© Sakurai Midori · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Rosa canina
Hundsrose · (Rosa canina)
Rose family (Rosaceae)
Description
In hedgerows and along field margins, the bright red hips of this thorny wild rose from the rose family (Rosaceae) ripen through autumn. The fruit pulp is rich in vitamin C (up to 2%) as well as carotenoids, flavonoids and pectin, and is used as tea, purée or a spice. Standardised rose-hip powder preparations, which also contain the galactolipid GOPO, have been studied in clinical trials for joint complaints. In folk use, a tea made from the flowers is considered calming, and the fruit purée has traditionally served as a gargle for a sore throat. Fine itch-hairs sit between the flesh and the seeds and can trigger a long-lasting itch on skin contact — hence they are carefully removed before processing, a trait behind the fruit's historical use as 'itching powder'. Standardised preparations can occasionally cause mild stomach upset.
Traditionally used rose-hip tea as a vitamin-C-rich preparation for the supportive treatment and prevention of colds, flu-like infections and general fatigue during the cold season. Rose hips, with 0.4-2 % ascorbic acid, are among the richest native sources of vitamin C. The German Commission E lists Cynosbati fructus with a positive assessment for this indication.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 250 ml boiling water over 2-4 g crushed dried rose hips (with or without seeds), cover and infuse for 10-15 minutes, then strain. Drink up to three cups daily. For better vitamin-C retention use water just below boiling and infuse covered.
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 8 weeks
Standardised rose-hip powder (from fruit skin, flesh and seeds) for osteoarthritic complaints of knee, hip and hand. Clinical trials (Winther et al., Christensen et al.) show that the galactolipid GOPO significantly reduces pain, stiffness and NSAID requirement. ESCOP lists Rosae pseudo-fructus for this indication.
Preparation & dosage
Stir 2.5-5 g standardised rose-hip powder (with seeds, cold-milled) twice daily into water, yoghurt or juice and take with meals. A noticeable effect usually develops only after 3-4 weeks of continuous use.
- Dry amount
- 2.5–5 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
- Max duration
- 12 weeks
Classical use of the deseeded fruit flesh as jam, rose-hip liqueur, rose-hip sauce (e.g. with game) and rose-hip puree as a child-friendly source of vitamin C. Fruit acids and pectins are mildly digestion-promoting; the sweet-sour fruit flesh has been part of peasant winter stores in northern and central Europe for centuries.
Preparation & dosage
In folk medicine, dog-rose flower tea is occasionally used as a mildly soothing and heart-strengthening infusion for nervous restlessness and exhaustion. The effect is gentle and not supported by modern studies; mostly enjoyed as a fragrant well-being tea.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 250 ml boiling water over 1-2 g dried dog-rose petals, cover and infuse for 8-10 minutes, then strain. Drink one to two cups daily.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
In wild-food cookery, fully ripe rose hips are eaten straight from the bush: gently squeeze the fruit between the fingers, open at the stem end and suck out the sweet-sour flesh — do not swallow seeds and itch-hairs. A classic trail-side autumn nibble.
Preparation & dosage
Folk-medicinal use of a strong rose-hip infusion as astringent gargle for incipient sore throat, hoarseness and mild irritations of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. Tannins (catechin polymers) act astringent, vitamin C and fruit acids mildly antiseptic.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 250 ml boiling water over 5-8 g crushed rose hips, infuse for 15 minutes, strain and let cool to body temperature. Gargle several times daily (3-4 times); do not swallow when using a strong infusion.
- Dry amount
- 5–8 g
- Doses per day
- 4×
Inside the rose hip, between fruit flesh and seeds, sit fine itch-hairs (trichomes) that on skin contact cause an unpleasant, sometimes days-long itch — historically known as 'itching powder'. Always wear gloves during harvest and processing and remove seeds and itch-hairs completely. Preparations from standardised rose-hip powder may occasionally cause mild stomach upset, soft stools or heartburn. ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): non-toxic to dogs and cats. The ASPCA classifies the whole genus this way.
Rose hips are considered safe in normal amounts (tea, jam, puree) during pregnancy and lactation and, thanks to their high vitamin-C content, are traditionally even appreciated. For standardised high-dose preparations (osteoarthritis) safety data are insufficient — use sparingly.
Normal amounts are safe. Rose-hip tea is a classic companion to nursing teas and contributes to the vitamin-C supply of mother and child.
Rose-hip puree has been a classical vitamin-C source for infants and young children for generations (e.g. as 'rose-hip puree' from weaning age). Important: completely remove seeds and itch-hairs before processing. Rose-hip tea is also safe for children.
Drug interactions
Eisenpräparate / orale Eisensubstitution
Vitamin C from rose hips markedly increases intestinal absorption of ferrous iron — often therapeutically desired, but unfavourable in haemochromatosis or other iron-overload syndromes.
