A herbal supplement made from the seeds of rosehips(Rosa canina) can overcome severity of symptoms in people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and hip, according to a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology.(2005:34:302-8).

OA, a degenerative disease common in older people, is characterized by progressive loss of cartilage in the joints and symptoms such as pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.

Rose hips are the bright red fruit of a wild rose bush, known for their high vitamin C and bioflavonoid content. Popularly used to prevent and treat colds and asthma, a recent study found that powder of rose hips has anti-inflammatory properties.

Three clinical trials involving the same preparation of rosehips concluded that rose hips are an effective pain reliever. A total of 306 patients participated in the three clinical trials, two of the studies were from Denmark and one involved patients from Norway. The results of this study show that rosehips powder can alleviate symptoms of OA and increase mobility in arthritic joints.

For more info: please read http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16195164