A typical cold can last up to 18 days with symptoms of including cough, running nose, nasal congestion, and a sore throat.
Symptoms will usually begin within 1-2 days of exposure and peak about 4 to 5 days later.
A study dating back to 2003 evaluated rose hip for reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis. During this study, which was conducted in the winter, an observation was made that the number of colds were reduced.
The purpose of this most recent study was to determine if rose hip could reduce the number and duration of colds and influenza.
The results were published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine.
Here are the study details
Study design: Double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical trial
Study agent: The liquid rose hip product contained an amount of GOPO of 4.6 mg/100 m l. Vitamin C (91 mg/100 ml).
Patients: 107 human subjects completed the study. Patients were enrolled in the study from October to April.
Placebo group = 55
Rose hip group = 52
Here are the main results
– The placebo group had 31 of 58 patients report a cold over 6 months
– The rosehip group had 24 of 55 patients report a cold over 6 months
During the second month was the greatest difference in cold symptoms
– Placebo group had 19 of 56 experience a cold (33%)
– Rose hip treatment had 7 of 53 experience a cold (13%)
– The mean number of days with a cold was 8.6+/-3.9 in the Rose-hip group as compared to 10.0+/-6.0 in the placebo
Here is what the authors had to say
The reported data suggests that administration of liquid Rose-hip, Hyben Vital, to a general healthy, Danish middle-class population might reduce the incidence of colds by 18% and lower the number of patients reporting the different symptoms of cold. A future study which is adequately powered is warranted.
Take away message
The results of this study suggest that the greatest benefit of rose hip for reducing colds was the first two months (October and November). The results of the study suggest an 18% reduction in experiencing a cold, however, larger studies are needed to confirm these results and to determine if they are significant. Also, muscle stiffness was significantly lower in the rose hip group which is consistent with other research findings.
There are a variety of natural ways to improve immune health including vitamins A, B2 and B5, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, along with zinc, arabinogalactan, andrographis, black elderberry, lemon balm, and oregano that you may want to consider.
Reference
Winther et al. Effect of Rosa canina L (Rose-hip) on cold during winter season in a middle-class population: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2018
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Cold and Influenza, Infection