Antikoagulanzien (Vitamin-K-Antagonisten wie Warfarin/Phenprocoumon)
Rose-hip seeds contain small amounts of vitamin K; with high-dose rose-hip powder preparations this can slightly affect INR values under warfarin/phenprocoumon. Monitor INR closely under continuous standardised use.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to plants of the rose family (Rosaceae).
- Pre-existing iron-overload syndromes (e.g. haemochromatosis): avoid high vitamin-C amounts from rose hips, as iron absorption is enhanced.
- Known oxalate kidney stones: very high doses of vitamin C may theoretically increase oxalate formation — standard doses are safe, but discuss high-dose powders with a physician if there is a history of stones.
Harvested part: ripe rose hips (autumn)
- Time of day:
- Harvest in dry weather late in the morning, ideally after the first light frost — the fruits become sweeter, softer and easier to open. Wear gloves because of the fine itch-hairs inside.
- Drying:
- Halve rose hips, carefully remove seeds and itch-hairs with a small spoon (always wear gloves!), spread fruit skins loosely on racks or baking paper and dry at max 40 °C in a dehydrator or in an airy shaded spot. Never in direct sun — vitamin C degrades quickly.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Store in dark, tightly closed glass or tin containers, cool and dry. Vitamin-C content decreases continuously during storage — use within 12 months where possible.
- Time of day:
- Harvest in dry sunny weather late in the morning during full bloom, once the dew has dried and the flowers have just fully opened — fragrance and aroma are then at their peak.
- Drying:
- Carefully pluck petals from the receptacle and spread loosely in a single layer on paper or racks. Dry in a shaded airy spot at max 35 °C until rustling-dry. Do not stack — petals clump easily.
- Storage:
- 9 months — Store in dark, tightly closed jars, cool and dry. Aroma fades faster than in rose hips — use within 9 months.
- Vitamin C (Ascorbinsäure)VitaminContent: 0.4-2 %Fruit
One of the richest sources of vitamin C among native plants — content exceeds citrus fruits 10- to 30-fold. Sensitive to heat, light and oxygen; well preserved when dried gently and stored cool.
- Carotinoide (Lycopin, beta-Carotin, Rubixanthin)OtherContent: 0.01-0.05 %Fruit
Tetraterpenoid pigments; rubixanthin is characteristic of rose hips and produces the typical orange-red colour. Antioxidant and provitamin-A active.
- Galaktolipid GOPO ((2S)-1,2-di-O-[(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoyl]-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-glycerol)OtherContent: Spurenanteile, isoliert standardisierbarFruit
Leading marker substance of the ESCOP monograph Rosae pseudo-fructus for osteoarthritis; inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro and reduces pain and stiffness in clinical trials. Obtained by cold-milling of the whole fruit including seeds.
- Flavonoide (Quercetin, Tilirosid, Kaempferol)FlavonoidContent: 0.05-0.5 %Fruit
Tilirosid is a typical acyl-glycoside marker of the genus Rosa; flavonoid-rich fractions are antioxidant and vasoprotective and contribute to the traditional cold-relief effect.
- Gerbstoffe (Catechin-Pelargonin-Polymere, kondensierte Tannine)TanninContent: 2-3 %Fruit
Astringent condensed tannins; responsible for the astringent effect in sore throat and mild diarrhoea and for the characteristic slightly tart aftertaste.
- Fruchtsäuren (Apfelsäure, Zitronensäure)OtherContent: 1-2 %Fruit
Provide the typical sour taste of the fruit flesh, mildly appetite-stimulating and preservative; help stabilise vitamin C during processing.
- PektinPolysaccharideContent: 3-15 %Fruit
Heterogeneous polysaccharide of the plant cell wall; gives rose-hip jam its typical jelly-like consistency when boiled and is mildly stool-regulating.
- [1]MonographESCOP Monograph — Rosae pseudo-fructus (rose hip) in osteoarthritis(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [2]MonographKommission E — Cynosbati fructus cum semine (Bundesanzeiger Nr. 164, 01.09.1990, positiv)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [3]MonographWinther K., Apel K., Thamsborg G.: A powder made from seeds and shells of a rose-hip subspecies (Rosa canina) reduces symptoms of knee and hip osteoarthritis — Scand J Rheumatol 34(4):302-308 (2005)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [4]MonographChristensen R., Bartels E.M., Altman R.D., Astrup A., Bliddal H.: Does the hip powder of Rosa canina reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? A meta-analysis — Osteoarthritis Cartilage 16(9):965-972 (2008)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [5]MonographPlants For A Future — Rosa canina(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [6]MonographHeilkräuter-Lexikon — Hagebutte / Hundsrose(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [9]MonographASPCA Animal Poison Control — Rose (Rosa Species)(accessed: 2026-08-10)
- [7]BookMadaus, Gerhard: Lehrbuch der biologischen Heilmittel, Bd. III — Rosa canina (1938, PD)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [8]WikipediaWikipedia (DE) — Hunds-Rose(accessed: 2026-05-19)