Boost your Immune system this winter with Rose hip and Honey syrup

Rose hip (Rosa canina) are naturally high in vitamin C (2000mg per 100g) which is higher than citrus fruits and also contain folate, vitamin A, E, K, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, calcium, magnesium, manganese and iron. Rose hips are also rich in flavonoids, carotenoids, betasitosterol, malic acid, tannins, zinc and copper.
Recent studies have suggested that rose hips may have an anti-inflammatory effect due to presence of galactolipids that have been shown to protect cartilage against osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, reduce pain and disability as well as altering the immune response in osteoarthritis.
Other studies have suggested that rose hip beside its anti oxidant and anti inflammatory action may also be beneficial in lowering lipid and blood glucose levels, IBS symptoms, muscle relaxation and for topical use in skin disorders such as eczema.

Honey has a number of medicinal properties mainly due to its antibacterial and antiseptic action.
Traditionally honey has been used as a remedy for various health aliments such as sore throat, colds prevention, stomach ulcers, wound healing, fatigue, burns, acne, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular issues and colon related problems and even bladder infections.
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The health benefits of honey may be due to number of constituents  naturally present in honey like niacin, calcium, copper, riboflavin, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, antioxidants although 200 other chemicals were also reported such as  flavonoides (such as apigenin, pinocembrin, kaempferol, quercetin, galangin, chrysin and hesperetin), phenolic acids (such as ellagic, caffeic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids), ascorbic acid, tocopherols, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), fructose and glucose.  
It must be noted however that those number varies between types of honey, their handling, processing and storage.
Recent studies have shown that honey may be useful against several bacterial strains like Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli and Helicobacterium pylori and MRSA (methicilin-resistant Staph. aureus) but also a valuable remedy against influenza virus H1N1 in dose dependent manner.
Other studies have also suggested that honey may be useful for post infectious cough and nocturnal coughs in children probably due to the demulcent and antibacterial action.
To make a Rose hip and honey syrup you will need:

• 30g of fresh or frozen Rose hips (Rosa canina) fruit
• 600ml water
• 600ml honey (I got local Teddington honey)
• 1 whole lemon
• Large pan
• Sieve
• A fork
• A knife
• Chopping board
• Sterile containers with closures (50ml, 100ml will do)
• Measuring jug
• Labels

1. Prepare your Rose hips first by washing them thoroughly and chopping off the ends (it is not necessary but you can do it) . Place your pan on heat and measure 600ml of water. Put water into the pan, boil water and place rose hips inside it. 
   
   Simmer rose hips for 15 min until soft and break them down with a fork until they are soft as paste. After 5 min strain the water from rose hips into the jug and press it tightly to extract remaining water through a sieve. You have to note around 30% water will be lost in the process. 
2. 
   Pour back the rose hip juice into the boiling pan; add 600ml of honey and juice from 1 lemon. Simmer for another 5min, mixing thoroughly.
3. Cool your syrup down and bottle it up. Label it and store in the dark and cool place away from sunlight.

Directions: 2 teaspoons a day
Tips:
Always identify plants correctly, if you are unsure ask your friends who know plants by heart
Do not ingest rose seeds; they are irritating to the mucus membranes and skin.  
Sterilize your bottles it will prevent bacteria overgrowth
Wash your hands before and keep everything clean  
Support local bee keepers, local products can be more beneficial then imported from abroad
You can add a bit of cinnamon for a taste
Rose hips are great for children but less is better, small dosages are better tolerated
Do not take it you are allergic to any of the ingredients, pregnant or breastfeeding as there is no sufficient data
Source:
http://www.rawrob.com/2007/10/18/rose-hips-and-vitamin-c/
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/ethnic-foods/10470/2
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22051322
http://jocpr.com/second-issue/J.%20Chem.%20Pharm.%20Res.,2010,%202%281%29%20385-395.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758027/
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/sweet-news-honeys-powerful-anti-flu-properties-confirmed-2
http://osub.mums.ac.ir/osub/nilfr_back/ijo/library/upload/article/af_23362231-RAEESSI(1-8).pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3601686/