Rosehip powder (Rosa L Canina) is gaining international acclaim with two new studies supporting its powerful anti-inflammatory action to help reduce arthritic pain.
One in five Australians experience chronic pain on a regular basis[1] and arthritis is a major cause of chronic pain, with 3.85million Australians affected and trends suggest by 2050, 7 million Australians will suffer from some form of arthritis[2].
The two new scientific studies have shown that the standardised Rosehip powder can not only reduce inflammation and pain in people with arthritis but also help protect the joints of active people.
The clinical study, conducted in the United Kingdom, found Rosehip helps improve knee mobility and may help prevent damage to knee cartilage[3].
Conducted by The Centre of Sport & Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University United Kingdom and presented at (EULAR) European League Against Rheumatism 2013 in Madrid, the study found that the standardised Rosehip powder, helped decrease joint pain and joint resistance in the knee.
Professor Marc Cohen, Head of Health Sciences at RMIT University said "More than two thirds of the men who took standardised Rosehip powder experienced an improvement in passive joint flexion and more than 90% recorded improvements in knee extension,"
A further Danish study found that high levels of Rosehip seeds helped to reduce inflammation in patients with inflammatory arthritis.
Conducted by Horsens Hospital in Denmark, the study found that higher levels of Rosehip seeds resulted in higher reductions in inflammation for people and animals[4].
The Danish study, presented at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International's (OARSI) 2013 World Congress on Osteoarthritis in Philadelphia, suggested Rosehip seeds have the potential to significantly reduce the inflammation thereby helping to reduce stress on joints.
Professor Marc Cohen said the study found a 50:50 ratio of Rosehip shells and lipid-rich seeds was the most effective at reducing inflammation levels.
"This study supports previous research suggesting that the lipid-rich seeds of Rosehip that contain the galactolipid GOPO® have unique anti-inflammatory properties." Prof Cohen said.
The studies adds to the mounting scientific evidence, over 30 scientific studies including four double-blind placebo controlled clinical trials unique to a standardized Rosehip powder, supporting standardised Rosehip as a natural anti-inflammatory which may help relieve the pain of arthritis and help increase joint mobility.
Rosehip (generic) was added for the second year to Arthritis Australia's Complementary Therapies Information Sheet with moderate evidence for osteoarthritis[5].