Rose Hips

Identity

Common Name

Rose Hips

Scientific Name

Rosa canina

Botanical Family

Rosaceae

Native Region

Europe, Asia, North Africa

Cultivation Regions

Europe, Asia, North America, Andes

Plant Parts Used

Fruit (hips)

Synonyms

Dog Rose, Hip Berry, Rosehip

Caffeine Level

Caffeine Free

A scrambling deciduous shrub 1-3 m tall with arching prickly stems, pinnate leaves of serrated oval leaflets, pale-pink five-petaled single roses, and bright orange-red oval hips (fruit) that persist into winter.

Historical Background

Rose hips have been gathered across Europe, Asia, and the Americas since antiquity as a sour, vitamin-rich food and remedy. During World War II, British schoolchildren collected hips to make syrup as a citrus substitute, cementing rose hip tea's place in modern folk practice.

Earliest recorded uses: European and indigenous use for centuries; widely used in WWII Britain as a vitamin C source when citrus was scarce.

Traditional Uses

These uses document historical traditions and do not imply proven effectiveness.

Flavor & Aroma

Aroma: Tart, fruity, slightly floral

Tea Information

Research Summary

Rose hips are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Small trials suggest modest benefit for osteoarthritis symptoms, but evidence is limited and not a treatment. Vitamin C content is well documented but declines in drying and brewing.

Evidence levels reflect the currently available scientific literature and may change as new research emerges. Where evidence is limited or conflicting, this is stated plainly.

References & Sources