In the latest issue of Harvests magazine, Holistic Health Consultant Nic Parkes shared her recipe to make a gentle rose hip glycerite rather than the usual sugar syrup.

Here, she delves deeper into the healing potential of rose hips, observing their qualities through the lens of anthroposophy. Inviting us to follow her journey, she experiments with these unique fruits and uncovers how, when combined with others, they may form a powerful, holistic remedy for both body and spirit. 

Anthroposophy: a path to understanding plants and healing

Anthroposophy, the spiritual science developed by Rudolf Steiner, provides a path to cultivate our spiritual-sensing faculties, starting with developing attention, and an attitude of wonder and gratitude. Steiner described it as “a path of knowledge, which intends to lead what is spiritual in the human being to what is spiritual in the universe”. 

Plants not only serve as food and remedies, but also embody spiritual principles and forces that connect us with the rhythms and energies of nature. They bring the mineral earth to life, with their roots sensing into the earth, and their blossoms and fruit connecting with the warmth and light of the cosmos. Food is a little like a rainbow, a bridge between earth and the cosmos. The human spirit is able to transform the nutrition taken in.  

Much has been written about roses and rose hips. How does an anthroposophic view look? 

A closer study of the rose shows that it bears the sun’s signature. The pentagonal blossom dances with the play of light and darkness. Red roses have the colour of irradiated blood. 

A closer study of the rose shows that it bears the sun’s signature. The pentagonal blossom dances with the play of light and darkness. Red roses have the colour of irradiated blood. 

The Rosaceae family, to which the rose belongs, is the greatest fruit-producing family in the temperate regions, the middle ground between the cold pole and the hot tropics. These fruits of today, apples, strawberries, pears, cherries and more, are all related to the rose, tracing their origins to a common ancestor. 

In anthroposophy, the connection between body and spirit is fundamental to understanding health and well-being. The nutritive qualities of fruit help body and spirit work harmoniously together. The physiological basis of this function is circulation, which Steiner viewed not just as a means of transporting nutrients, but as a vital force linking the physical body to the spiritual realms. The blood alternates between downward densifying (contraction) and upward sublimation (expansion). Fruit feeds the circulatory processes and even has a direct part in making the blood.  

A storehouse of light and vitality

Within the Rosaceae family, there are different groups of fruit, each with different characters. Rose hips, also referred to as haws, are the fruit of the rose. Haws have numerous pistils, all contained within one receptacle. There is a motherly quality of embracing the pistils.  

Radiating out from the receptacle, like rays of light, are the styles, with their bright yellow stigma. Rose hips are rich in Vitamin C, which Rudolf Hauschka, Austrian chemist and anthroposophist, refers to as “latent light” in The Nature of Substance. 

The physical substances found in the fruit of the rose are tannins, some volatile oils, and carotene — the pigment that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis, relating to the dynamics of light. Additionally, it has sugars, pectin, and fruit acids such as malic acid and citric acid, with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) being particularly abundant. The seeds in the fruit contain vanillin, a fatty oil, and silica. At the mineral level, the rose hip is rich in iron, calcium and phosphorus, all of which play important roles in the blood process. 

Unlocking the healing power of rose hips

We’ve analysed the nutritive qualities, but how would I now look to see if a medicine could arise? What is the “one-sidedness?” What pharmaceutical processes are required to bring the plant into the right relationship with the illness process in the human body so that it can address and treat it? Is a compound medicine needed, bringing together different plant parts or substances, and if so, what would the other substances be? For inspiration, I look to the nature around me in my garden and my country, as well as the cosmos. Steiner talked about making preparations from the individual parts of plants and then using them singly or in different combinations to achieve the right healing effect. 

Regarding the rose hip, the special relationship to the sugar process points to using the hips, with seeds removed, to help diabetes. The inversion of the fruiting process in the rose and the direction of the silica process relate to enhanced kidney elimination. Here we would want to use the seeds of the fruit.

The fruit acids, carotene and vitamin C are revitalising. The whole fruit becomes a boosting tonic for the metabolism and brightens the senses bringing equilibrium. What am I looking for here? A way to bring the sun, the light inside, as we go through winter. Winter is the time when we develop our inner light. 

The distillation process to produce a hydrosol, a water-based solution containing the beneficial compounds of plants, using the warmth and water elements, could be useful. I am a fan of mixed distillations using the right still (Alquitar, column or traditional), devices designed to separate the plant’s different compounds through heating and condensation. To find the right ingredients to bring together in the process, I first need to observe and converse with nature’s gifts, research using the tools of natural science, and then bring this together with the spiritual scientific research process. 

I’ve already used rose blossom flowers in my Pounamu/Helianthus oral liquid and Pounamu/Aurum salve, but am now inspired to explore rose hips. When combined with other plants or minerals they could potentially form a powerful, holistic healing remedy. 

Many other Rosaceae family members are used in anthroposophic medicine, like quince, hawthorn, and herb bennet, each addressing different imbalances such as allergies, circulation, and digestion. 

As I continue this exploration, I invite you to follow me as I share future discoveries and formulations that may come to life on my website. I also encourage you to embark on your own journey of discovery through embodied, Goethean-style observation—an approach to understanding nature holistically and intuitively. For more insights, consider exploring Taruna College’s ‘The Art of Well Being’ programme, which includes foundational anthroposophy courses and workshops. 

