Rosehips and inflammation

The fruits (hips) of the dog rose, Rosa canina, have been recorded as being an effective remedy for numerous inflammatory disorders in a variety of folk medicine traditions. Examples include arthritis, gout, haemorrhoids and inflammation in the intestine. Certainly, many herbalists add rosehips to a prescription of other herbs for people with these conditions.

Rosa canina (rosehip)

Active constituents contained in rosehips include phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, tannins, flavonoids, unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, minerals, galactolipids and carotenoids (Chrubasik, 2008).

Preparing rosehip tincture

Although numerous studies conclude that rosehip preparations can be more effective than some orthodox medications, it has not yet been decided which of the constituents in rosehips bring about this anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effect.

This is a common theme throughout herbal medicine, and is thought to be because several constituents contained in the whole plant are required to work together to achieve the effect, for example, one constituent improving the absorption of others. It is frequently found that isolating (and sometimes strengthening) the constituents presumed to be the important ones, can actually either reduce the therapeutic effect, or bring about side-effects - so this is why herbalists use the "real" plant rather than a chemically altered version. Indeed, this is also the reason why herbalists combine several herbs in a prescription - to increase effectiveness and offset any adverse effects.

Here are my gathered rosehips, tincturing, soon to be pressed and bottled - although I did have to decant some off yesterday for someone who just couldn't wait!

Rosehips, tincturing

Here are some studies if you want to read more!

Bohm, V., Frohlich, K., Bitsch, R. (2003). Rosehip - a "new" source of lycopene? Molecular Aspects of Medicine 24 385-389

Christensen, R., Bartels, E.M., Altman, R.D., Astrup, A., Bliddal, H. (2008). Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? - a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 16 965-972

Chrubasik, C., Roufogalis, B.D., Muller-Ladner, U., Chrubasik, S. (2008). A systematic review on the Rosa canina effect and efficacy profiles. Phytotherapy Research 22 725-733

Lattanzio, F., Greco, E., Carretta, D., Cervellati, R., Govoni, P., Speroni, E. (2011). In vivo anti-inflammatory effect of Rosa canina L. extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 137 880-885

Orhan, D.D., Hartevioglu, A., Kupeli, E., Yesilada, E. (2007). In vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of the crude extract and fractions from Rosa canina L. fruits. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 112 394-400