Rose hips, also called rose haw, are the fruit of the rose plant. They have been gathered and used in perfumes, foods and medicines for centuries. They have a high antioxidant content and are rich in bioflavonoids, which may be effective in reducing or eliminating hot flashes.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are most often experienced by mature women who are approaching or undergoing menopause. According to BreastCancer.org, hot flashes are generally caused by hormonal changes brought on by menopause, including a decrease in estrogen levels that can result in body temperature changes. While not dangerous to the health, hot flashes can be uncomfortable and can cause night sweats, which can be disturbing to healthy sleep patterns.
Benefits
Rose hips contain high levels of bioflavonoids, which have many medicinal benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic. According to author and herbal healer Susun Weed, bioflavanoids have estrogenic effects and are "important allies for post-menopausal women," useful in treating many symptoms of menopause, including the discomfort of hot flashes and night sweats. Rose hips are also rich in vitamin C, which according to herbal remedies website WomenLivingNaturally.com is helpful in preventing hot flashes. Susun Weed reports that bioflavonoids increase absorption of vitamin C and that these two nutrients taken together are even more beneficial.
Scientific Evidence
Few studies have been done to test the scientific efficacy of the use of rose hips to treat hot flashes. Most evidence is empirical and passed down from generation to generation.
Where to Buy
Rose hips are available in bulk at most health food stores or prepackaged at boutique specialty stores. They look like tiny rosebuds and are pink-to-orange in color. You can also gather your own rose hips if you have access to rose bushes and know what to look for. According to Gail Butler in Backwoods Home Magazine, both wild and domesticated rose bushes offer rose hips that are nutrient-rich. Rose hips develop only after the rose bloom as wilted and fallen, so you must not trim back your rose bushes before the hips grow. Wild rose bushes are better places to find rose hips in larger quantity.
Preparation
Rose hips can be prepared and taken medicinally in a variety of ways. The most common preparation is rose hip tea. To make rose hip tea, boil one or two tbsp. of fresh or dried rose hips in water for 10 minutes. They must be boiled for this long so that the water can get underneath to skin to the seeds, where most of the flavor and nutrients are. Susun Weed recommends using fresh rose hips to make jellies and wines and dried rose hips for soups.
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