It seems that more and more people are looking for natural alternatives for treating chronic disease and relieving pain. The expense and potential side effects of conventional medications can be a strong motivator for people suffering with chronic health problems to seek alternative remedies. For those suffering from osteoarthritis, natural treatments including omega 3 fatty acids from fish oils, glucosamines, and the herb feverfew have shown some potential to relieve osteoarthritis symptoms. Now you can add rosehips to that list of potential treatments for the pain of osteoarthritis. The use of rosehips for arthritis may provide some relief from the daily pain experienced by osteoarthritis sufferers without the side effects associated with prescription anti-inflammatory medications.
What is rosehips? Rosehips is the fruit produced by the common rose plant. This bright orange, orb like fruit is high in Vitamin C and is a healthy source of other vitamins as well as antioxidants. It’s frequently consumed as a fragrant tea and can be added to a variety of food products such as jams, marmalades, and jellies. It’s not uncommon to find packages of rose hips tea prominently displayed in a health food store or natural food market.
This fruit is also no stranger to the world of alternative medicine. It’s been touted for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its ability to prevent urinary tract infections. It’s the anti-inflammatory properties of rose hips which may play a role in relieving the pain of osteoarthritis.
A compilation of trials relating to the use of rosehips for osteoarthritis were analyzed by The Parker Institute of Denmark. They looked at the use of rosehip powder and its role in relieving the aches and pains of osteoarthritis. The results, although based on a limited number of studies, showed that rosehip powder did relieve pain associated with arthritis to a significant degree. Another study including a report issued by Berlin’s Charite University Hospital showed that supplementation with rosehip powder not only improved the pain of osteoarthritis but also increased joint functionality and range of motion. Preliminarily, these results look encouraging although larger scale trials are necessary to confirm the results of these smaller studies.
Doctor’s Analysis:
Should you take rosehip powder if you suffer from osteoarthritis? Although the final verdict is still out on the effectiveness of rosehips for osteoarthritis, side effects reported by users have been minimal including mild diarrhea and other mild gastrointestinal complaints. Of significance is the fact that a small number of people seem to manifest an allergic reaction to the powder. If you experience daily pain from osteoarthritis, you may want to consider giving the powder a trial under the guidance of your doctor. The powder can be purchased in capsule form from a variety of sources. Check with your doctor before using the powder particularly if you’re taking other medications for osteoarthritis. Is rosehips for osteoarthritis a potential natural remedy? Only time and further trials will reveal the answer.
