ROSE HIP OIL...RECIPE

As you know I am a great fan of foraging and love to make the best use of everything that is growing.
Rose hips are abundant from September  to mid November...most are left on the bushes as some people only look for things which are edible. These little darlings are not easy to cook and the husk inside is not very attractive! However foraging is not all about food - I also collect produce to make my own beauty products.

Self sufficiency is not just about food.


I  prepare my own rose hip oil which is useful for facial cleansing, moisturising and for body massage. It is very easy to make

1. To each cup of rosehips you will need  2 cups of oil. Something without a fragrance is better.....almond,avocado.  Extra virgin olive oil is excellent especially if it is high in polyphenols and oleic acids......they will trap water in the skin to help hydrate it. It is also a cheap but natural alternative to some oils that are available.

2. Top and tail the hips. Chop them up  as much as possible. I put mine in a liquidiser but you can just give them a good bash .. This is not so important if the hips are really soft but if they are hard it will help them breakdown much more quickly
Normally you would not bash rosehips if you are using them for eating as the husk inside can make the jam/jelly bitteer tasting but its ok when making oil.

3 Put oil and hips in a slow cooker and cook on medium for 4 hours.this may take longer if the hips are harder.

4 Once ready strain the hips through a muslin cloth and put the oil into a dark jar.

I have not yet found a use for the discarded hips yet other than putting them on the compost heap.

C'est ca!!!!

USING THE OIL AS A CLEANSER

Massage the oil into the face.
Soak a facecloth in warm water and apply to the face to remove the oil. Repeat until skin feels clean and fresh. NO EXPENSIVE FACE WIPES JUST WASH AND REUSE YOUR FACECLOTH.


USING THE OIL AS A MOSITURISER

Cleanse the skin as you normally would. Leave the skin damp and then add a pea sized amount of your rose hip oil. Blend in the skin and leave to absorb. The dampness will help it absorb quicker.
A great natural food for your skin...and you will feel safe in the knowledge you are not adding any impurities to your body

USE AS A MASSAGE/MOISTURISING OIL ALL OVER THE BODY...IT IS ESPECIALLY GOOD FOR DRY ELBOWS, KNEES AND FEET.


USE AS A BATH OIL

You can add some other essential oils to the rosehip for use in the bath. Lavender, Chamomile or whatever your particular requirement is at the time of bathing. Add it to a small amount of oil and put into the running water. Alternatively you can put it directly onto the skin while it is damp after the bath or shower.

ENJOY!!!