Rosehip Tea: What Research Shows About the Tea, Safety and Cautions
Rosehip tea is made from rose hips such as Rosa canina. Most research tested a powder, not tea; this page covers vitamin C variation, what is unknown and who should ask first.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read herbal tea and extract safety before you use anything on this page.
Most rose hip research tested a powder, not tea, and we found no human trial of rosehip tea. Two cautions apply to some readers. The NHS advises people with haemochromatosis (too much iron in the body) to avoid vitamin C supplements, which it says may be harmful at high iron levels. [1] And a 2014 paper's title reports false-positive digoxin blood tests after drinking hibiscus and rose hip tea; we could only read the title. [2] If you take digoxin or have high iron levels, ask your prescriber or pharmacist before using rosehip tea regularly.
What rosehip tea is
Rosehip tea is an infusion of the fruit, called the hip, of roses. The species most often named is Rosa canina L. (family Rosaceae), an accepted name in the GBIF plant database. [3] Other rose species are also used, and a 2023 comparison of five species (including R. canina, R. rubiginosa and R. rugosa) found different vitamin C and phenolic content between them. [4] So "rosehip" on a label can mean different plants; see Reading a Herbal Tea Ingredient List. The plant itself is profiled in Rose Hips (Rosa canina).Traditional use
A 2017 review states that rose hips have been traditionally used as medicines for a wide variety of diseases. [5] That is traditional use only. It is not proof, and the review does not describe tea specifically. A 2008 systematic review notes that rose hip, rose hip with seed and rose hip seed were all "negatively monographed" by the German Commission E because of insufficient evidence of effects and effectiveness. [6]What research shows
| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form and population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does rosehip tea help any condition? | Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for "rose hip tea" and "Rosa canina randomized controlled trial" and found no human trial of the tea in the records returned. | Insufficient evidence | Tea |
| Osteoarthritis pain | A meta-analysis of three trials (287 patients, median 3 months) of a rose hip powder found less pain than placebo (effect size 0.37); all three were supported by the manufacturer and the authors called the data sparse. [7] | Promising but limited | Powder made from Rosa canina hips, not tea |
| Osteoarthritis symptoms in a single trial | In 94 people with hip or knee osteoarthritis in a crossover trial, a powder made from seeds and shells of a rose hip subspecies reduced pain scores at 3 weeks. [8] | Promising but limited | Seed and shell powder, not tea |
| Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects | A 2008 review says such effects have been demonstrated for various rose hip preparations and that the size of clinical effects still needs to be determined. [6] | Preclinical plus exploratory human studies | Various preparations |
| What is in the tea | A lab study of three commercial rose hip teas measured phenolic compounds using laboratory extraction methods, not a home cup. [9] | Composition only, no health outcome | Commercial tea bags or tea material |
Because the trials above used powder, their results do not transfer to tea. Vitamin C is the nutrient most often mentioned with rose hips, and the 2017 review lists ascorbic acid among their constituents. [5] One laboratory study of rosehip tea found 3.15 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 mL (about 3.4 mg in an 8 oz cup) at its best brewing conditions, 6 to 8 minutes at 183 to 187 °F (84 to 86 °C). [10] That is a lab result under set conditions, not a prescription, and home tea will vary. For comparison, a 2023 analysis of fresh Chilean Rosa canina and Rosa rubiginosa fruit measured 6.0 to 8.2 mg of ascorbic acid per gram of fresh fruit, which is the fruit, not the tea. [11]
Safety
- Iron overload. The NHS advice about vitamin C supplements in haemochromatosis is about supplements. [1] Whether a cup of rosehip tea matters for people with high iron levels is not described in the sources we read, so ask your clinician. See Iron for iron basics.
- Digoxin tests. One paper title links hibiscus and rose hip tea to false-positive digoxin assays. [2] Tell your prescriber and the lab if you drink these teas and take digoxin.
- Medicines in general: see How Interactions Work. Specific medicine interactions for rosehip tea are not described in the sources we read.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, older adults, liver and kidney conditions, surgery and allergy: not described in the sources we read. Tell a surgical team about all herbal teas before a procedure.
- Quality. Check the ingredient list for blends; the digoxin paper's title pairs rose hip tea with hibiscus tea. [2] See Hibiscus Tea and Quality Testing and Certifications.
What we could not find
We did not find a regulator monograph on rosehip tea that we could read, a human trial of the tea, or a human trial of vitamin C from the tea. We searched PubMed for rose hip tea, Rosa canina reviews and vitamin C, and looked for a rose hip entry in the MedlinePlus herbs and supplements list (none found).What research found and what to check: Rose Hip Tea
Findings about drinking the tea itself, kept apart from capsules, extracts and concentrated supplements. Each card says what was studied, in whom, and how strong the evidence is.
Rose hip tea and health benefits in people
Not enough evidenceWe found no human trial of rose hip tea.
Supplements: Proper evidence not found for trials of the tea itself.
Rose hip powder and osteoarthritis pain (powder, not tea)
Preliminary or mixedA meta-analysis of three trials (287 people, median 3 months) of a Rosa canina hip powder found less pain than placebo; all three were manufacturer-supported and the data sparse. One trial used a seed-and-shell powder.
Supplements: Extract only (powder).
