Rose hips are also known as Cynorhodon, Cynosbatos, Dog Rose, Fruit de l'Églantier, Gulab, Heps, Hip Fruit, Hipberry, Hop Fruit, Persian Rose, Phool Gulab, Poire d'oiseaux, Rosa, Satapatri, Rosae pseudofructus, Rose des Apothicaires, Rose de Provins, Rosier de Provence, Satapatrika, Shatpari, Wild Boar Fruit, and many other names.

Rose hips are the round part of a rose flower, just below the petals, where the seeds are contained. Fresh rose hips contain large amounts of vitamin C, but dried rose hips and rose seeds do not contain as much vitamin C. Suplemental vitamin C is therefore often added to rose hip herbal products.

Rose hips have been used in alternative medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis, fever, diarrhea, upset stomach, infections, the common cold, and other conditions. However, rose hips have not been proven with research to be effective in treating these conditions.

It is not certain whether rose hips are effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Rose hips should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Rose hips are often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Rose hips may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.

If you choose to use rose hips, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.

Do not take topical (for the skin) rose hips by mouth. Topical forms of this product are for use only on the skin.

Do not use different forms (tablets, liquid, tincture, teas, etc) of rose hips at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Before using rose hips, talk to your healthcare provider. You may not be able to use rose hips if you have certain medical conditions, especially:

• sickle cell disease;

• a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;

• diabetes;

• iron deficiency, or an iron storage disease such as hemochromatosis; or

• a hemoglobin blood cell disorder such as anemia, sickle cell, or thalassemia.

Do not take rose hips without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether rose hips will be harmful to an unborn baby.

Do not take rose hips without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is not known whether rose hips will be harmful to a nursing infant.

There is no information available regarding the use of rose hips by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra rose hips to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid taking rose hips together with a vitamin or mineral supplement that contains iron. Foods that are high in iron should also be avoided, since the vitamin C in rose hips could increase how much iron the body absorbs.

Avoid taking an antacid within 4 hours before or 2 hours after you have taken rose hips. Antacids that contain aluminum can make it harder for your body to absorb the vitamin C contained in rose hips. Aluminum-containing antacids include Acid Gone, Aldroxicon, Alternagel, Di-Gel, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Maldroxal, Mylagen, Mylanta, Rulox, and others.