What Is Rosehip?
Rosehips are the seed-filled bulbs that grow at the base of the blossom of a wild rose called Rosa canina. Rosehips, which are sometimes called the fruit of the plant, are round or oval-shaped and usually orange or bright red. This rose grows mostly in Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. Typically, they're harvested after the first frost of the year.
Rosehips have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Native Americans have used rosehip tea to soothe sore throats and indigestion.
Ongoing research has focused on the antioxidant effects of the fruit and its natural compounds. Rosehips contain vitamins C, E, and B as well as other minerals and antioxidants. These include vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and healthy fatty acids. They also contain a substance that may ease inflammation.
What does rosehip taste like?
Rosehip has a sweet and sour taste.
Rosehip tea, which is brewed from fresh or dried rosehip fruits, has a floral flavor and a distinct tangy aftertaste. Some people have compared the taste to that of green apple, ripe plum, or hibiscus.
What Is Rosehip Tea?
Rosehip tea is an herbal tea brewed from ground rosehips. Usually, you add 1 teaspoon of rosehip powder to 1 cup of boiling water and drink it.
Rosehip tea nutrition
Any type of tea mostly consists of water. As such, the nutrients found in tea are generally diluted. Rosehip tea is no exception. A single teabag of rosehip tea, brewed in boiling water, has approximately:
- Calories: 3
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
As for vitamins and minerals, there’s very little vitamin C in rosehip tea despite its abundance in fresh rosehips. This is because the drying and storing process for rosehips rapidly reduces their vitamin C content. Some tea manufacturers fortify their products with added vitamin C to replace what was lost.
An 8-ounce (1 cup) serving of unfortified rosehip tea contains approximately 7.5 mg of vitamin C. The daily recommended amount of vitamin C for adults is between 75 and 120 mg.
Rosehip Benefits
Though research is still ongoing, rosehip may have many benefits, including:
Arthritis pain relief
Rosehip powder might help ease pain due to osteoarthritis. This supplement has been tested in many people with osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, hand, shoulder, neck, and other areas. A review of these studies shows that people who took the supplement had less pain after 3 months compared to a placebo (dummy pill).
A few studies show that rosehip may also help people with long-term back pain and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, studies on RA are conflicting. A small study shows that rosehip supplements do not affect RA pain.
Anti-inflammatory effects
Rosehip products have been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory effects. This is linked to a group of compounds found in the fruit called galactolipids. Unlike other common anti-inflammatory drugs, these compounds don't carry any ulcerative side effects.
Some doctors think rosehip might be an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Unlike NSAIDs, rosehip does not appear to thin the blood or cause stomach irritation and possible ulcers. More research is needed, though.
Lower blood sugar
In early animal studies, rosehip has been shown to lower glucose blood levels in a way similar to that of agents currently used to treat type 2 diabetes. While these results are promising, more research is needed to better understand the potential antidiabetic effects of rosehip.
Better heart health
An animal study with mice evaluated rosehip as a potential treatment for atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis causes plaques to develop in the arteries, which then increase your risk of stroke and heart attack. Results of the study indicated that rosehip may help prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Additionally, other early animal studies hint that a daily drink containing about 40 grams of rosehip powder may also:
- Lower cholesterol
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce obesity related to a high-fat diet
Rosehip Foods
You can't get rosehip naturally in foods. Rosehip comes from a certain wild rose. But rosehip can be added to some jams, jellies, and teas.
Rosehip Risks
Rosehip is generally considered safe when taken by mouth and used as directed.
Reported side effects have included:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Trouble sleeping
Rosehip supplements may raise your risk of certain types of kidney stones. High doses may lead to dangerous blood clots, called deep vein thrombosis.
Use caution when using this supplement if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There are no studies to determine if such use is safe.
You may not be able to safely take rosehip if you have:
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
- Hemochromatosis
- Sickle cell disease
- Sideroblastic anemia
- Thalassemia
Large amounts of vitamin C can interfere with blood-thinning medicines, such as Coumadin (warfarin). As rosehip contains vitamin C, use caution if you're taking these drugs.
Ask your doctor if rosehip supplements are safe for you if you take:
- Aspirin or other salicylates
- Estrogens
- Lithium
- Prolixin (fluphenazine, an antipsychotic drug)
Always tell your doctor about any supplements you're taking, including natural ones and those bought without a prescription. That way, your doctor can check on any potential side effects or interactions with any other medications you take. Rosehip may also interfere with certain blood tests.
Supplements are regulated by the FDA, but they use a different set of regulations than they do for “conventional” foods or medicine.
Can I take rosehip daily?
Yes, it's generally safe to take a rosehip supplement daily by mouth. More research is needed to confirm if the supplement can safely be applied to the skin.