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The Story Behind Our Rosehip Seed Oil
What is Rosehip Seed Oil?
Rosehip oil is a seed oil extracted from the ‘hip’ of the rose plant. Rosehip seed oil is mostly used for nutraceutical and cosmeceutical purposes because of its high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
The majority of our rosehips grow wild and are handpicked in the beautiful highlands of Lesotho, South Africa.
Our Supplier of Rosehip Seeds
Our supplier company is based in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho and was established in 2013. Rosehip was growing abundantly in natural un-spoilt country but was not really being utilized, as this is difficult in a country with low income and few export industries. However, three shareholders saw the opportunity to develop a rosehip business and take it internationally.
Organic certification was sought and secured, and with this it became possible to move Lesotho rosehip to a professional business providing a reliable product for export.
Is Rosehip Seed Oil Sustainable?
The harvesting process for Rosehip has minimal impact on the landscape, flora and fauna, and is mostly carried out by locals. The bushes grow with no agricultural assistance. The growth and harvest of bushes does not interfere with local farming and food security as there is no competition for cultivation. In fact, rosehip was probably introduced into the region in the 19th century to inhibit soil erosion on the slopes. All rosehips are handpicked by the local community. Mostly women pick the rosehip berries from the bushes, which is a very important source of income for the local community in the winter.
