Rose Hip Tea Remedy

Rose hip tea offers more than an aromatic and delightful tea. Rose hips contain essential nutrients and phytochemicals, which make rose hips a favored herbal tea remedy. Rose hip tea has high concentrations of vitamin C and may ease organ and inflammation disorders.

Identification

• Rose hips are the red bulbous fruit found on rose bushes. Often found on dog rose bushes when the flowers are not cut, rose hips are used to make infusions, decoctions and other blends for internal and external health and refreshment purposes. According to Holistic Online, brier hip or rose hip grows grows wild from Nova Scotia to Virginia and Tennessee.

Features

• Rose hip tea offers the vitamins, nutrients and phytochemical contents of rose hips. Relaxation at Home reports, in some rose hips, vitamin C concentrations of up to 40 percent more than in oranges. Some rose hips have higher concentrations of calcium, selenium and vitamins A, B-complex and E. According to Phyllis Balch in "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," rose hips contain phytochemicals including beta carotene, flavonoids, lycopene and lutein.

Benefits

• According to Holistic Online, rose hips have multiple health benefits. Rose hip tea is effective for digestive disorders and acts as a diuretic. Rose hips can prevent or stop kidney stones and is recommended for urinary inflammation. Rose hip tea is an effective treatment for diarrhea. Rose hip can be consumed as infusion (tea) or decoction.

Studies

• In its Herbal Remedies section, the website, Health News cites a 2007 study, a German and Danish clinical trial, which studied the effect of rose hips on rheumatoid arthritis. The study had mixed but promising results. Reportedly, participants who received rose hips experienced nearly 25 percent relief from symptoms. These participants' joint pain reduced 40 percent. The placebo group showed no improvement. (See Additional Resources)

Dosages

• To make rose hip tea, add 1 to 2 tsp. seedless rose hips to 1 cup boiling distilled water. Infuse for 5 to 8 minutes. Add local raw honey and lemon to taste. Rose hips are bitter fruit. While rose hip tea has an astringent quality, it is refreshing and pleasant to the taste.