Nic is the Honorary Treasurer for the Anthroposophical Society in New Zealand and works closely with the International Circle of Treasurers of the General Anthroposophical Society. She is a Holistic Health Consultant with a background in pharmacy, Bowen therapy, and organic growing, and expertise in herbal, homeopathic, and anthroposophic medicine. Nic handcrafts personalised remedies imbued with her spirit at her clinic Healing Lands in Hastings. She has been a member of Biodynamics New Zealand for 25 years. 

www.healinglands.nz  

By Christine Moginie

Road to Regeneration – Sunday 12^th November 2023 at the ASB Viaduct Theatre in Auckland with Dr Zach Bush Farmers Footprint , Nicole Masters Integrity Soils, Dr Hugh Jellie Ata Regenerative, Te Rangikaheke Kiripatea Kai Rotorua, Tre Cates nRythm, and Angela Clifford The Food Farm/Eat WellNZ 

Fresh from a sold out 800 plus attendance event in Byron Bay NSW “Reconnect” with Charlie Arnott, Joost Bakker, and others on the Saturday, Zach Bush MD joined the line up to inspire those looking for answers to the “where to now?” question, and to launch his charity Farmers Footprint NZ.  

Organisied by Hugh’s marvellous all girl team Fran Baxter (daughter of Kaye), and Amber Rose, the VIP Meet and Greet with Zach before the main event, had around 40 people turn up for networking, canapes and wine, and to enjoy a seriously heartfelt shared hug with Zach. This was also the opportunity to hand him a copy of our latest Harvests Magazine, and discuss a little about Biodynamics in NZ.  

Also to talk with Geoff Ross and his manager/guide Richie from Lake Hawea Station in Central Otago who Charlie interviewed and stayed with before the Feilding Conference this year. 

Not surprisingly Zach finds while hugging his patients, that he can often experience, and diagnose what is going on for them, and why they are coming to see him. Somewhat different to the standard inevitable – “What are you coming to see me for” question I get on visiting medical practitioners!

This already set the scene for understanding how this remarkable man has been inspiring people around the world for some time now. In my limited experience, the ability to not only competently share scientific and medical knowledge, statistics, and research; but also deep spiritual experiences, knowledge, and wisdom in the same presentation is rare. 

There is a humbleness not often associated with the movers and shakers on the Global stage, who rub shoulders with politicians, corporates, and other FP’s (Famous People). The range of topics he covered was vast and extensive …look him up there’s lots of content available online, and Charlie Arnott has interviewed him in his Regenerative Podcasts. 

“Glysophate literally puts out the 10,000 x brighter than the sun light that michochondria and bacteria shine in the cells of all living things”.  

“Since the 1970’s all the drugs that have been manufactured since marijuana, to cocaine, MDMA, Ecstasy, and P etc, have been introduced to completely control the population, and have shut down the human nervous system completely.” 

“We are our own best tormentors if we keep on flipping the victim/perpetrator coin that constantly destroys everything that Nature has created, and the world is built on this long established pattern” 

“Stories shape our realities. Fear, guilt and shame will be transformed when we truly experience the pain, and feel not just the emotion but the true feeling as a whole. The future we can feel and know in our hearts will create our new world”. 

The main impression shared with the uplifting energy /being that filled the auditorium when Zach mentioned his experience in France at the Mary Magdalene/Mother Mary caves, is of a human being who is walking the talk, connecting like-minded souls around the world, very much in touch with his Higher Spirit Self. 

250 plus people attended the main event and Nicole Master’s storytelling, and history of dealing personally with the effects of paraquot chemical poisoning, and associated health issues from growing up playing in the biofuel runoff near Whenuapai Airforce base as a child, was a poignant reminder of NZ’s crazy love affair with chemical fertilisers and big Pharma products. 

Her 2 x sold out Integrity Soil based events organised by Soilsisters, are currently drawing much interest in NZ while she is here, and also around the world. A signed copy of Nicole’s excellent book “For the Love of Soil” will soon be available to borrow from BDNZ’s resource library….when I’ve finished reading it! 

“The first step is to dig a hole, get to know the root system”. “Biologically alive soils reconnect us to the landscape of life”. 

Dr Hugh Jellie realised that there had to be other ways to naturally support and work with animal health during his long career as a Vet, when a farmer client commented on how he couldn’t see that the health of his cows had deteriorated due to the increase of chemical fertilisers, and they looked fine. Hugh’s view was the opposite and so he started Ata Regenerative to educate others. 

Te Rangiheke’s warm hearted stories about growing kumuera for and with his whanau, working with students at local high schools, and inspiring community based projects in and around Rotorua through his work with Rotorua Kai, were interspersed with sharing his Redband gumboots with Angela Clifford though her sandals didn’t fit him or go too well with his outfit…He’s quietly observed how even the most difficult characters become transformed while having their hands and feet in the soil. 

Angela Clifford was the delightful MC and grows food on her permaculture Farm, showing people not only how to grow healthy, nutrient dense food, but also how to cook it. 

A lot of what I heard, I knew already, and while it was inspiring and uplifting and supportive,  knowing there is movement within the conventional agricultural realms, I wonder what the difference really is between Regenerative, Organic, Permaculture, and Biodynamics?  

The question that resonates most for me is would 250 plus people pay $195 to attend one of our BD events, and $350 for a VIP meet and greet?  

Who are BD’s Zach Bush’s and Nicole Masters? How do we best inspire others to step into Biodynamics? What do we need to change to meet this change in the world? Food for thought.