A rose hip is the seed pod of a wild rose plant. Various wild rose species can be utilized as the source of rose hips. Traditionally, rose hips have been used to treat arthritis, colds and flus, indigestion, bladder stones, and gonorrhea.
Rose hips are primarily used today as a natural source of
vitamin C
. There is no evidence that the vitamin C in rose hips is any better than synthetic vitamin C (the most common form of the vitamin), but those who prefer to use truly natural products can do so by using the herb instead of the chemical. Like other plant sources of vitamin C, rose hips also contain substances in the
bioflavonoid
family. Information on the potential benefits of these two rose hips constituents can be found in the respective articles.
Some evidence from double-blind, placebo-controlled studies hints that rose hips might have value for
osteoarthritis
.
3-5
Very weak evidence hints that whole rose hips might be useful for prevention of
cancer
,
1
and, possibly, treatment or prevention of
kidney stones
.
2
Dosage of rose hips products is generally adjusted to supply the desired amount of vitamin C and bioflavonoids.
As yet, there are no known or suspected safety issues with rose hips.
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In vitro cytotoxic effect of some medicinal plants containing flavonoids.
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Grases F, Masarova L, Costa-Bauza A, March JG, Prieto R, Tur JA. Effect of "Rosa Canina" infusion and magnesium on the urinary risk factors of calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
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1992;58:509-512.
Rossnagel K, Willich SN. Value of complementary medicine exemplified by rose-hips [in German].
Gesundheitswesen.
2001;63:412-416.
Chrubasik C, Duke RK, Chrubasik S, et al. The evidence for clinical efficacy of rose hip and seed: a systematic review.
Phytother Res.
2006 Jan 5. [Epub ahead of print]
Rossnagel K, Roll S, Willich SN. The clinical effectiveness of rosehip powder in patients with osteoarthritis [a systematic review].
MMW Fortschr Med.
2007;149:51-56.
Last reviewed October 2007 by EBSCO CAM Review Board
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