CHURCHILL’S wartime Government urged the nation to grow them for their health giving properties. The Vikings used them to stave off scurvy at sea. But an increasing amount of new research suggests the humble rosehip could prove to be exceptionally useful in the modern day health arena too.

Here we provide a guide to the latest scientific studies which have linked this herbal remedy to conditions including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

ROSEHIPS AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
New research (ref 1) has found that rosehips could ease the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists found that after taking rosehip extract for six months, patients who had previously been treated with standard drugs showed a ‘significant improvement’ in their condition. Patients also reported a better quality of life and less pain.

Around 400,000 people in Britain suffer this painful condition in which the body’s immune system attacks joints and damages bone and cartilage. The scientists behind the research, led by Professor Stefan Willich of the Charite University Medical Centre in Berlin, are now set to perform more tests to see if the red berries could form the basis of an alternative treatment for the condition.

ROSEHIPS AND OSTEOARTHRITIS
A study published in 2005 in the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology (ref 2) found that rosehips may help reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients. After just three weeks patients taking rosehip extract found an 82 per cent drop in pain.

An earlier study (ref 3) also found that those who took the supplement only needed half as many traditional painkillers. Nine million people in Britain suffer from painful joints.

THE SCIENCE
Both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are conditions in which inflammation plays an important role. Rosehips contain chemicals called tannins, polypenols, flavonoids and fatty oils which are recognised by scientists for their anti-inflammatory properties.  It is thought that rosehip also contains an anti-inflammatory compound called galacto lipid which may help to relieve pain. Rosehip is also a good source of vitamins A, C and E and carotenoids such as beta carotene, lycopene and lutein which scientists agree all boost the immune system.

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REFERENCES
1. Can patients with rheumatoid arthritis benefit from the herbal remedy rose-hip? : A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial January-June 2007 by Rossnagel K , Roll S, Wagner A, Mune O, Erlendsson J, Kharazmi A, Sörensen H, Willich SN, Winther K
2. Scandanavian Journal of Rheumatology (August 2005)
3. Phytomedicine 11, Rein, Kharzami, Winther (January 2004)