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You've probably seen rose hip oil in skin care products, aromatherapy blends, and hair treatments. You can easily make this expensive oil at home using rose hips that you've gathered from a rose plant or purchased locally. Warm the rose hips with oil in a slow cooker until the oil is infused. Or for a no-heat version, dry the rose hips and mix them with the oil. Let the oil and rose hips soak for several weeks before you strain the oil. Always keep your rose hip oil in a dark jar in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (127 g) fresh or dried rose hips
  • 2 cups (475 ml) almond, olive, or jojoba oil
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making Rose Hip Infused Oil

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  1. You need one cup (127 g) of fresh or dried rose hips. Buy them at a local health food store, farmer's market, or online. They can be gathered from rose plants in your area. Look for firm rose hips that are bright orange or red in color. Wear leather gloves to protect the hands from thorns and when plucking the rose hips from the plant. [1]
  2. Place the rose hips in a small slow cooker between 1 to 2 quarts (0.9 to 1.9 liters) in size. Pour 2 cups (475 ml) of your favorite oil over the rose hips. [4]
    • For example, use almond, olive, or jojoba oils. Use organic oils since they are not as heavily processed as conventionally produced oils.
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  3. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to low. Let the rose hips infuse with the oil for eight hours. The oil will smell fragrant and be orange in color once it is fully infused. [5]
    • The oil should never get hotter than 100 °F (38 °C). If the slow cooker has a warm setting, use that instead of low.
  4. Turn off the slow cooker and set a strainer over a bowl. Line the strainer with cheesecloth and carefully pour the oil through it. This separates the oil from the rose hip solids which can now be thrown away. [6]
  5. Pour the oil into a clean dark glass jar. Screw on a tight fitting lid and place the oil in the refrigerator. The oil will store for six to eight months. [7]
    • Rose hip oil is sensitive to light so it is important to keep it in a dark jar.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making Rose Hip Macerated Oil

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  1. Buy 1 cup (127 g) of fresh or dried rose hips from a local health food store, farmer's market, online, or gather them from rose plants in your area. Choose firm rose hips that are bright orange or red in color. Protect the hands with leather gloves when picking the rose hips. [8]
  2. If you purchased or gathered fresh rose hips, wash and dry them completely. Take a sharp paring knife and cut off both ends of each rose hip. Lay out a sheet of newspaper and spread the trimmed rose hips in a single layer. Leave the rose hips to dry for one week. [10]
    • Some people scoop out the hair and seeds inside the rose hips as they can cause irritation. This is not necessary, as the rose hips in oil will be strained out through the cheesecloth.
  3. Get a glass jar with a 3 cups (946 ml) capacity. Place the dried rose hips in the jar and pour 2 cups (473 ml) of almond, olive, or jojoba oil over them. Screw the lid of the jar shut.
    • Use a dark jar so that the oil is not exposed to light. [11]
  4. Place the jar of rose hip oil in the refrigerator. Over time, the rose hips will flavor the oil and turn it a golden, orange color. This will take about three weeks. [12]
  5. Lay a piece of cheesecloth in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Pour the rose hip oil through the cheesecloth to separate the rose hips from the oil. Discard the rose hips. [13]
  6. Transfer the rose hip oil to a dark glass jar. Secure the top with a tight fitting lid and store the rose hip oil in the refrigerator. The rose hip oil needs to be used within six months. [14]
    • Make sure the storage jar is dark. Rose hip oil is sensitive to light and the nutrients break down if it is exposed to light.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can you grind rose hips beforehand?
    Ritu Thakur, MA
    Natural Health Care Professional
    Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.
    Natural Health Care Professional
    Expert Answer
    Definitely! Put the rose hips into a mortar and crush them so the seeds can release their medicinal properties into the carrier oil.
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      Things You'll Need

      Rose Hip Infused Oil

      • Measuring cups
      • Small, dark glass jar with a tight fitting lid
      • Bowl
      • Strainer
      • Cheesecloth
      • One to two quart (0.9 to 1.9 liters) slow cooker

      Rose Hip Macerated Oil

      • Measuring cups
      • Two dark, glass jars with a tight fitting lids
      • Newspaper
      • Paring knife
      • Bowl
      • Strainer
      • Cheesecloth

      References

      1. http://montanahomesteader.com/rose-hips-foraging-recipes/
      2. Ritu Thakur, MA. Natural Health Care Professional. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      3. Ritu Thakur, MA. Natural Health Care Professional. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      4. http://www.nakedcuisine.com/harvested/harvest-use-rose-hips/
      5. http://www.nakedcuisine.com/harvested/harvest-use-rose-hips/
      6. http://www.nakedcuisine.com/harvested/harvest-use-rose-hips/
      7. https://lulastic.co.uk/thrifty-2/homemade-rosehip-oil-a-bit-of-thrifty-foraging/
      8. http://montanahomesteader.com/rose-hips-foraging-recipes/
      9. Ritu Thakur, MA. Natural Health Care Professional. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      You can easily make your own rosehip oil at home with a few basic supplies. All you’ll need is 1 cup of rose hips and 2 cups of almond, olive, or jojoba oil. First, you’ll need to cut both ends off each rosehip, spread them on a sheet of newspaper, and leave them for 1 week. Then, fill a large jar with the rosehips and 2 cups of your oil, seal it, and leave it in the fridge for 3 weeks. After that, just strain the mixture through a cheesecloth and transfer it to a dark sealable jar. The dark jar will protect your rosehip oil from the light. Store your oil in the fridge and use it within 6 months. For more tips, including how to make rosehip oil in a slow cooker, read on!

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      • Rani Bujan

        Nov 14, 2022

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