Rosehip Powder

Rosa canina, or dog rose, is a climbing wild rose popular for its hips, which are harvested in the fall, dried, and ground into a powder. Rosehips are the round, orange-red fruits that develop at the base of roses after their velvety petals have fallen away. They are edible raw or cooked and were historically valued as a folk remedy. As a dietary supplement, rosehip powder is touted for its vitamin C content and is often used to boost immunity and reduce the severity and duration of colds. Among other nutrients, rosehips contain lycopene and beta carotene pigments (the source of their orange-red color) and essential fatty acids (in their many small seeds) that promote eye and skin health. Studies suggest that rosehips may also reduce the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. Rosehip powder may be added directly to foods or encapsulated. The powder is also popular as a horse supplement for many of the same purposes — to support joint health, boost immunity and enhance a horse’s coat.