Swedish women have long been known for their beauty.  Sweden, a little, far-away Scandinavian country, has produced more internationally known beauties than any other country in the world.  In fact, the export of beautiful stars to the glamorous world of entertainment is “the biggest industry” in Sweden.  Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, Inger Stevents, Signe Hasso, Maj Zetterling, Anita Ekberg, Ann-Margaret, May Britt, Britt Sellers–these are just a few of the more familiar names. 

Is it a coincidence that this small country dominates the market of themost beautiful women in the world?  Or do the Swedish women truly have their own secrets of beauty aids that are unknown to us? 

Swedish women have used for centuries, and continue to use now, certain elements in their daily diet and beauty care which the latest scientific research has proven to be miraculous beauty aids.

Rose Hips  -  Swedish Beauty Secret

The beautiful rose is without doubt the queen of the flower kingdom.  The rose is the symbol of romance and beauty.  It has been the inspiration of poets and artists.  The delicate natural fragrance of the rose is extracted and made into perfumes and beautifying rose waters.  The rose-petal extract has been used by beauty conscious women around the world for centuries. 

But beauty-conscious Swedish women eat the rose!

Yes, the fruit of the rose - rose hips - has been for hundreds of years and still is an every day food on the Swedish table.  Rose hips are the full-ripened orange-red fruits, about the size of a cherry, just below the rose flower.  They are picked in the late fall, just before the frost destroys them.  All roses have “hips”, but only certain species of the rose have a fruit suitable for food.  Rose Villosa and Rose Canina are two fruit-bearing varieties of roses which are grown predominantly in cold northern climates.  The most common fruit-bearing variety in the United States is Rosa Rugosa.  In Scandinavia there are wide areas covered with wild rose bushes from which Swedes pick “hips” in the fall. 

Rose hips are used very extensively in the Swedish diets.  Swedes make nutritious soups, delicious teas, jellies, and other dessers from them.  Rose hips in Sweden positively do not have the flair of a fad-food about them.  All Swedes use rose hips.  They are sold in various forms in all food stores and are a staple food in the humble cottage as well as in the king’s castle. 

What does all this have to do with Swedish beauty?  The fact is, it has a lot to do with their beauty.  Rose hips are a number one beauty aid of Swedish women!  Russians call them “vitamin roses”, and they most certainly are!  Rose hips contain more vitamin C than any other known natural source - twenty to forty times more than oranges!  Rose hips are also rich in bioflavonoids, or vitamin P, and many other vitamins and minerals. 

Here’s how rose hips compare with oranges:  They have 28% more calcium.  They have 25% more iron.  They have 25 times more Vitamin A!  They have 20 to 40 times more vitamin C.

Most of us are aware of the indispensable value of vitamins C and A for health.  They are used in treatment of colds, infections, skin disorders, and many other diseases.  Vitamin A has long been associated with the health of the skin and many beauty-conscious women have been using vitamin A preparations and foods rich in vitamin A (carrot juice) to enhance their complexion.  But how many have though of vitamin C as absolutely indespensible for the healthy and youthful complexion? 

The latest scientific research discoveries have shown that the aging processes and the degenerative changes of the skin, wrinkles, flabbiness, discolorations, etc. are caused by physiological changes in collagen — the intercellular cement substance.  This deterioration is affected primarily by the deficiency of vitamin C in the tissues.  Sufficient vitamin C in the diet will keep the collagen strong and elastic, which will result in a tight skin and a smooth and beautiful complexion. 

Incorporating the Swedish beauty secret - rose hips - into your life will make you feel, and look healthier, younger and more beautiful. 

This entry was posted Thursday, April 28th, 2011 at 7:07 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.