers gathered rosehips to make rosehip syrup to distribute, particularly to children, to ensure enough Vitamin C in their diet.

​Rosehip Tea
Rosehip tea is wonderful to drink in the winter and is made from steeping crushed or dried rosehips. You can find them at a specialty grocery store if you don’t have any nearby to harvest. 
 
Place 2 tsp. of dried rosehips in a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes. Strain and serve warm with a little honey, as desired. Enjoy!
 
You can also find rosehip tea, already crushed and in tea bags, from herbal tea companies if you’d prefer an easier method!

​Rosehip Syrup
You can also make rosehip syrup that’s a wonderful balance of tart and sweet and delicious on pancakes, oatmeal, or yogurt.
 
First make rosehip tea and cool it to room temperature. Add an equal amount of honey to the tea. One cup of honey to one cup of tea. Stir until combined and store in the refrigerator. Yum!

I invite you to nourish yourself this month with healthy foods and drinks – a way of self care. I hope you enjoy the nourishment of rosehips as they support your immune system and health this winter!
 
Did you miss my other nourishing recipes this month?  You can find them here.  
Easing the Discomfort of Illness in Winter
An Easy, Nutritious Snack to Help Curb Cravings
The Nourishing Food That's Good for Digestion and Skin and Even Makes Us Happy!