Herbs and plantsRose hips—more vitamin C than lemons, yet we buy tablets?
Sources: 8 · Article: 9 284 characters
The list also includes colds, fever, inflammation of the urinary tract, digestive system and skin, as well as rheumatic complaints.
- The compounds are credited with anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects, supporting immunity and strengthening blood vessels.
- The amount of vitamin C in the fruit depends on how it is dried, and improper processing can greatly reduce it.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
The indications include vitamin deficiencies and recovery, as well as various ailments, including colds, fever, inflammation and rheumatic problems.
„Indications: recovery, vitamin deficiencies and increased vitamin requirements (physical and mental exertion, cancer, infectious diseases, heavy menstruation, lactation, pregnancy, impaired digestion and absorption syndrome), allergic, rheumatic and vascular diseases; hypertension; benign prostatic enlargement; inflammation of the urinary and reproductive systems; chronic skin diseases; inflammation of the intestines and stomach; ulcers, erosions and bleeding gums, periodontitis. Colds, fever.”Wskazania: rekonwalescencja, niedobory witamin i zwiększone zapotrzebowanie na witaminy (wysiłek fizyczny i psychiczny, nowotwory, choroby zakaźne, intensywne miesiączkowanie, laktacja, ciąża, zespół zaburzonego trawienia i wchłaniania), choroby alergiczne, reumatyczne, naczyniowe; nadciśnienie; przerost gruczołu krokowego; stany zapalne układu moczowego i płciowego; przewlekłe choroby skórne; stany zapalne jelit i żołądka; owrzodzenia, nadżerki i krwawienie dziąseł, zapalenie przyzębia. Przeziębienie, gorączka.
Henryk Różański
Rose hips are credited with anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects, supporting immunity and strengthening blood vessels.
„Phytopharmacological and health-promoting effects: nourishing and strengthening, anti-scurvy, mildly laxative (oxalates, polysaccharides, malic, citric and succinic acids), diuretic (vitamin C, malic and succinic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids); anti-inflammatory and anti-exudative (flavonoids, galactolipid, phytosterols, catechins), detoxifying (saponins, polyphenols, organic acids), prebiotic (organic acids, pectins), immunostimulatory (vitamin C in complexes with anthocyanins and flavonoids, carotenoids, manganese, copper). Strengthens and seals blood vessels (anthocyanins, bioflavonoids); mildly calming effect (flavonoid glycosides).”Działanie fitofarmakologiczne i prozdrowotne: odżywcze i wzmacniające, przeciwszkorbutowe, lekko rozwalniające (szczawiany, polisacharydy, kwas jabłkowy, cytrynowy, bursztynowy), moczopędne (witamina C, kwas jabłkowy i bursztynowy, antocyjany, flawonoidy); przeciwzapalne i przeciwwysiękowe (flawonoidy, galaktolipid, fitosterole, katechiny), odtruwające (saponiny, polifenole, kwasy organiczne), prebiotyczne (kwasy organiczne, pektyny), immunostymulujące (witamina C w kompleksach z antocyjanami i flawonoidami, karotenoidy, mangan, miedź). Wzmacnia i uszczelnia naczynia krwionośne (antocyjany, bioflawonoidy); słabe działanie uspokajające (glikozydy flawonoidowe).
Henryk Różański
The compound GOPO is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic effects and to be useful for osteoarthritis.
„The galactolipid called GOPO consists of glycerol and two C18 fatty acids (triple-unsaturated), joined to galactose (a glycosidic bond at C-3). This compound has anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic effects and is particularly useful in treating osteoarthritis. The polyphenol content of rose hips is 2–2.64%, leucoanthocyanins 1.35–1.75%, and catechins 0.8–0.91%.”Galaktolipid o nazwie GOPO zbudowany jest z glicerolu, dwóch kwasów tłuszczowych C18 (trójnienasyconych), połączonych z galaktozą (wiązanie glikozydowe przy C-3). Związek ten działa przeciwzapalnie i przeciwreumatycznie i jest szczególnie przydatny w leczeniu osteoarthritis. Zawartość polifenoli w owocach róży wynosi 2-2,64%, leukoantocyjanów 1,35-1,75%, katechin 0,8-0,91%.
Andrzej Frydrychowski
Rose hips are said to support kidney and bladder function and provide natural antioxidants.
„Lecithin is obtained from vegetable oils or egg yolks.
• Rose hips support kidney and bladder function. They are a source of natural antioxidants. Amla (Indian gooseberry) supports digestive-system health and normal bowel motility.”Lecytynę uzyskuje się z olejów roślinnych lub żółtek jaj.
• Dzika róża wspiera czynność nerek i pęcherza moczowego. Stanowi źródło naturalnych antyoksydantów. Amla (liściokwiat) wspiera zdrowie układu żołądkowo-jelitowego oraz prawidłową motorykę jelitową.
Henryk Różański
Vitamin C content in the fruit varies, and fruit that is dried improperly may contain little or only trace amounts.
„Vitamin content of the wild rose fruit
Vitamin A (carotenoids)
Vitamin E (tocopherols)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin PP (niacin)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Mineral content of the wild rose fruit
1000 ug (1 mg)/100 g
1800 ug (1.8 mg)/100 g
Vitamin C content in the fruit varies: up to 5% in fresh fruit and 0.5–2% in dried fruit. Fruit dried improperly—dried for too long, in light, or at too high a temperature (above 45 degrees C)—has a low or even trace amount of ascorbic acid.”Składnik witaminowy owocu róży dzikiej
Witamina A (karotenoidy)
Witamina E (tokoferole)
Witamina B1 (tiamina)
Witamina B2 (ryboflawina)
Witamina PP (niacyna)
Witamina B6 (pirydoksyna)
Witamina C (kwas askorbinowy)
Składnik mineralny owocu róży dzikiej
1000 ug (1 mg)/100 g
1800 ug (1,8 mg)/100 g
Zawartość witaminy C w owocach jest różna: w świeżych do 5%, w suszonych 0,5-2%. Źle suszone owoce, zbyt długo, na świetle, w nadmiernej temperaturze (powyżej 45 stopni C) mają niską, a nawet śladową zawartość kwasu askorbinowego.
