Health Benefits of Rose Hip Tea

If you want to drink rose hip tea, choose the fruits from wild roses such as rugosa rose or also known as the Japanese rose and rosa canina or dog rose.

Rose hips or also called rose haw are the fruits of roses. Within the fruits are rose seeds. A rose hip will only form after the blossom or bloom fades or dies on the shrub. The rose hips which are round or oblong will first appear green in color and will later turn red like red tomatoes when ripe.

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, a 100g of wild rose hips contain the following nutrients.

1. Carbohydrates - 38.22g
   
   
2. Protein - 1.6g
   
   
3. Total dietary fiber - 24.1g
   
   
4. Dextrose and fructose - 2.58g
   
   
5. Vitamin A - 4345 IU
   
   
6. Vitamin C - 426mg
   
   
7. Thiamine - 0.01mg
   
   
8. Riboflavin - 0.16mg
   
   
9. Niacin - 1.30mg
   
   
10. Pantothenic acid - 0.80mg
    
    
11. Vitamin B6 - 0.07mg
    
    
12. Total folate - 3mg
    
    
13. Choline - 12mg
    
    
14. Vitamin E - 5.84mg
    
    
15. Vitamin K - 25.9mcg
    
    
16. Calcium - 169mg
    
    
17. Iron - 1.06mg
    
    
18. Magnesium - 69mg
    
    
19. Phosphorus - 61mg
    
    
20. Potassium - 429mg
    
    
21. Sodium - 4mg
    
    
22. Zinc - 0.25mg
    
    
23. Copper - 0.11mg
    
    
24. Manganese - 1.02mg
    
    
25. Betaine - 2.90mg
    
    
26. Beta carotene - 2350mcg
    
    
27. Alpha carotene - 31mcg
    
    
28. Beta cryptoxanthin - 483mcg
    
    
29. Lycopene - 6800mcg
    
    
30. Lutein and zeaxanthin - 2001mcg
    
    
31. Beta tocopherol - 0.05mg
    
    
32. Gamma tocopherol - 1.34mg
    
    
33. Delta Tocopherol - 0.14mg

Besides the nutrients stated above, rose hips contain linoleic acid, gammalinolenic acid, malic acid and citric acid.

Vitamin A, C and E, zinc, beta carotene, lycopene and lutein are all powerful antioxidants. Because of the abundance of antioxidants, drinking rose hip tea helps your body strengthens its immune system and enables it to fight against infections such as the common cold and flu.

On top of its antioxidant activities, each constituent has many other health benefits and healing properties. Vitamin A is able to support the heart against heart disease and stroke. Vitamin C is useful in protecting the cells in the brains and spinal cord from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E helps in the formation of red blood cells. Zinc assists in the functioning of enzymes in the body and helps in proper growth and development. Lycopene is beneficial for cardiovascular and prostate health. And lutein has the ability to lower the risk of macular degeneration that can lead to blindness or poor vision because of aging.

Rose hips have been used as a remedy for various conditions and illness. Some of the common uses include:

1. Preventing bladder infections
   
   
   
2. Easing headaches
   
   
   
3. Speeding up healing after surgery
   
   
   
4. Reducing hot flashes and night sweat
   
   
   
5. Reducing joint inflammation and swelling associated with arthritis
   
   
   
6. Treating skin problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis
   
   
   
7. Reducing anxiety and fatigue

You can make rose hip tea from the ripened fresh or dried fruit. What you need to do is cut several fruits into half, remove the seeds and boil them for several minutes. Besides tea, rosehips can be made into jam and marmalade and added to pies, cakes, ice creams, puddings, soups and beverages.

You can buy dried rose hip in bulks or tea bags or take it as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules or tablets.

Health Benefits of Tea

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