Rosa canina or rose hips are well known for their high vitamin C content. The seeds from rose hips can also be used as a diuretic to flush excess water from the body. Rose hips have been used for centuries to fight off infections and to provide the body with much needed nutrients. A recent study out of Denmark investigated the effects that daily consumption of rose hips in powder form may have on the symptoms of osteoarthritis and use of medications such as NSAIDs.
A total of 94 patients, both men and women, with a prior history of osteoarthritis enrolled in the study. They were randomized to receive either 5 grams of rose hip powder or placebo daily for three months, then in crossover design each group received the opposite(treatment or placebo). Measures of pain, stiffness, disability, and disease severity were scored using the WOMAC questionnaire, a typical battery for osteoarthritis. Patients were all assessed at baseline, 3 weeks and 3 months.
After 3 weeks the only variable to differ significantly between the two groups was the pain score. Patients consuming 5 grams per day of rose hip powder reported significantly less painful days. Because of the decrease in pain symptoms, medication use was also reported to decline in the treatment group compared to placebo. After 3 months WOMAC scores for disability, stiffness, and disease severity also decreased significantly. These scores did not differ at 3 weeks.
Based on the outcome of this study, it was concluded that rose hip powder, when consumed daily, can reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Rose hips caused a significant decrease in all measures including pain, stiffness, disability, and disease severity. Participants in the rose hip group also reported significantly less medication use as a result of decrease symptoms. The study does not examine the mechanism of action, but perhaps it is due to the high antioxidant content and diuretic action of the rose hips leading to decreased inflammation in the affected joints.
Posted by Kristopher Foster on March 7, 2006 09:54 AM
