Who Should Not Take Rose-Hip Vital? Important Precautions and Warnings

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

While considered safe for many, supplements like Rose-Hip Vital are not suitable for everyone, and it is crucial to understand who should not take Rose-Hip Vital before starting supplementation. The potential for interactions with certain medical conditions and other medications necessitates a careful review of one's personal health profile. Consulting a healthcare provider is the safest approach.

Quick Summary

This guide examines specific health conditions and medication interactions that may make Rose-Hip Vital unsafe for some individuals. It details contraindications, addresses risks for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and provides essential safety precautions.

Key Points

Bleeding Disorders: Individuals with conditions like hemophilia or those awaiting surgery should avoid Rose-Hip Vital due to potential interference with blood clotting.
Iron-Related Conditions: Those with iron overload disorders, such as hemochromatosis, or certain blood disorders should not take rosehip supplements because they can increase iron absorption.
Medication Interactions: Rose-Hip Vital can interact with blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), lithium, and estrogen-containing medications, potentially altering their effects.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: The safety of rosehip supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not well-established, so caution and medical consultation are advised.
G6PD Deficiency: Individuals with G6PD deficiency should avoid high doses of vitamin C, which is abundant in concentrated rosehip supplements, to prevent complications.
Allergy Risk: As with any botanical product, there is a risk of allergic reaction, with symptoms ranging from skin irritation to more severe reactions.
Kidney Concerns: People with a history of kidney stones or severe kidney disease should be cautious, as the high vitamin C content might increase the risk of stone formation.

Underlying Medical Conditions That Contraindicate Rose-Hip Vital

For some individuals, preexisting medical conditions make the use of Rose-Hip Vital, or any rosehip supplement, inadvisable due to potential health complications. The high vitamin C content and other compounds in rose hips can interact negatively with specific disorders.

Bleeding Disorders and Surgery

Individuals with bleeding disorders are advised to avoid Rose-Hip Vital. Certain components of rose hip, such as rugosin E, may slow blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding. This is a significant concern for those with hemophilia or other clotting conditions. Additionally, due to its potential effect on blood clotting, anyone scheduled for surgery should stop taking rosehip supplements at least two weeks beforehand.

Iron-Related Disorders

Because rose hips are rich in vitamin C, they can significantly increase the body's absorption of iron. This poses a serious risk for people with conditions of iron overload, such as:

Hemochromatosis: a disorder where the body absorbs too much iron.
Thalassemia: a blood disorder involving abnormal hemoglobin production.
Sickle Cell Disease: a blood disorder that can be exacerbated by the increased acidity caused by high doses of vitamin C.

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency

G6PD deficiency is a genetic disorder that affects red blood cells. Large doses of vitamin C, found in concentrated rosehip supplements, can increase the risk of complications, making it unsafe for individuals with this condition.

Severe Kidney Disease and Kidney Stones

While the link is not universally confirmed, some sources indicate that the high vitamin C content in rose hips can theoretically increase the risk of kidney stones, particularly in individuals with a history of them. For those with severe kidney disease, the use of rosehip supplements may be contraindicated and should only be considered under strict medical supervision.

Important Medication Interactions

Rose-Hip Vital can interact with several types of medications, potentially altering their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.

Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants): The vitamin C in rosehip can interfere with medications like warfarin (Coumadin), potentially decreasing their blood-thinning effect and increasing the risk of clotting. Regular blood monitoring is essential for anyone taking this combination.
Estrogen Medications: Vitamin C can increase the absorption of estrogen, including hormonal birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. This can increase the effects and potential side effects of these medications.
Lithium: Rosehip may decrease how well the body eliminates lithium, which could lead to a buildup of the medication in the body and an increased risk of serious side effects. The lithium dose may need to be adjusted.
Aluminum-Containing Antacids: The vitamin C in rose hips can increase the absorption of aluminum from antacids. It is recommended to separate the intake of these products by at least two to four hours.

Comparison of Rose-Hip Vital Use by Patient Group


Patient Group	Recommended Use	Key Considerations
General Healthy Adults	Generally considered safe at recommended doses.	Monitor for mild digestive side effects like nausea or diarrhea.
Individuals with Bleeding Disorders	Avoid.	Risk of increased bleeding due to potential anticoagulant effects.
Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women	Caution; use only with medical advice.	Lack of sufficient research data on safety for this demographic.
Patients on Blood Thinners	Avoid or use with extreme caution and medical supervision.	Risk of medication interaction that could reduce effectiveness of blood thinners.
Individuals with Iron Disorders	Avoid.	Risk of increased iron absorption due to high vitamin C content.
Those with G6PD Deficiency	Avoid.	Large doses of vitamin C can increase complication risks.
Patients with Kidney Disease	Avoid or use with medical supervision.	Increased risk of kidney stones due to high vitamin C content.
Patients with Sickle Cell Disease	Avoid.	High doses of vitamin C may trigger a sickle cell crisis.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Concerns

There is currently insufficient reliable information to definitively state whether Rose-Hip Vital is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Given the lack of definitive research, the safest approach for these individuals is to avoid medicinal amounts of rosehip and consult with a healthcare provider before considering supplementation. Consuming rosehip in amounts typically found in food, such as in teas, is generally considered safe, but supplementation is a different matter.

Allergic Reactions

Like any botanical product, Rose-Hip Vital can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include hives, rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing. If any of these symptoms appear, stop taking the supplement immediately and seek medical help. Inhaling the dust from rosehip powder can also trigger allergic reactions in some people.

Conclusion

While many people use Rose-Hip Vital safely to address issues such as arthritis, it is not a suitable supplement for everyone. A thorough review of your medical history and current medications with a healthcare professional is the most important step before starting any new supplement regimen. Individuals with certain blood, iron, or kidney disorders, and those on specific medications, must exercise particular caution or avoid the product altogether. For pregnant or breastfeeding women, the lack of conclusive safety data means that it is prudent to err on the side of caution. Always consult a doctor to determine if Rose-Hip Vital is the right choice for your individual health circumstances.

Learn more about the potential risks and side effects of supplements like rose hip on Drugs.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should not take Rose-Hip Vital if you are on blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin) without medical supervision. The high vitamin C content can potentially interfere with the medication, and regular blood tests would be required to manage the dose safely.

There is insufficient reliable information to confirm the safety of medicinal amounts of rosehip for pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is best to avoid supplementation and consult a healthcare provider for advice.

You should not take rosehip if you have iron-related disorders such as hemochromatosis, thalassemia, or sickle cell disease. The vitamin C in rosehip can increase iron absorption, worsening these conditions.

Yes, you should stop taking rosehip supplements at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery. Rose hip may slow blood clotting, which can increase the risk of bleeding during and after a procedure.

For individuals with a history of kidney stones, high doses of rosehip supplements could theoretically increase the risk. The body converts vitamin C into oxalate, a component of kidney stones.

Individuals with decompensated diabetes, where blood sugar levels are poorly controlled, may need to avoid rosehip supplements. While some studies suggest potential benefits, caution is warranted, and intake should be medically supervised.

Signs of an allergic reaction to rosehip include hives, rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help if these symptoms occur.