Herb & supplement monograph

Rose Hip Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated July 2026

What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Rose Hip interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Rose Hip is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Rose Hip is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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On this page

Rose Hip Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Rose Hip drug interaction appears low for most people. None of the listed interactions are rated major, and nearly all rest on theory rather than proven effects in people.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The best-documented concerns involve lithium and aluminum-containing antacids. Rose hip may have a mild water-losing effect that could raise lithium levels, a medicine that needs careful monitoring, so this pairing deserves the closest attention. Its vitamin C content may also increase how much aluminum the body absorbs from antacids, though what this means clinically is unclear. Vitamin C has raised estrogen levels in some situations, so people on hormone therapy or birth control may want to keep this in mind, and those receiving certain chemotherapy drugs should discuss antioxidant supplements with their care team.

What the rest of the list means

Rose hip appears alongside a long list of medications mainly because of its vitamin C content, and most of these pairings are theoretical rather than shown to cause harm. In several cases, like aspirin and warfarin, the amount of vitamin C in rose hip is likely too small to matter. A long list reflects caution, not proven danger.

Check your medications against Rose Hip

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Rose Hip interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Rose Hip

213 medications have a known interaction with Rose Hip, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Rose Hip using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Rose Hip interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Rose Hip combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

The big picture

The kinds of drugs Rose Hip affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Rose Hip is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 8 drug categories Rose Hip interacts with

Alkylating AgentsAluminumAnticoagulant/antiplatelet DrugsAntitumor AntibioticsEstrogensLithiumAspirinWarfarin (coumadin)

Alkylating Agents

Theoretically, the antioxidant effects of rose hip might reduce the effectiveness of alkylating agents but might also reduce the oxidative damage caused by certain alkylating agents.
Rose hip contains vitamin C. The use of antioxidants like vitamin C during chemotherapy is controversial. There is concern that antioxidants could reduce the activity of chemotherapy drugs that generate free radicals, such as cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, carmustine, busulfan, and thiotepa. In contrast, some researchers theorize that antioxidants might make chemotherapy more effective by reducing oxidative stress that could interfere with apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells. Further, some animal research suggests that the antioxidant effects of rose hip might attenuate cyclophosphamide-induced testicular toxicity. More evidence is needed to determine what effect, if any, antioxidants found in rose hip, such as vitamin C, have on the effectiveness and adverse effects of chemotherapy.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Aluminum

Theoretically, rose hip might increase the amount of aluminum absorbed from aluminum compounds.
Rose hip contains vitamin C. Theoretically, vitamin C increases the absorption of aluminum. Concomitant use might increase aluminum absorption, but the clinical significance of this is unknown. Administer rose hip two hours before or four hours after antacids.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, rose hip might reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and animal research suggests that a constituent of rose hip, rugosin E, can induce platelet aggregation. This has not been shown in humans. Theoretically, concomitant use of rose hip might reduce the effectiveness of antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Antitumor Antibiotics

Theoretically, the antioxidant effects of rose hip might reduce the effectiveness of antitumor antibiotics.
Rose hip contains the antioxidant vitamin C. There is concern that antioxidants might reduce the activity of chemotherapy drugs that generate free radicals, such as antitumor antibiotics. In contrast, other researchers theorize that antioxidants might make antitumor antibiotic chemotherapy more effective by reducing oxidative stress that could interfere with apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells. More evidence is needed to determine what effects, if any, antioxidants such as vitamin C have on antitumor antibiotic chemotherapy.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Estrogens

Theoretically, rose hip might increase blood levels of estrogens.
Rose hip contains vitamin C. Increases in plasma estrogen levels of up to 55% have occured under some circumstances when vitamin C is taken concurrently with oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, including topical products. It is suggested that vitamin C prevents oxidation of estrogen in the tissues, regenerates oxidized estrogen, and reduces sulfate conjugation of estrogen in the gut wall. When tissue levels of vitamin C are high, these processes are already maximized and supplemental vitamin C does not have any effect on estrogen levels. However, increases in plasma estrogen levels may occur when women who are deficient in vitamin C take supplements.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Lithium

Theoretically, rose hip might increase blood levels of lithium.
Rose hip is thought to have diuretic properties. Theoretically, due to these potential diuretic effects, rose hip might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Aspirin

Theoretically, rose hip might reduce the clearance of aspirin; however, its vitamin C content is likely too low to produce clinically significant effects.
Rose hip contains vitamin C. It has been suggested that acidification of the urine by vitamin C can decrease the urinary excretion of salicylates, increasing plasma salicylate levels. However, short-term use of up to 6 grams daily of vitamin C does not seem to affect urinary pH or salicylate excretion. The vitamin C content of rose hip is typically about 500 mg per 100 grams. Thus, a clinically significant interaction between rose hip and aspirin is unlikely.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, rose hip might reduce the effectiveness of warfarin; however, its vitamin C content is likely too low to produce clinically significant effects.
Rose hip contains vitamin C. High doses of vitamin C may reduce the response to warfarin, possibly by causing diarrhea and reducing warfarin absorption. This occurred in two people who took up to 16 grams daily of vitamin C, and resulted in decreased prothrombin time. Lower doses of 5-10 grams daily of vitamin C can also reduce warfarin absorption, but this does not seem to be clinically significant. The vitamin C content of rose hip is typically about 500 mg per 100 grams. Thus, a clinically significant interaction between rose hip and warfarin is unlikely.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D

Monograph

Rose Hip: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Rose hip is the vitamin C–rich fruit of the wild rose, used traditionally for colds and joint pain. A standardized rose hip powder has some research support for easing osteoarthritis symptoms, but evidence for most other uses is limited. It is generally well tolerated as a food, but talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it as a supplement.

Scientific name: Rosa canina
Family: Rosaceae
Part used: Fruit (hips), including the seeds and outer flesh
Common forms: Tea, capsules, tablets, powder, syrup, dried fruit, extracts

People commonly use it for

Joint pain and osteoarthritis
Colds and flu
Source of vitamin C
Digestive complaints
Anti-inflammatory support

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Generally well tolerated as a food, but supplement safety is less studied.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of rose hip when used orally or topically in medicinal amounts; avoid using in a...

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of rose hip when used orally or topically in medicinal amounts; avoid using in a...

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Rose hip is the small, round fruit left behind after a rose flower blooms and drops its petals. It comes from various rose species, most often the wild dog rose (Rosa canina), which grows across Europe, Asia, and North America. The hips turn red or orange when ripe and have been eaten and used as medicine for centuries.

People use rose hip in teas, jams, syrups, and dietary supplements. It is naturally high in vitamin C and contains antioxidants, which is why it became a popular folk remedy and a common ingredient in supplement blends. Today it is most often marketed for joint health and immune support.

How it works

Rose hip contains vitamin C and a range of antioxidants, including carotenoids and polyphenols. These compounds can help neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals in the body, at least in laboratory testing.

Rose hip also contains a fatty substance often called galactolipid (sometimes labeled GOPO), which researchers believe may help calm inflammation. This is thought to be one reason rose hip powder may ease joint discomfort. Keep in mind that much of this mechanism research comes from laboratory and animal studies, so the way it works in people is not fully proven.

Effectiveness

Does Rose Hip work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

Evidence overview · 20 uses evaluated

2 Possibly effective 18 Insufficient evidence

How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.

2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.

3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.

4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.

5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.

6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.

7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

Possibly Effective Osteoarthritis