Are you in search of some easy natural methods to ease off pain in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients? Research has proved that rose hips, which are a fruits developed from rose blossoms, can lessen pain in these individuals. It is also used as an ingredient in herbal tea. Studies have revealed the fact that consumption of rose hips on a regular basis as powder or any other form of supplement can improve the physical functioning of the body as well as lessen pains in arthritis patients. It has also been observed to keep your blood pressure in control. It reduces inflammation and has certain heart health benefits too like lowering the cholesterol level. Some sipping beverages use it as an ingredient and have been observed to boost intake of antioxidants like lycopene and vitamin E.

What are rose hips and how does it treat pain?

Rose hips are formed after the blossom fade off. The seed pod gets enlarged forming a shape similar to a pot and get reddish as days pass. These can be found in rose plants towards the end of the rose season if the bush is not pruned. It is available in the form of capsules, powder, or as oil. Anthocyanin, which is a compound found in it, have properties similar to antioxidants. Some other health benefiting compounds found include beta-carotene, carotenoids, beta-chryptoxanthin, lycopene, zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene and vitamin C. LitoZin, which is a famous product have rose hip as major ingredients in it. Studies have been done on its health benefits and have been found really effective in relieving from osteoarthritis pain issues.

Three short-term studies were done using a preparation of rose hips and results proved its effectiveness in lessening pain. The trial included 306 patients. Two of the groups were from Denmark and one was from Norway. The study included three types of patients – 94 patients in the early stage of osteoarthritis, 100 patients at end stage of the disease and 112 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of different joints. A meta-analysis of these three trials was performed. The study was funded by Hyben-Vital International which is a company that manufactures rose hip products. No comparison with any other pain relieving medicine was made in the study but some newspapers came up with the news that it proved more effective than other medicines or supplements. The study was regarding its effectiveness on arthritis patients and not about its comparison with any other drug or medicine.

However, an indirect comparison was done later on which was not a part of the study. They analyzed its effectiveness in comparison to other drugs with the help of some other studies that were done to compare acetaminophen and glucosamine with placebo. One shortcoming of the research found was that all the three studies were of short durations. The analysis was done on a short time of three months. Later on it was concluded that a longer research is needed to get a clearer picture as well as accuracy in results. Go to arthritis tips and get more information.