You may or may not have heard of rose hips before. I myself had never heard of it until I came across it, but now I’m here to boast of its amazing health benefits. If you want to learn more, keep reading!
What are Rose Hips?
Rose hips are actually a decorative fruit of the rose plant. Also called rose haw, rose hep, hibberries, dog rose, hip fruit, brier hip and hop fruit, their colour ranges from orange and red to dark purple and black, depending on the species. The fruit usually grows in early summer, becoming ripe in the late summer to autumn season. It has gained popularity due to its use in traditional Hungarian fruit wine. Rose hips usually come in two different varieties: rosa galica and rosa canina. These are native to Asia, North Africa and Europe. The fruit is usually harvested in late fall or after the first frost.
How to Consume Rose Hips
Rose hips have numerous uses. Mainly, they can be used to prevent certain types of illnesses including stomach illnesses and osteoarthritis. They can also be used as a mild laxative and diuretic, to reducing thirst and to treat gastric inflammation.
Here are some of the forms in which you can use rose hips:
Tea. The tea, like the fruit, has immune-boosting and anticancer properties. Furthermore, its antioxidant properties help reduce oxidative stress.
Powder. You can use the rose hips powder to prevent the common cold and other symptoms. This is particularly useful during changes in weather.
Syrup. Certain studies show that rose hips syrup can help treat arthritis pain. Furthermore, in addition to the vitamin C, an essential antioxidant, the syrup helps boost vitamin D levels. This can be beneficial if you are someone who doesn’t get a lot of sun.
Health Benefits of Rose Hips
Here are some of the best health benefits of rose hips:
Treats inflammation. Rose hips have anti-inflammatory properties which help prevent cartilage erosion.
Good for the heart. Rose hips powder helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the antioxidants and flavonoids in the fruit help protect the body against heart diseases.
Helps treat diabetes. One study shows that rose hip powder may help lower blood sugar levels and treat diabetes.
Helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis. Rose hips have a lot of fatty acids, which helps reduce arthritic pain.
Improves skin health. Rose hip oil penetrates deep into the layers of skin and improves its overall health. Furthermore, the vitamin C in it helps stimulate the production of collagen and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Rich vitamin C content. The fruit is very rich in vitamin C. In fact, it has 60 times more vitamin C than oranges. This means the fruit is beneficial in maintaining the health of blood vessels.
Helps lower cholesterol. Regular consumption of rose hip extract can help lower bad cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Regulates blood pressure. Rose hip may result in a significant drop in blood pressure.
Helps prevent cancer and chronic diseases. According to one study, there is a connection between rose hip extract and a reduction in the growth and migration of breast cancer. Furthermore, the carotenoid content of the fruit helps slow the growth of certain tumors.
Side Effects of Rose Hips
Most of the side effects of rose hips come from its excessive vitamin C content. Too much of this can have adverse effects, but in order to experience these you’ll need to be eating an unrealistic 100 grams of the fruit per day. Here are some of the side effects you might want to know:
Drug interaction. Rose hip may interact with some medications. Always seek a doctor’s advise before making any large dietary changes.
Kidney stones. Excessive consumption of vitamin C may cause kidney stones.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. There’s no reliable information about the side effects of rose hips in pregnant or breastfeeding women, but it must be taken into consideration.
