Chestnut Rose

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Chestnut rose (Rosa roxburghii, also called cili) is a thorny rose species native to southwestern China. Its fruit is among the richest known natural sources of vitamin C (often 1000-3500 mg per 100 g of fresh fruit) and is used both as food and in herbal preparations.

Evidence for 2 uses

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

Vitamin C source

Strong Evidence

The fruit is reliably one of the richest food sources of vitamin C and easily meets daily vitamin C requirements in small servings.

Antioxidant status

Limited Evidence

Small Chinese trials of cili juice and extract report improvements in antioxidant biomarkers (SOD activity, malondialdehyde). Clinical importance is unclear.

How it works

The fruit's headline nutrient is vitamin C, which functions as a water-soluble antioxidant, a cofactor for collagen synthesis, and supports immune function. Cili also contains polyphenols (flavonoids, ellagic acid derivatives), superoxide dismutase activity, and triterpenoid acids. Polysaccharides from the fruit have shown immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity in laboratory studies. Most research on Rosa roxburghii comes out of China and uses fruit juice, extracts, or freeze-dried powder. Trials in humans are small but generally show favorable effects on antioxidant biomarkers and lipid profiles. Whether this translates to clinically meaningful health outcomes is not well established.

Dosage

No established RDA for the fruit specifically. Vitamin C content is high enough that even small servings (10-20 g of fresh fruit or a few grams of dried extract) can meet daily vitamin C requirements (75-90 mg/day for adults). Polysaccharide-standardized extract products vary; follow label dosing.

When and how to take it

Fresh or dried fruit can be eaten with any meal. Concentrated vitamin-C-rich powders are best split through the day if total doses exceed about 500 mg, since absorption is more efficient at smaller per-dose amounts.

2 commercial forms

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

Fresh or dried fruit

Most concentrated form of natural vitamin C; fresh fruit is regional, dried is more accessible.

Vitamin C from food is generally well absorbed.

Cili extract powder or juice

Common form in Chinese supplements and health drinks.

Concentration of polyphenols and vitamin C varies by product.

Safety

Generally well tolerated as food. Very high vitamin C intake from concentrated products can cause GI upset (loose stools, gas). Long-term safety of concentrated polysaccharide extracts is not well characterized.

Who should be cautious

People with hereditary hemochromatosis or other iron-overload conditions should avoid very high vitamin C intake. People with a history of kidney stones (particularly oxalate stones) should be cautious of very high-dose vitamin C from any source. Otherwise the fruit is broadly suitable.

Interactions

Very high vitamin C intake may slightly enhance non-heme iron absorption and could affect interpretation of some lab tests. No major medication interactions are documented for the fruit itself.

Food sources

Chestnut rose fruit (Rosa roxburghii), fresh

Amount
1000-3500 mg vitamin C per 100 g
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is chestnut rose better than other vitamin C sources?⌄

It is among the most concentrated natural sources. For meeting daily vitamin C needs, citrus, peppers, kiwi, or supplements work equally well; cili is most distinctive when very high vitamin C intake is the goal.

Can I take too much?⌄

Very high vitamin C intake from concentrated cili products can cause loose stools or GI upset. People prone to kidney stones should be cautious.

References

Chestnut Rose on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Chestnut Rose on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Chestnut Rose (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.