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Rosehip (Rosa canina)
A standardized powder from the fruit (hips) of the wild dog rose. Its best-evidenced use is mild osteoarthritis pain relief — a meta-analysis of three RCTs found a small-but-real reduction in joint pain. It also delivers vitamin C and anti-inflammatory galactolipids, but effects are modest and most trials were industry-funded.
What the evidence says
Most Rosehip studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2004–2026 with a typical study size of 120 participants.
Based on 16 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 8 RCTs · 120 total participants
Confidence
Moderate confidenceBy outcome
Scored Moderate (5.0) because a meta-analysis of three RCTs found a small-but-real reduction in osteoarthritis pain (effect size ~0.37), but the effect is modest and the pivotal trials were all manufacturer-funded.
15 rigorous studies
10 randomized trials · 1 meta-analyses · 4 systematic reviews
Our evidence rating for Rosehip is accountable to this entire body of rigorous research indexed in PubMed — not a hand-picked subset.
PubMed · as of Jul 2026
No trials currently enrolling · 7 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
Registered trials show research momentum for Rosehip, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Sep 2026
Rosehip is the fruit of Rosa canina (the wild dog rose), most often sold as a standardized dried powder (e.g. LitoZin) containing a characteristic galactolipid (GOPO) thought to drive its anti-inflammatory action, alongside vitamin C, polyphenols, and carotenoids.
The strongest evidence is for osteoarthritis: a 2008 meta-analysis of three randomized placebo-controlled trials (287 patients) found rosehip powder reduced pain with a standardized effect size of 0.37 — a small but statistically significant effect, with roughly twice the chance of responding versus placebo (number-needed-to-treat ~6).
Individual RCTs report reduced WOMAC pain and lower rescue-analgesic use. Honest caveats: all three pooled trials were funded by the same manufacturer, the effect is modest, and the meta-analysis authors explicitly called for independent large-scale replication.
Mechanistic and preclinical work supports antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity (COX inhibition, lower CRP, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines), but rosehip is a symptomatic adjunct, not a disease-modifying treatment.
A specific galactolipid (GOPO) reduces chemotaxis of inflammatory cells and pro-inflammatory mediators in the joint.
Polyphenols inhibit COX-1/2 and 5-LOX and lower pro-inflammatory cytokines and CRP in mechanistic studies — without the gastric/platelet effects of NSAIDs.
Vitamin C, carotenoids, and polyphenols provide radical-scavenging activity relevant to oxidative stress in osteoarthritis.
How Rosehip works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Be mindful of total vitamin C intake from high-dose rosehip powder.
Culinary amounts are common; supplemental therapeutic doses are not well studied — consult a clinician.
Vitamin C content could theoretically affect anticoagulation; unlike NSAIDs, rosehip does not itself inhibit platelets or the coagulation cascade. Monitor if combining.
Tip: Take with food; reduce dose
Rosehip has an evidence score of 5/10 — moderate evidence based on 7 indexed studies, including 1 meta-analysis. A standardized powder from the fruit (hips) of the wild dog rose. Its best-evidenced use is mild osteoarthritis pain relief — a meta-analysis of three RCTs found a small-but-real reduction in joint pain. It also delivers vitamin C and anti-inflammatory galactolipids, but effects are modest and most trials were industry-funded. Representative study: PMID 18407528.
The commonly studied dose of Rosehip is 5g daily of standardized rosehip powder (the dose used in the OA trials). Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
The best time to take Rosehip is with meals. Take it with food. Taken with food to aid tolerability; trials dosed 5g/day, often split.
Rosehip is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for most healthy adults at recommended doses. Reported side effects are uncommon and include mild GI upset / loose stools. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Known allergy to Rosa species; Caution with high doses of vitamin C in those prone to oxalate kidney stones.
Boswellia
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 16 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
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