Hips that contain more vitamin C than any citrus ~ Dog rose (Rosa canina)
Late autumn provides us one of nature's best vitamin C "power house". Dog rose(Rosa canina) is a perennial plant (Rosaceae), wild rose species native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia.
It is a deciduous shrub normally ranging in height from 1–5 metres, though sometimes it can scramble higher into the crowns of taller trees. Its stems are covered with small, sharp, hooked prickles, which aid it in climbing. The leaves are pinnate, with 5–7 leaflets. The flowers are usually pale pink, but can vary between a deep pink and white. They are 4–6 centimetres in diameter with five petals, and mature into an oval, 1.5–2-centimetre (0.59–0.79 in), red-orange fruit, or hip.
Wild rose hips we used to eat since antiquity, roman doctor Galen mention them as edible. Old romans even believed that rose hips can cure dog rabies and for that belief, plant latin name came from.
In modern days rose hip was introduced to scientific medicine, for a fact that rose hip fruits contain high levels of vitamin C, beside green walnut nature's richest source of this important vitamin. Amount of ascorbic acid in ripe fruits is between 400 and 1400mg%. It is proven also that dry rose hip can hold the substance for very long time. Most potent fruits are those that are not to soft of didn't start to lose its red color.
Rose hips are also rich with; carotene (5-8 mg%) and vitamin P. Rose hip contains other important vitamins; B, B2, E and K. Fruit flesh of rose hip contains about 2.6% of invert sugar, 1.4% of sucrose, 1.12% organic acids, 1.3% mineral salts and pectin in traces. Seeds also contain high level of vitamin E and 0.01% vanillin, which "gives" sweet scent.
Minerals, vitamins, essential nutrients and organic compounds are found in rose hips provides a powerful punch. It also include vital components such as Vitamin A, C, E, B-complex and minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, silicon, sulfur and zinc. Moreover, it contains organic compounds such as pectin, lycopene, beta carotene and lutein which are essential for the body. Rose hips is able to lower the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, prevent cancer, relieve respiratory, lower cholesterol, increase urination, manage diabetes, boost immune system, build stronger bones and promote circulation.
Research was made to identify the biochemical compounds found in Rose hip fruits. It was reported that Rose hip fruit contains high content of ascorbic acid, flavonoid and phenolic content, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and antioxidant activities. The study was conducted for evaluating main phytochemicals such as total polyphenols, vitamin C and total flavonoids content and antioxidant activity. The content of Vitamin C fruit varies according to the altitude and biotype. Antioxidant and polyphenol content are the parameters of quality for rosehips for its biological properties.
Rose hips contain antioxidant and antiproliferative properties on human cancer cell lines. The tested compounds were vitamin C, total extract, acidic polyphenols and neutral polyphenols. The extracts showed high cytotoxicity both low and high concentrations after 72 hours. An analysis of flow cytometric revealed that fractions produce disturbances in cell cycle results in a concomitant cell death by apoptotic pathway. Exposure of cells to hydrogen peroxide in presence of plant fractions and lowered production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The data indicated that extracts of rosehip acts as powerful antioxidant which produce antiproliferative effect in Caco-2 cells. These results show the promising future for Rosa canina. This plant could be effective component for functional foods which is addressed for colorectal carcinoma.
Polyphenols, flavonoids and carotenoids are found in Rose hips which act as powerful antioxidants that help to neutralize or eliminate free radicals from the body. It is the byproducts of cellular metabolism which could damage healthy cells that cause mutation into cancerous cells. Lack of antioxidants or free radicals is associated with heart diseases, cancer and premature aging. Rose hips have antioxidants which keeps the body healthy.
The daily consumption of extract of Rose hip is associated with lowering levels of cholesterol. This fruit might be helpful for obese patients. The people who intake a drink of rose hip powder regularly for six weeks experience significant drop in levels of blood cholesterol by 5 percent. It could lower the chances of heart problems by 17 percent. It could be used as a secure alternative for anti-cholesterol drugs which might provide some side effects.
Compounds such as antimutagenic, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities could be found in Rose hip. Different concentrations of Rose hip fruit extracts are examined the correlations between antioxidant effect and phenolic contents. Rose hip shows antioxidant activities at all concentrations with respect to lowering power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and superoxide anion radical scavenging. Results shows that Rose hip acts as antioxidant and prooxidant with effects that depends on its concentrations.
The study shows that patients who consume rose hip had greater improvements in arthritic conditions. The powder extracted from rose hip lowered pain in joints, hips and knees. This study was conducted on 300 osteoarthritis patients. It contains fatty acid GOPO which could contribute anti-arthritic properties in this fruit. The pill of Rose hip helps to lower arthritic pain by 90 percent. LitoZin which is a popular arthritic medicine is prepared from processed ground rose hips. Other important quality is that it does not contain ulcerogenic effects like other medications.
Rose hips could be found in the form of jellies, jams, bread, tisanes, soups, pies, wine and marmalade.
