Pregnancy brings significant changes to a woman’s body. And when considering the well-being of the growing fetus, some things are considered safe, while others are not. For example, the safety of the consumption of rose hip during pregnancy is not yet determined. Some people complain about experiencing certain side effects, such as headache or nausea, after consuming it. Therefore, you should take a doctor’s advice before using rose hip during pregnancy. Read this post to understand more about the side effects of rose hip, times when you should avoid it, and ways to use rose hip oil during pregnancy.
What Is Rose Hip?
Rose hip is the fruit that appears on the rose plant. It is usually red or orange, but it can also, sometimes, be dark or purple. Rose hip is also known as rose hep or rose haw. It is categorized as a wild fruit and is endemic to parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Rose hip is rich in vitamin, antioxidant, and mineral content.
Is It Safe To Have Rose Hips During Pregnancy?
There are no research studies that have been able to determine the effects of rose hip on pregnant women. As a result, most medical practitioners will advise you to stay away from using rose hip when you are pregnant (1).
Side Effects Of Having Rose Hip During Pregnancy
Whether or not you are pregnant, you can experience side effects of rose hip. In severe cases, it could also require immediate medical attention. Here are some of the more commonly known side effects of taking rose hip:
Pain in the stomach Diarrhea Headache Nausea and vomiting Difficulty in falling and staying asleep Fatigue and excessive feeling of tiredness Heartburn and acidity
Why Should You Avoid Taking Rose Hip?
If you have any of the following conditions, you should not take rose hip unless your doctor has advised so:
If you are suffering from sickle cell disease. The vitamin C in rose hip can turn the blood more acidic and worsen the situation.
In case you have glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, the vitamin content in rose hip can increase your chances of a complication.
If you are suffering from hemochromatosis
If you are suffering from thalassemia
If you have been diagnosed with sideroblastic anemia
If you are suffering from kidney stones, the vitamin C content in rose hip can further increase your risk of having kidney stones. In case you take the Coumadin (warfarin) medicine, make sure you do not take rose hip through the duration of the medicine’s course. As rose hip contains a large amount of vitamin C, it can interfere with the medication and cause an adverse reaction.
How To Make Rose Hip Tea At Home?
Make sure that you first speak to your doctor and only then go on to have rose hip tea, depending on your doctor’s go-ahead. Once your doctor has specifically told you that you can have it while you are pregnant, you can try the following recipe to make rose hip tea at home:
Method 1
You Will Need:
4 tbsp. of whole dried rose hips 4 cups of water
How To:
Method 2
You Will Need:
Fresh or crushed dried rose hips Water
How To:
Using Rose Hip Oil During Pregnancy
While there are no studies to show the effects of rose hip when you ingest it during pregnancy, it is considered not harmful as an oil during these months. Here are a few ways in which rose hip oil can prove useful while you are pregnant:
1. Fights hyperpigmentation and reduces dark spots
Using rose hip oil when you are pregnant can help to reduce your marks of hyperpigmentation. Pregnancy often leads to patches of dark skin and hyperpigmentation marks on your skin which refuse to lighten or fade while you are pregnant. Applying rose hip oil is said to reduce the dark spots and lighten the patches of skin that have been affected with hyperpigmentation.
2. Reduces stretch marks
When you become pregnant and as you move through your months of pregnancy, you may notice the appearance of stretch marks on your skin. While there are many cosmetic brands that claim to reduce and remove the appearance of stretch marks that are caused due to pregnancy, using rose hip oil is also said to work to the same extent.
3. Soothes dry skin and itching woes
During your pregnancy, your skin will start stretching to accommodate your growing baby in your womb. As a result, it can often lead to excessive dryness in the skin, and if you are prone to dry skin, you will experience it even more. When your skin becomes dry, it can also lead to itching and irritation on the skin. Applying rose hip oil on the affected area can help to reduce your dryness symptoms and will also help with the itching sensation.
4. Presence of essential fatty acids
Rose hip oil contains a high amount of essential fatty acids that will help to ease your skin during your pregnancy months and will also help it to heal faster and better. Rose hip oil contains many essential fatty acids, the most common ones being linoleic and linolenic. Both these fatty acids help to speed up the process of skin regeneration and as a result, speed up the healing process of the skin as well.
