Rosehip Tea: Benefits And Precautions
Rosehip tea is a natural drink obtained, as the name implies, from the berries of rosehips. These rosehips, also called rose petals, are the rounded part of the flower located just below the petals. It is from this part of the plant that rose seeds, essential oils and extracts are used, which are widely used today for both medical and cosmetic purposes.
But what are the main benefits of rosehip? And how safe is it to use? In recent years, several studies have focused on the health effects of rosehip. Based on these results, it can be said today that rosehip can prevent the development of some diseases. Let’s take a closer look at the topic below.
Rosehip tea
Many of the benefits of rosehip tea have been documented all the way down to the scientific literature. For example, the International Journal of Molecular Sciences has emphasized that rosehips have antioxidant effects in terms of their phytochemical composition, which includes the following ingredients:
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Vitamin E.
- Polyphenols
- Healthy fatty acids
At the same time, however, it is good to keep in mind that this does not automatically mean that this product would cure diseases or miraculously help improve health. You can simply promote your well-being through both a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. In this sense, rosehip tea is great for supplementing a balanced diet. We’ll tell you a little more about its best health features below.
Rosehip tea can boost the health of the immune system
Due to its vitamin C and flavonoid content, rosehip tea is considered a natural helper to stimulate the immune system. Indeed, a study published in the Chemistry Central Journal has highlighted that this plant contains significant amounts of ascorbic acid, polyphenols and other phytochemicals that help improve the body’s own defenses.
An animal study published in the scientific journal BioImpacts, in turn, found that the administration of concentrated rosehip as a supplement helped to improve the immune system of experimental animals. However, insufficient studies have yet been performed in humans to demonstrate these effects.
Rosehip tea is good for digestive health
First of all, it is good to clarify that rosehip tea alone is not enough to relieve gastrointestinal diseases. But due to its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant effects, rosehip tea helps to soothe stomach cramps, heartburn, swelling and many other stomach ailments, among other things.
Indeed, a shared in vitro study in Botanics: Targets and Therapy has highlighted that rosehips contain pectin and other fibers of this type, which help promote better digestion and improve nutrient absorption. In addition, the flavonoids contained in rosehip help to form effective digestive enzyme complexes, which in turn promote more efficient food breakdown.
Rosehip tea reduces inflammation and pain
The pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of rosehip are not the most effective and are still being studied. Nevertheless, rosehip appears to be a useful aid in the treatment of inflammatory disorders that cause pain, including arthritis. According to information shared in the Australian publication Family Physician, substances in rosehip, such as polyphenols and galactolipids, are responsible for this effect.
It helps protect the skin from premature aging
There are several reasons why the use of rosehip is so strongly associated with better skin health. First, one major cause is the vitamin C content of rosehip, which promotes collagen synthesis and protects cells from sun-induced damage, as shown by a study published in Nutrients.
On the other hand, rosehip contains a substance known as astaxanthin, which appears to have anti-aging effects. Indeed, studies published in the medical journal Clinical Interventions in Aging have shown that the supplements contained in rosehip help prevent the breakdown of collagen and thereby also improve the condition of the skin.
Precautions
Most healthy adults do not appear to experience serious side effects due to the use of rosehip. However, anecdotal evidence has shown that some people may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and insomnia, especially if the rosehip is ingested too much.
In addition, due to the high vitamin C content of rosehip, its use is also believed to increase the risk of kidney stones. Due to its composition, it may also have negative interactions with some drugs such as antacids, estrogens, lithium, fluphenazine, and warfarin.
As there are no further detailed scientific studies on the safety and efficacy of rosehip, the inclusion of rosehip in the diet is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation. In addition, if you have any illness or are on a medication prescribed by your doctor, it is important that you always consult your treating physician before including any new supplements or herbs in your diet.
