Effect of Rosa Canina L. (Rose-Hip) on Cold During Winter Season in a Middle-Class Population: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Aim: The common cold has social and economic implications worldwide. This study aimed to test if a liquid standardised preparation, Hyben Vital, based on shells from Rose-hip (Rosa canina L.), reduces the incidence and symptoms of the common cold in Danish middle-class volunteers. Methods: Volunteers (n = 120) were randomly allocated to daily treatments with either 2 g of liquid Rose-hip (RH) or placebo (P) for six months during winter. Primary effect variables: The frequency of colds and symptoms related to cold. Secondary effect variables: Evaluations from diaries of muscle stiffness and general well-being (numerical scales). Results: A number of 107 volunteers completed the trial and 31 out of 58 patients (53.4%) in the P group reported cold vs 24 out of 55 patients (43.6%) in the RH group; 18.4% reduction (p = 0.348). The numbers of volunteers reporting the different symptoms of cold in P-group vs RH-group were: Coughing: 23 vs 18, p < 0.422; Headache: 26 vs 17, p < 0.112; Muscle stiffness: 27 vs 15, p < 0.027 and Fatigue: 29 vs 20, p < 0.115. Muscle stiffness, evaluated over 6 month, fell from initial 2.40 +/- 2.32 to 2.02 +/- 2.15 in the RH group and from 2.37 +/- 2.40 to 2.93 +/- 2.50 in the P group, (p < 0.043, comparing groups). The delta improvement in general well-being was 0.21 +/- 0.74 (p < 0.019) vs 0.12 +/- 1.08 (p < 0.078) in the RH-and P group, respectively (p < 0.861, comparing groups). Conclusion: Our data suggest that administration of liquid Rose-hip reduces the incidence of colds by 18% and lowers the number of patients reporting the different symptoms of cold.