Cherokee Rosehip

BotanicalBest taken away from food

What is it

Cherokee rosehip (Rosa laevigata) is the fruit of a climbing rose native to southern China and naturalized in the southern United States. In traditional Chinese medicine the hips ('jin ying zi') are used as an astringent.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Urinary frequency / spermatorrhea (traditional Chinese use)

Mixed Evidence

Used as an astringent in traditional formulas. No rigorous modern RCTs.

How it works

The fruits contain tannins, polyphenols, triterpenoids, organic acids, and vitamin C. Astringent activity in TCM is attributed to tannins that bind mucosal proteins. Animal and laboratory studies suggest antioxidant and mild urinary effects. Some compounds (rosa laevigata extracts) have shown nephroprotective activity in animal models. Human clinical evidence is essentially limited to Chinese-language reports.

Dosage

Traditional decoction doses are 6–18 g of dried fruit. No FDA-recognized dose. DSLD data is limited.

When and how to take it

Traditional decoction between meals.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried fruit decoction

Traditional preparation.

Not characterized.

Safety

Generally well tolerated at traditional doses. Tannins in large amounts may cause GI upset and inhibit non-heme iron absorption.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy traditionally (astringent class). Iron deficiency: separate from iron sources.

Interactions

Tannins can reduce non-heme iron absorption; separate from iron-containing meals. No other clinically established interactions.

Food sources

Rosehip preparations (related species)

Amount
Rich in vitamin C
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is Cherokee rosehip the same as regular rosehip supplements?⌄

It is a different rose species; most Western rosehip supplements use Rosa canina (dog rose). They share some general phytochemistry but differ in details.

References

Cherokee Rosehip on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Cherokee Rosehip (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.