Vitamin C in rose hips and in the cup
Not enough evidenceFresh Rosa canina and R. rubiginosa hips from Chile measured 6.0 to 8.2 mg of vitamin C per gram. In a lab study of brewing conditions, a rosehip tea had 3.15 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 mL at the best conditions tested. Content differs between species.
Supplements: Amount in a cup varies; no health outcome tested.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity (lab)
Lab or animal research onlyA 2008 review says antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have been shown for various rose hip preparations in lab work, and that the size of clinical effects still needs to be determined.
Supplements: Lab or animal only.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, allergy, liver and kidney: not described
Not enough evidenceThe sources we read gave no information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, allergy, liver or kidney for rosehip tea.
Supplements: Ask a clinician.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Joint SupportPreliminary or mixed
Trials of a rose hip powder (not tea) found less osteoarthritis pain than placebo; manufacturer-supported and sparse.
Body systems (1)
- Bones, Joints & MusclesPreliminary or mixed
Powder trials in osteoarthritis; extract only.
Body parts (1)
- JointsPreliminary or mixed
Hip and knee osteoarthritis were studied with powder, not tea.
Functional actions (2)
- AntioxidantLab or animal research only
Reviews describe antioxidant activity of rose hip preparations in the lab; clinical effects not established.
- Joint SupportPreliminary or mixed
Same powder trials; extract only, no tea trial.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
A 2014 paper title links hibiscus and rose hip tea to false-positive digoxin blood tests; only the title was read.
Conditions & symptoms (2)
- Osteoarthritis of HipPreliminary or mixed
Same powder trials; extract only.
- Osteoarthritis, KneePreliminary or mixed
Powder (not tea) trials in hip and knee osteoarthritis found less pain; manufacturer-supported.
Documented risks and interactions (3)
- False-positive digoxin blood tests after hibiscus and rose hip tea. A 2014 letter reports that flavonoids from hibiscus and rose hip tea caused false-positive results in digoxin blood tests. We could read only the title.
- Iron overload and vitamin C. The NHS advises people with haemochromatosis to avoid vitamin C supplements, which may be harmful at high iron levels. Whether a cup of rosehip tea matters is not described in the sources we read.
- Different rose species under one name. Rose hip species differ in vitamin C and phenolic content, so a label saying rosehip can mean different plants.
Frequently asked questions
Is rosehip tea a good source of vitamin C?
Rose hips contain ascorbic acid, but vitamin C content differs between rose species and one laboratory study measured 3.15 mg per 100 mL of tea at its best brewing conditions. [5][4][10]
Does rosehip tea help arthritis?
Trials with benefit used a rose hip powder, not tea, and the manufacturer supported all three trials in the meta-analysis. [7] No trial of the tea was found.
Who should check with a clinician first?
People who take digoxin or who have haemochromatosis, since digoxin tests may be affected and the NHS advises avoiding vitamin C supplements at high iron levels. [2][1]
Is rosehip tea the same as a rose hip powder supplement?
No. The trials with positive results used a powder made from hips, or from seeds and shells, so their findings do not transfer to tea. [7][8]
Is rosehip tea safe in pregnancy?
We found no source we could read on rosehip tea in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so we make no claim. See Herbs During Pregnancy and ask your clinician.
References
- National Health Service (NHS, England). Haemochromatosis: treatment, page last reviewed 29 March 2023 Read 2026-10-23.
- Frész T, Nagy E, Hilbert A, Tomcsányi J. The role of flavonoids in false positive digoxin assays caused by the consumption of hibiscus flower and rose hip tea. Int J Cardiol. 2014;171(2):273-4 (title read; no abstract available) Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. Rosa canina L., GBIF Backbone Taxonomy Read 2026-10-23.
- Guantario B, Nardo N, Fascella G, et al. Comparative study of bioactive compounds and biological activities of five rose hip species grown in Sicily. Plants (Basel). 2023;13(1):53 Read 2026-10-23.
- Mármol I, Sánchez-de-Diego C, Jiménez-Moreno N, Ancín-Azpilicueta C, Rodríguez-Yoldi MJ. Therapeutic applications of rose hips from different Rosa species. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(6):1137 Read 2026-10-23.
- Chrubasik C, Roufogalis BD, Müller-Ladner U, Chrubasik S. A systematic review on the Rosa canina effect and efficacy profiles. Phytother Res. 2008;22(6):725-33 Read 2026-10-23.
- Christensen R, Bartels EM, Altman RD, Astrup A, Bliddal H. Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008;16(9):965-72 Read 2026-10-23.
- Winther K, Apel K, Thamsborg G. A powder made from seeds and shells of a rose-hip subspecies (Rosa canina) reduces symptoms of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Scand J Rheumatol. 2005;34(4):302-8 Read 2026-10-23.
- İlbay Z, Şahin S, Kirbaşlar Şİ. Investigation of polyphenolic content of rose hip (Rosa canina L.) tea extracts: a comparative study. Foods. 2013;2(1):43-52 Read 2026-10-23.
- İlyasoğlu H, Arpa TE. Effect of brewing conditions on antioxidant properties of rosehip tea beverage: study by response surface methodology. 2017. Read 2026-10-23.
- Peña F, Valencia S, Tereucán G, et al. Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in the fruit of rosehip (Rosa canina L. and Rosa rubiginosa L.). Molecules. 2023;28:3544. Read 2026-10-23.