Wild Rose Hips & Respiratory Problems

Respiration refers to taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide, or inhaling and exhaling. Your respiratory system includes several parts, such as the throat and lungs, that work simultaneously to oxygenate your cells for carrying out normal bodily functions. Respiratory problems result from various factors, including organ failure or being exposed to allergens. Wild rose hips, the ripe seeded fruit of roses, has many uses, but for some, can trigger respiratory complications.

Rose hips grow from colorful, flowering perennial roses. The "hips" are the flowering portion of the plant, typically located on the thorny branches of the ripened stem. Rose hips have use in cooking as a flavorful and sweet accessory to jams or baked goods. Historically, rose hips were used in the Middle Ages to remedy chest congestion associated with the common cold or as a diuretic to alleviate constipation. This plant is rich in vitamin C and also contains vitamins A, B and K, notes Drugs.com. The allure of adding rose hips to tea or taking them as a supplement is the antioxidant properties that help in protecting your immune system.

Rose hips have no known side effects in healthy individuals. However, excess exposure to the dust, or pollen, of rose hips can trigger respiratory distress in people with underlying allergies to the substance. A 1990 study published in the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology" confirmed that industrial workers with asthma and those with less severe respiratory ailments experienced breathing complications with regular exposure to rose hips. Similarly, anaphylactic reactions to contact with rose pollen has also been documented in a 2003 case review from the journal "Allergologia et Immunopathologia."

Anaphylaxis refers to a severe and, in some instances, life-threatening allergic reaction to a substance. The condition typically occurs immediately after exposure to the trigger allergen and includes symptoms of airway constriction, tongue or throat swelling, skin reactions and changes in pulse. In extreme cases, respiratory distress prohibiting proper breathing can occur. Although clinically documented cases of wild rose hips having this effect are scarce, it can happen. If you choose to use wild rose hips supplements, first consult your physician.

Difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath, accompanied by tightness in the chest, is a typical signal of pending respiratory distress. Escalating signs include changes in color around your mouth, lips and overall skin, labored breathing followed by grunting, sweating and wheezing. If you experience signs of respiratory distress after using rose hips, but not related to anaphylactic shock, contact your physician for recommendations. However, if you experience respiratory distress along with signs of allergic reaction, seek medical care immediately.

Article reviewed by Eric Lochridge

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Posted in: Problems, Respiratory