Rose Hip
OTHER NAME(S): rose hip, rose hips, rosehip, rosehips
Overview
Rose hips are the berry-like fruits that grow on rose bushes after the rose petals have fallen off. They can be eaten raw or cooked. They are also used to make teas and dietary supplements. These products may be used to improve heart, skin, and joint health, but their benefits are not well defined. Common side effects may include diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, or an upset stomach. The oil from rose hip seeds is sometimes applied to the skin to help with scarring and other skin problems, but its benefits are unclear. Before using rose hip products, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are using.
Uses
What is rose hip used for?
Rose hip is sometimes used to prevent or treat low vitamin C levels. It is also used for many other reasons, although its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use rose hip include the following.
- Joint pain, including from osteoarthritis
- Scarring, including acne scars
- To improve heart health
- To improve the health and appearance of the skin
Note: Rose hip is available over the counter in skin care products and as a dietary supplement. The FDA has not reviewed rose hip for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about cosmetics here. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does rose hip work (mechanism of action)?
Rose hips are reddish-orange, berry-like fruits that grow on rose bushes each year after the rose petals have fallen off. They may be eaten raw or cooked and are also used to make teas and dietary supplements. The oil from rose hip seeds is sometimes added to skin care products. Although rose hip products may come from many different species of rose, most are made from Rosa canina (the dog rose).
All forms of rose hip are rich in vitamin C and can increase your vitamin C levels. Within your body, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and helps build protein and maintain a healthy immune system. Rose hip also contains quercetin and catechin. These chemicals can help reduce swelling (inflammation) and act as antioxidants. For these reasons, rose hip products are taken by mouth for many different purposes, including heart health, skin health, and joint problems. But their benefits for these uses are not well defined, and it is not clear if rose hip is helpful for any use.
Skin care products that contain rose hip seed oil are often used to help with wrinkles and scars, including scars caused by acne. This oil contains high levels of fatty acids, vitamin C, and other nutrients that are thought to help improve the health of the skin. Although some research shows that rose hip seed oil may help improve the appearance of scars, it is not clear if it works better than other oils that are used for this same purpose. It is also not clear whether rose hip oil can help with other skin problems or improve skin health.
Herbal products, such as rose hip, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific rose hip product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.
How should I store rose hip?
You should store rose hip according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of rose hip?
The most common side effects of rose hip are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
There may be other side effects of rose hip that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of rose hip?
While less common, the most serious side effects of rose hip are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Rose hip may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using rose hip and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Precautions
Who should not use rose hip?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use rose hip.
- Rose hip
- Rosehip
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific rose hip products they stock.
What should I know about rose hip before using it?
Rose hip is available as teas, dietary supplements, and in skin care products. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep rose hip out of the reach of children.
Herbal products, such as rose hip, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific rose hip product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way it was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
Rose hip is available in many different forms, including as a liquid extract, dried ground powder, tea, or capsule. It can also be eaten raw or cooked. Rose hip seed oil may be found in products that are applied to the skin. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals that are naturally found in rose hips.
The FDA has not tested rose hip products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.
What should I tell my health care provider before using rose hip?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if rose hip is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.
- Kidney stones
- Other kidney problems, including dialysis
- High iron levels, such as iron overload or hemochromatosis
- Treatment for cancer, including radiation or chemotherapy
Other Medicines and Supplements.Rose hip may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking rose hip, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how rose hip could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. Some of the substances in rose hip, such as vitamin C, pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does rose hip interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between rose hip and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect rose hip.
Does rose hip interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking rose hip.
- A statin, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor and others) or rosuvastatin (Crestor), which is a medicine used to lower cholesterol
- Chemotherapy, which is a type of medicine used to treat cancer
The interactions between rose hip and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with rose hip is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking rose hip with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much rose hip?
If you or someone else has used too much rose hip, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use rose hip safely. Do not use double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- Australian Family Physician: “Rosehip: an evidence based herbal medicine for inflammation and arthritis.”
- Clinical Interventions in Aging: “The effectiveness of a standardized rose hip powder, containing seeds and shells of Rosa canina, on cell longevity, skin wrinkles, moisture, and elasticity.”
- Cureus: “Effects of daily intake of rosehip extract on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood glucose levels: a systematic review.”
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Effects of rose hip intake on risk markers of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease- a randomized, double-blind, cross-over investigation in obese persons.”
- Frontiers in Pharmacology: “Unveiling the mechanisms for the development of rosehip-based
- dermatological products: an updated review.”
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences: “Therapeutic applications of rose hips from different Rosa species.”
- Nutrients: “Using dose–response correlation re-analyzing to distinguish placebo from standardized rose-hip powder (Lito) in a clinical trial on osteoarthritis where data initially looked identical.”
- Osteoarthritis and Cartilage: “Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.”