Rosa Canina is used especially for its Rosehips.

Botanical Name:  Rosa canina

Plant Family: Rosaceae 

Common Names: Dog Rose, Haggebutt, Wild Rose

Origin: Indigenous to Great Britain

History: The word 'hips' comes from the Anglo-Saxon word hiope and 'Dog Rose' comes from dag meaning 'dagger'.

Tradition: Rosehips are:

• strung like beads and worn to attract love

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• calcium
• citrates
• citric acid
• iron
• malates
• malic acid
• niacin
• organic acids
• pectin
• phosphorus
• resin
• salts
• sugar
• tannin
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin P
• wax

Usage

Rose hips are used for:

Blood Conditions

• blood purifier
• conditions where blood is being brought up via the lungs
• internal hemorrhaging
• spitting of blood

Female Conditions

• disorders of the breast
• excessive menstruation
• uterine cramps

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• diarrhea
• dysentery
• strengthens the stomach

Respiratory Conditions

• chest infections
• colds
• coughs
• influenza

Urinary Tract Conditions

• cleans out the Kidneys and Bladder
• eliminates uric acid accumulations, helping with gout and rheumatic complaints
• fluid retention

Other

• allays thirst
• builds strength when convalescing
• deficiency of Vitamin C in children
• general debility and exhaustion

Externally

• nourishes the skin

The common Red Rose is also used medicinally

The petals are used for: 

Bacterial Conditions

• sharpness and heat of urine in gonorrhea

Blood Conditions

• blood purifier (an infusion mixed with honey)

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

• dizziness (an infusion )
• headache (an infusion)

Cardiovascular Conditions

• heart and nerve tonic (an infusion mixed with honey)

Respiratory Tract Conditions

colds
coughs
sore throat (Rose honey)

Other

• invigorates the tired body (decoction mixed with wine)
• mouth sores (decoction)
• toothache (mouthwash from a decoction mixed with wine)

Female Conditions

• menstrual complaints

Genitourinary Conditions

• soreness of the bladder
• uterine cramps (decoction mixed with wine)

Externally for:

• chafed hands and lips (ointment)
• sores of the mouth, ears and anus
• ulcers (wash)

Action:

• aperient [a mild stimulant producing a natural movement of the bowels; a gentle purgative]
• astringent [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
• diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
• laxative (mild) [an agent promoting evacuation of the bowels; a mild purgative]
• pectoral [remedy for pulmonary or other lung and chest diseases]
• nutrient [gives nourishment]
• refrigerant [an agent that lowers abnormal body heat, relieves thirst and gives a feeling of coolness]
• tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
  

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Other species are also used medicinally especially those classified as Hybrid Perpetuals. The following varieties are the most commonly used:

Botanical Name: Rosa californica

Plant Family: Rosa, spp

Common name: Californian Rose

Origin: Grows in moist places from Oregon to Baja, California

History: The native American Indian used it for:

• colds
• muscular pains
• West Coast Indians use it to make cold remedies

Tradition: Spanish Americans still eat the rosehips either raw or stewed

Medicinal Parts Used: Petals and rosehips

Botanical Name: Rosa centiofolia

Plant Family: Rosa, spp

Common name: Cabbage Rose, Hundred-leaved Rose

Origin: Found wild in eastern Caucasia and southern Europe

History: Cabbage Rose is the source of commercial Rose Water

Medicinal Parts Used: Petals

Action:

• aperient [a mild stimulant producing a natural movement of the bowels; a gentle purgative]

It is used for:

• hemorrhages

Externally Rose Water is used in ointments etc. for:

rough, dry or chafed skin

Botanical Name: Rosa damascena

Plant Family: Rosa, spp

Common name: Bulgarian Rose, Damask Rose, Moroccan Rose

Origin: Grows wild in the Balkans and Asia Minor

Medicinal Parts Used: Petals and rosehips

Action:

• rejuvenant

Uses: Steam distillation of Damask Rose petals produces the very expensive 'attar' or 'otto' of roses, the Rose Oil and is used for: 

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

• insomnia (inhaled)

Female Conditions

• regulates the menstrual cycle

Other

• as a rejuvenating agent

It is also used for:

• a flavoring agent
• perfumes

Botanical Name: Rosa egalanteria

Plant Family: Rosa, spp

Common name: Egalantine, Sweetbriar

Origin: Found wild in Asia, Europe and North America

Medicinal Parts Used: Petals and rosehips

Uses: In Iran it is used for

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• diarrhea
• relieves colic

Botanical Name: Rosa gallica

Plant Family: Rosa, spp

Common name: French Rose, Provence Rose

Origin: Found wild in southern Europe and West Asia

Medicinal Parts Used: Petals

Action:

• astringent (mild) [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
• tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]   

The infusion can be used as a:

• eye wash 
• vaginal douche

Other Uses:

• high quality potpourris
• high quality oils

Botanical Name: Rosa laevigata

Plant Family: Rosa, spp

Common name: Cherokee Rose

Origin: Found wild in China and Japan

Medicinal Parts Used: Petals and rosehips

Uses: In China it is used for

Male Conditions

• problems with excessive or frequent involuntary release of semen

Botanical Name: Rosa roxburghii 

Plant Family: Rosa, spp

Common name: Roxburgh Rose

Medicinal Parts Used: Rosehips

Uses: In China the rosehips are used for

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• dyspepsia
  

Precautions

Drug Interactions:

Do not use Rosehips without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:

• None indicated