Rose hips and other parts of the rose plant have traditionally been used as folk medicine and as a nutritional food source in many countries and cultures around the globe, including the indigenous peoples of the Americas, China, Japan, Scotland, Turkey, Spain, and other Mediterranean countries. Traditionally, rose hip has been used to supplement the diet, especially during food shortages.
Rose hips are the fruits that develop from the blossoms of the wild rose. They are typically orange to red in color, but some species may be purple or black. Rose hips have traditionally been used to treat and prevent respiratory infections, gallstones, and ulcers. They have also been used to treat inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, and as a tonic for the stomach and the kidneys.
What does Rose Hip do and what is the evidence?
The strongest evidence currently available supports the use of a rose hip fruit juice extract to boost the antioxidant status in adults and for the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis. Some very preliminary data indicates that constituents of rose hips, may have immune-boosting properties. This may be due to their vitamin C status which is estimated at 1,700-2,000mg of vitamin C per 100g. There also appears to be a variety of potential applications for the topical use of Rosa spp., including wound healing with rose hip oil and the treatment of dysmenorrhea with a combination aromatherapy oil preparation.
Antioxidant
The putative health benefits of Rosa roxburghii (RR) fruit extracts have been associated with its antioxidant components, including ascorbic acid, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and polyphenols. Prior research with aged individuals showed that supplementation with RR extract resulted in increased catalase and SOD activity and reduced glutathione in the blood.
Post operative wound healing
Rosa canina, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties via its inhibitory effects on chemotaxis of human peripheral blood neutrophils in vitro . Rose hip contains several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin E, calcium, zinc, and carotenoids, which could potentially promote wound healing when applied to the skin.
Cholesterol
Preclinical evidence suggests that phenolic compounds from rose hip has been shown to protect LDL against oxidation, exert strong free radical-scavenging activity, and reduce oxidative damage.
Osteoarthritis
Rose hip has traditionally been used by herbalists as an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent and in research has demonstrated demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties . In one study in particular, there was a highly significant improvement in symptoms including joint stiffness, stiffness in the morning, pain in the morning, sleep quality, mood, and general well-being with3 months of treatment. Subsequently participants were able to reduce their use of ‘rescue’ medication such as NSAIDS.
Eye disorders
Preliminary evidence suggests that rose hip may contribute to the treatment of a variety of ophthalmic disorders. More research is needed to determine if rose hip is an effective treatment for eye disorders but the results so far look promising.
Dose
5000mg daily is recommended to support antioxidant status. For osteoarthritis, evidence suggest 5g daily (five 0.5g capsules, taken twice a day) for 3 months.
Caution:
Use under the guidance of your medical practitioner if you are using immune system stimulants, blood thinning anti-coagulants, or anti-platelet aggregating agents. Avoid if you have an allergy to rose hip.
References
Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2005 Nov;56(7):529-42.The gathering and consumption of wild edible plants in the Campoo (Cantabria, Spain). Pardo-de-Santayana M, Tardío J, Morales R.
J Nat Prod. 2003 Jul;66(7):994-5.An antiinflammatory galactolipid from rose hip (Rosa canina) that inhibits chemotaxis of human peripheral blood neutrophils in vitro.Larsen E, Kharazmi A, Christensen LP, Christensen SB.
Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1993 Oct;116(10):393-5.The effect of natural polyphenol compounds on the oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins. Dushkin MI, Zykov AA, Pivovarova EN.
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