In Pain? Stop and Smell the Roses

[n2doc]

By Erin Richards, Scientific Blogging
posted: 26 September 2008 08:41 am

Roses (genus Rosa) encompass over 100 known species. Cultivated for their fragrance and beauty, roses historically have been the center of much praise. Poets have dedicated odes to their beauty, they have been desired by centuries of gardeners and are one of the most universal symbols, often representing love and life. As the phrase goes, sometimes you do have to "stop and smell the roses."

Although you may think that this is just a fancy way of saying take some time to enjoy life, perhaps we have dismissed roses for too long. Seriously, you should pay more attention to those roses. They could greatly improve your life. That is, if you are one of the millions of people in the US who suffer from arthritis diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Results from two different arthritis studies have confirmed that an active ingredient of rose hips has been shown to protect and possibly rebuild joint tissue broken down by arthritis. The latest results, presented at the osteoarthritis Research Society International (ORSI) World Conference in Rome, explained the mechanism of protein GOPO(R) found in rose hips. This extract, has demonstrated the ability to protect vulnerable cartilage and possibly stimulate its regeneration. GOPO(R) has also been shown to improve mood, increased energy and sleep quality of those affected by arthritis.

Conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis cause a breakdown of vital cartilage in joints. According to the Arthritis Foundation, there are 27 million people in the US living with osteoarthritis in the US and 1.3 million people affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Marked by stiffness, swelling, loss of flexibly and pain, arthritis can significantly deter one from a normal life.

more:
http://www.livescience.com/health/080926-roses-arthritis.html

[Miss Chybil]

1. Thanks! Great article. nt

[elocs]

2. I have to admit that at the age of 56 I am consciously and appreciatively aware

that I am only ever very rarely in any kind of pain or discomfort. I wake up in the morning and nothing aches at all and I am amazed by that. It's not that I never have had pain, because I have. Ten years ago I suffered a herniated disc and was in incredible and intense pain from it until surgery corrected it. It was then I realized that I had never really suffered any significant pain before. I am thankful never to have suffered from any arthritis, but I have had people tell me that everything starts to fall apart when you turn 57, so I will enjoy the rest of my year.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Article on rose hips

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA326573


Rose hips also contain vitamins A, B-3, D and E as well as bioflavonoids, citric acid, flavonoids, fructose, malic acid, tannins and zinc. Traditionally, tea made from rose hips is considered good for treating diarrhea and infections, particularly bladder infections.
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Most varieties of roses cultivated in this country don't develop usable rose hips, but old-fashioned plants such as rugosas do bear them. And in many parts of the country, you can easily collect the hips from wild roses. If you find them, you can try using them to make tea (or jam, syrup or jelly). Avoid a bush that has been treated with a pesticide. (If it has, make sure that the pesticide was labeled safe for food crops before gathering rose hips.) And don't cook the rose hips in aluminum pots or stir with aluminum utensils, both of which destroy the vitamin C. To make rose-hip tea, wash the hips well, chop them up, cover them with cold water, bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Then, strain the tea and sweeten it if you like. You also should be able to buy rose hip tea in health-food stores.