Rosehip - Natural remedy of the month

NATURAL REMEDY OF THE MONTH - Rosehip

This month we are looking at Rose hip

The benefits of rose hips have been known for centuries. Historians say the Vikings used rosehips to stave off scurvy on their long sea voyages. Certainly in the past rose hips have been used across the world to treat a number of conditions, from arthritis, colds and flu to bladder stones and premature ageing.

During World War II rose hip syrup was an important source of vitamin C for children.  English children were paid 3d per lb for rosehips harvested in the autumn to be made into rose hip syrup by the company Delrosa in Wallsend (near Newcastle).  For many years after the war, Delrosa brand Rose Hip Syrup was supplied for babies.

The good news is that modern research shows all these people were right and rose hips have enormous health benefits. There are different species of rose hips and some are better for specific purposes. For instance, the Rosa canina or Dog Rose, is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C.

Rose hips also contain vitamins A, D and E; some essential fatty acids and antioxidant flavonoids. GOPO is one of the key ingredients of rose hip, an anti-inflammatory that can help to keep joints lubricated and pain-free.

A respected journal, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, reported that rose hip may be better to tackle the pain from osteoarthritis than paracetamol.

Analysis revealed that the pain relief obtained from rose hip extract was significant compared with that obtained from paracetamol, and patients on rose hip extract were also able to reduce their intake of pharmaceutical drugs such as opioids.

Dr Winther, of Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen, confirms that rose hips can be very good news for arthritis sufferers and especially for those who rely heavily on strong, potentially dangerous, pain relieving medications.

“Some of the main advantages of taking an alternative medication such as rose hip to reduce pain are that, firstly, it is readily available over-the-counter and, secondly, unlike traditional painkillers, it does not produce unpleasant side effects,” he said.

Rose hips are also used to make herbal tea, jams, jellies, syrups, pies and even bread and marmalade. They are quite pretty and are sometimes grown as simply an ornamental plant, especially the species rosa moyesii, which has prominent large red bottle-shaped fruits.

If in any doubt about any of the information covered in health and nutrition related articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.

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