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Rosehip in gastritis: infusion, decoction, tea
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Before answering the question of whether rose hips are good for gastritis, it is worth recalling why rose hips are so beneficial for the body.
Benefits of rose hips for the body
First of all, rose hips (Rosa canina L.) contain vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – an antioxidant [ 1 ] that plays a vital role in the body’s oxidation-reduction processes, of which 100 g of dried fruit contains 0.4-3.7 g. And this is one of the highest levels of vitamin C among all berries, fruits and vegetables. [ 2 ], [ 3 ]
Beta-carotene and tocopherol (vitamin E) help inhibit the formation of free superoxide radicals.
Rose hips also contain vitamin B2 (riboflavin), which is necessary for maintaining immunity; vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), which ensures normal blood clotting and bone metabolism; and vitamin P (rutin), which strengthens blood vessels. [ 4 ]
In addition, these fruits contain biologically active compounds [ 5 ] such as:
- flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin and its glycoside derivatives);
- proanthocynidins and carotenoids, including lycopene;
- phenolic acids (chlorogenic, hydroxycinnamic, gallic, ferulic, ellagic, gentisic) with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and choleretic properties;
- immunity-boosting triterpene acids (ursolic, oleanolic, betulinic);
- carboxylic (organic) acids, including malic and citric.
Rose hips contain iron, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc in the form of salts. [ 6 ]
Rose hips are currently used as a vitamin (replenishing the lack of vitamin C), diuretic, choleretic and laxative; they are used in the complex treatment of diseases of the kidneys, lower urinary tract and gall bladder; for arthritis, gout, colds, edema, arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol in the blood). [ 7 ]
Rose hips for gastritis
For a long time, rose hips have been used as a folk remedy to treat diarrhea, stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal diseases. Indeed, the biologically active components of its fruits, as studies have shown, weaken intestinal peristalsis and stomach spasms, and also change the pH in the stomach - due to the presence of organic acids and increased acid production (synthesis of hydrochloric acid) by the cells of the fundic glands of the antral part of the stomach.
And this is the main reason why rose hips are contraindicated for gastritis with high acidity, that is, hyperacid gastritis.
If erosive gastritis is diagnosed during an endoscopic examination of the stomach, this means that there are lesions in the mucous membrane of the stomach walls in the form of erosion of varying depth and localization. Therefore, rose hips are also not used for erosive gastritis, and drugs are prescribed to reduce stomach acidity.
You can use rosehip infusion for hypoacid gastritis - gastritis with low acidity. However, it is not rational to prepare rosehip decoction for gastritis: boiling the berries leads to a significant decrease in the content of vitamin C and other useful substances.
Is it possible to use rose hips for chronic gastritis? If it is gastritis with high acidity, then the use of rose hips increases the risk of deterioration of the condition.
In patients with chronic gastritis of an autoimmune nature, the production of hydrochloric acid gradually decreases, leading to persistent hypochlorhydria. In severe cases, acid formation may stop altogether - with the development of achlorhydria. And then, along with the appropriate drugs, gastroenterologists recommend drinking rosehip tea for gastritis. Thus, rose hips become part of complex therapy.
It should be borne in mind that atrophy of the gastric mucosa is often a consequence of its damage by campylobacter Helicobacter pylori - Helicobacter, which does not like an acidic environment and neutralizes hydrochloric acid (HCl) of gastric juice with the help of its hydrolytic enzyme urease. And then rose hips for atrophic gastritis are what you need: by increasing the acidity of the stomach, it can create "uncomfortable" conditions for H. pylori and, together with the prescribed drugs for the eradication of bacterial infection, contribute to the successful treatment and regeneration of damaged tissues.
How to drink rose hips for gastritis? Warm infusion (best prepared in a thermos) is recommended to be taken before meals - twice a day, half a glass. The duration of use should not exceed 7-10 days.
You can prepare and drink (in the same dosage, but after meals) rosehip jelly for gastritis with low acidity.
Rosehip oil and syrup for gastritis
Rosehip syrup is not used for gastritis; this remedy is a vitamin and is intended to prevent vitamin C deficiency. And thick syrup Holosas with an aqueous extract of rose hips is used as a choleretic in case of hepatitis or inflammation of the gallbladder.
Rosehip oil contains vitamins C and A, unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, alpha-linolenic, etc.), as well as polyphenols and plant glycosides of the anthocyanin group.
In official medicine, rosehip oil is not used for gastritis; it is used locally in dermatology and as a wound-healing agent, and internal use is prescribed for bile stasis, cholecystitis and hepatitis.