A gift of a rose may set your heart thumping, but the rose hip contains vitamins that can support your overall health. Rose hips were a popular remedy in the Middle Ages. Nostradamus touted the fruit as a possible treatment for the black plague. Many of the healing properties in rose hips are due to their vitamin content.
Vitamin C
An ounce of rose hips contains 199 percent of the daily amount of vitamin C you need for your body. Rose hips have such a significant amount of vitamin C in them that they can be beneficial to the immune system during illness or in cases of vitamin deficiencies. They are one of the richest natural sources for vitamin C, according to Drugs.com. The vitamins in rose hips are also easily absorbed by your body. They are healthiest when they are consumed fresh.
Vitamin A
The vitamin A content of an ounce of rosehips makes up 24 percent of the daily value needed in your diet. A deficiency in vitamin A can make you more susceptible to vision problems and infectious diseases, according to Medline Plus. However, the proper amount of vitamin A in your diet helps to maintain your soft tissues, teeth, skeletal system, skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin A improves vision in low-light situations.
Vitamin K
The small amount of vitamin K in an ounce of rose hips makes up 9 percent of what you need in your diet each day. Vitamin K plays an important role in the health of your bones and helping your blood clot. Deficiencies of vitamin K are rare because it is produced by bacteria that live in the intestines, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It can also be found in leafy green vegetables. However, deficiencies of vitamin K can occur if you have liver disease, gallbladder problems, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis or if you use blood-thinning medication.
Vitamin E
An ounce of rose hips can provide 8 percent of the vitamin E you need in your diet each day. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help prevent cell damage from free radicals in the body, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The damage caused by free radicals can lead to cancer and heart disease. Fats and oils typically contain vitamin E, which is a fat-soluble vitamin. Deficiencies can lead to weakness or eye problems, and severe deficiencies may cause kidney or liver problems.
Vitamin B2
Rose hips contain 3 percent of the daily value of vitamin B2 that is needed. Vitamin B2 is often referred to as riboflavin and is essential to helping the body convert food to energy. Riboflavin also promotes healthy eyes, hair, skin and liver health. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin B2 can help your nervous system function properly. Vitamin B2 also is an antioxidant that helps prevent free radical damage in the body.
Vitamin B3
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is also essential to converting food to energy in the body. The vitamin also promotes health in the liver, eyes, hair and skin. Niacin is especially important to the supporting healthy adrenal glands and sex and stress-related hormone function, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin B3 is a water-soluble vitamin that reduces cholesterol in the blood while also improving circulation. An ounce of rose hips provides 2 percent of the daily value of niacin you need in your diet. Deficiencies can result in fatigue, canker sores, depression, indigestion or vomiting. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that deficiencies can also lead to pellagra, which is characterized by cracked and scaly skin.
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