The fruit of the rose is commonly called rose hip or rosehip, also rose haw and rose hep. It is usually red to orange in color but ranges from dark purple to black in some species. Rose hips begin to form after pollination of flowers in spring or early summer, and ripen in late summer through fall. Here Katey Davidson, MScFN, RD, HealthLine.com, reflects on what are rose hip and do they have benefits, medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD:

“From their soft petals to prickly thorns, roses are a symbol of beauty and health.

They belong to the Rosa genus of the Rosaceae family, which has upwards of 100 species (1).

However, one lesser known part of the rose is the round, seed-filled bulbs known as rose hips, which are found underneath rose petals.

Also called the fruit of the rose, rose hips are usually red-orange, though yellow and black varieties can also be found (2Trusted Source).

Unlike rose blossoms, which bloom in the spring and summer months, rose hips generally grow after the petals have bloomed and started falling off, which is usually in early to mid-fall. In fact, they’re considered sweeter when picked after the first frost of the season (3Trusted Source).

Rich in nutrients and disease-fighting properties, rose hips have gained attention for their role in health and beauty.

This article tells you all you need to know about rose hips, including their benefits, uses, and side effects.

Rosehip nutrition

Inside the rose hip are many small, edible seeds, which are a good source of many nutrients. A 2-tablespoon (16-gram) serving of wild rose hips provides (4Trusted Source):

• Calories: 26
• Carbs: 6 grams
• Fiber: 4 grams
• Vitamin A: 4% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin B5: 3% of the DV
• Vitamin C: 76% of the DV
• Vitamin E: 6% of the DV

Rose hips get their red-orange color from carotenoid pigments known as lycopene and beta carotene. These pigments have been shown to promote skin and eye health (2Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).

They’re also rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, such as vitamin C, catechins, quercetin, and ellagic acid. A diet rich in these compounds can help lower inflammation and oxidative stress in your body (2Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).

Furthermore, vitamin C plays a key role in collagen synthesis and immune health (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).

However, the nutrient content of rose hips largely depends on soil and growing conditions, processing techniques, and the specific species. For example, many rosehip varieties are processed with heat and water, which significantly lowers their vitamin C levels (6Trusted Source, 9).

Benefits of rose hips

Rose hips have been used for centuries in traditional and folk medicine for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.”

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