Rosehip Maybe Better Than Arthritis Pain Killers

The pain-relieving properties of Rosehip has been linked to reduced inflammation in osteoarthritis.

Also called the rose haw – rose hip – is the pomaceous fruit of the rose plant — typically red to orange but may be dark purple to black in some species.

Rose hips of some species, especially Rosa canina (Dog Rose), have been used as a source of Vitamin C. Rose hips are commonly used as an herbal tea, often blended with hibiscus and as an oil. They can also be used to make jam, jelly and marmalade. Rose hip soup, “Nyponsoppa”, is especially popular in Sweden. Rhodomel, a type of mead, is made with rose hips.

Now, speaking of a wild variety of Rosa Canina — it has recently been found by researchers to be better than paracetamol as pain killer in osteoarthritis patients.

A review of studies, published in the medical journal, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, looked at the effect of the powder on more than 300 patients who were given different pain-relieving medications for an average of three months.

They found that rosehip was almost three times more effective than standard paracetamol at relieving pain. It was also almost 40 per cent more effective than another common therapy, the drug glucosamine.

Rosehip powder also did not have the side-effects associated with other pain medications, including constipation and
drowsiness.

The team which conducted the study, led by Dr Robin Christensen, of the Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen, believes the powder works by also tackling the inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

According to Dr Kaj Winther, an inflammation specialist at the Frederiksberg Hospital:

“This is very exciting news for arthritis sufferers. Some of the main advantages of taking an alternative medication such as rosehip 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.”

Honestly, I am a promoter of natural treatments, especially for arthritis pain. I am a little wary of being dependent on pain killers as I have osteoarthritis myself. I wouldn’t want the time to come that I will be popping them like candies.

Thereby, I am particularly interested in alternative pain relievers such as rose hip mentioned in the above study.

Recently I have been using ginger rub and the effects are just fantastic. I will write about it on a separate post.

Well…in time there will be more than just rose hip tea but maybe rose hip pills. Why not?!

Find more details from The UK Telegraph.