Rose hips are sometimes used as an herbal source of vitamin C, but they may offer additional health benefits. You might take rose hips during pregnancy for a variety of reasons. Like any other supplement or herbal remedy, talk with your doctor before taking rose hips for any purpose during pregnancy or postpartum. At this time, it's unknown whether rose hips remedies are safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Description
Rose hips are the seed pods of wild rose plants that are sometimes used to treat or prevent certain health conditions, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Primarily, rose hips are used medicinally for their high content of vitamin C, also called absorbic acid, Drug Digest notes. Natural remedies containing rose hips may come from a wide variety of wild rose species, which are dried and processed to produce a supplement.
Uses
You might take rose hips during pregnancy to supplement your vitamin C intake and prevent colds, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Rose hips may also help to prevent kidney stones and cancer, as well as treat osteoarthritis. Rose hips could protect your stomach tissues and prevent ulcers, treat diarrhea, and offer diuretic effects, Drug Digest notes. Edema or fluid retention can occur during pregnancy, and taking rose hips could help to relieve this condition.
Nutritional deficiencies can also occur during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, so rose hips could treat or prevent vitamin C depletion. Additionally, the vitamin C in rose hips can help support your immune system, connective tissues and hormone production, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Consult your physician before taking rose hips while pregnant.
Dosage
In general, you would take a dosage of rose hips that correlates with the amount of vitamin C needed, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Rose hips products are usually available in tablets, capsules, chewable pills, liquids, powders and lozenges, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Your healthcare provider will determine how much vitamin C you need during pregnancy, so you should adhere to your physician's recommendations regarding the proper dosage of rose hips.
Medical Research
An in-vitro study found that rose hips have some potential for preventing cancer, according to a 1996 issue of Bollettino Chimico Farmaceutico. A review of studies published in Phytotherapy Research in 2006 concluded that rose hips can relieve pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. A German review of studies in 2007 also found rose hips effective for osteoarthritis, Drug Digest notes.
Dangers
Due to the limited amount of scientific evidence regarding rose hips, the remedy's safety during pregnancy is unknown, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, don't take rose hips without first consulting your doctor. Rose hips and other ascorbic acid supplements might not be safe if you have kidney disease, diabetes, or sulfite or tartrazine sensitivity, warns the University of Michigan Health System. If you're following a low-salt diet, ask your physician before taking rose hips. Rose hips might be dangerous to take along with certain medications like Coumadin.
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