Henryk Różański
Rose-hip juice may be presented as a source of vitamin C despite processing that reduces its content.
„It is scandalous to claim on rose-hip juice labels that the juice is supposedly a wonderful source of vitamin C, only to find that the rose hips were dried at 100 degrees C, first scalded in a tank, or treated with UV light for microbiological decontamination. The fruit was then boiled, the juice filtered, and finally a label was added saying that the product contains vitamin C.”Skandaliczne jest pisanie na sokach z dzikiej róży, jakie to niby wspaniałe źródło witaminy C, a okazuje się, że owoc róży był suszony w temp. 100 stopni C, wcześniej jeszcze się zaparzył w zbiorniku, albo został potraktowany UV dla oczyszczenia mikrobiologicznego. Potem takie owoce były wygotowane, sok filtrowany, a na końcu przyklejono etykietę, że produkt zawiera witaminę C.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 15.
A laboratory study found that rose-hip extracts protected red blood cells against oxidative stress.
Aim of the study: Rose hips are popular in health-promoting products because the fruits contain high levels of bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the health benefits are attributable to ascorbic acid, phenols, or other compounds derived from rose hips.
Results: Removing ascorbic acid from this extract increased protection against oxidative stress to 67.9 ± 1.9%. Protection from the 20% and 100% methanol extracts was 20.8 ± 8.2% and 5.0 ± 3.2%, respectively. Antioxidant uptake was confirmed by measuring catechin by HPLC-ESI-MS in the 20% methanol extract. The fact that all the sequentially eluted extracts studied contributed to protective effects on erythrocytes indicates that rose hips provide a promising level of clinically relevant antioxidant protection.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · Swedish Research Council for the Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Extracts from the wild rose species studied showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in laboratory tests.
Aim of the study: Indigenous traditional knowledge and Western science have revealed the potential for significant nutritional and therapeutic benefits from natural antioxidants. We investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of rose-hip extracts (Rosa nutkana, Rosa pisocarpa and Rosa woodsii) from wild populations in British Columbia using liposome oxidation and disc diffusion assays.
Results: Rosa woodsii seed extracts had a higher phenolic concentration and greater antioxidant activity than pericarp extracts. Antioxidant activity was correlated with antimicrobial activity, and both extracts showed antimicrobial activity against yeast and Gram-positive bacteria. Our study is the first to demonstrate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of wild roses in British Columbia. The effectiveness of selected species compared with standards demonstrates the importance of this natural resource for the continued health of human populations, and the need for conservation practices.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Even though I had meanwhile landed a full NIH (National Institute of Health) biomedical engineering fellowship to pursue a PhD, I also decided to leave academia and return to my roots in the construction industry.”Even though in the meantime I had landed a full NIH (National Institute of Health) biomedical engineering fellowship to get a PhD, I also decided to leave academia to return to my roots in the construction industry.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„One measure of success in educating the public about the health benefits of vitamin D is the rising trend in vitamin D supplement use. A paper published in JAMA reported that the use of vitamin D supplements containing ≥ 1000 IU among adults rose from 0.4% in 2003–2004 to 18.2% in 2013–2014 [Rooney, 2017]. In addition, use of >4000 IU vitamin D supplements rose to 3.9% among non-Hispanic whites, 2.0% among non-Hispanic blacks, 1.8% among Hispanics, and 3.3% among Asian Americans.”One measure of success in educating the public of the health benefits of vitamin D is the increasing trend towards taking vitamin D supplements. A paper published in JAMA reported that the use of ≥ 1000 IU vitamin D supplements among adults rose from 0.4% in 2003-2004 to 18.2% in 2013-2014 [Rooney, 2017]. In addition, use of >4000 IU vitamin D supplements rose to 3.9% for non-Hispanic whites, 2.0% for non-Hispanic blacks, 1.8% for Hispanics, and 3.3% for Asian Americans.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Yoshiji S, Inagaki N (2025) Cardiovascular and kidney benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists across large randomized placebo-controlled trials. Journal of Diabetes Investigation Oct 5. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41047752 51. Orchard JW, Tutt L, Hines A, Orchard JJ (2025) Associations between common hip and knee osteoarthritis treatments and all-cause mortality. Healthcare 13:2229. PMID: 40941581 52. Garg S, Qapaja T, Hamid O et al. (2025) All-cause mortality and gastrointestinal adverse effects in adults with type 2 diabetes on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists vs sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Gastro Hep Advances 4:100736.”Yoshiji S, Inagaki N (2025) Cardiovascular and kidney benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists across large randomized placebo-controlled trials. Journal of Diabetes Investigation Oct 5. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41047752 51. Orchard JW, Tutt L, Hines A, Orchard JJ (2025) Associations between common hip and knee osteoarthritis treatments and all-cause mortality. Healthcare 13:2229. PMID: 40941581 52. Garg S, Qapaja T, Hamid O et al. (2025) All-cause mortality and gastrointestinal adverse effects in adults with type 2 diabetes on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists vs sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Gastro Hep Advances 4:100736.
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