Importance of complementary medicine exemplified by the use of rose-hip

Rose-hips develop from blossoms of the wild rose (rosa canina) and are a po pular natural remedy. Laboratory experiments have shown that rose-hip extra ct inhibits lipid oxidation in vitro and reduces the chemotaxis and chemolu minescence of leucocytes. In clinical studies serum CRP- und creatinin levels declined in healthy sub jects and patients with osteoarthritis under rose-hip treatment. Additional ly patients suffering from osteoarthritis reported that physical symptoms d eclined. Data from a randomised controlled trial indicate not only that pai n significantly declined but also flexion of the hip improved in the active treatment group. The anti-inflammatory properties of rose-hip are useful as a natural treatm ent in patients with osteoarthritis. It remains to be proven which of the c omponents are responsible for these effects. There is some evidence that in addition to the high vitamin content flavonoids may be actively involved.