Stress Management

Astringent, carminative, diuretic, tonic.

Brier hips are particularly beneficial for the digestive apparatus and produce a diuretic effect without irritating the kidneys. Where there is a tendency toward kidney stones or gravel, use brier hips as a preventive or arrestant. 

Brier hips are also recommended for kidney or bladder inflammation. By eliminating uric acid accumulations, brier hips also help in gouty and rheumatic complaints. A decoction of crushed achenes is also sometimes used for fever and as a beverage tea.

Brier hip is a bushy shrub that grows in open fields and thickets and on dry banks from Nova Scotia to Virginia and Tennessee. It is naturalized from Europe, where it is found around the edges of woods, hedges, garden fences, and on sloping ground. Varying in height from 2 to 13 feet, its numerous stems are covered with sharp spines and prickles. The leaves are odd- pinnate, usually consisting of 5 to 7 leaflets that are opposite, ovate, acute, serrate, and hairy beneath. The flowers are red, pale red, or nearly white and appear from May to July. The Oblong, scarlet to orange-red fruit contains many one-seeded achenes that ripens in the fall.

Infusion: Use 1 to 2 tsp. hips (without seeds) with I cup boiling water.

Decoction: Use 1/2 to 1 tsp. powdered achenes with I cup water. Boil until 1/2 cup of liquid remains. Drink in the course of the day.