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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Japanese Rose

Rosa rugosa

Family RosaceaeParts used Flower, Fruit, PetalsAlso known as rugosa rose, beach rose

This monograph compiles 3 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[1, 2, 7, 11, 12, 13]
Antioxidant[1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13]
Immunomodulator / immune support[6, 9, 11, 12, 13]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[11, 12, 13]Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Cold & flu[11, 12, 13]Good · 7/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[11, 12, 13]Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[3, 7, 11, 12, 13]Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[11, 12, 13]Caution

Generally safe as a food plant. Rose hips should be used after removing the achenes (seeds and inner hairs), which can cause irritation. Allergic reactions are rare. No significant drug interactions documented.

Safety note[11, 12, 13]Info

Duke (2002) does not include a dedicated entry for Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa) in the Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition.

References

REF-1005, REF-1006, REF-1007, REF-1008, REF-1009, REF-1010, REF-1011, REF-1012, REF-1013, REF-1014

References & Sources

  1. Zhang, Z., Hu, W., Yu, A., Bai, M. and others (2024) 'Physicochemical properties, health benefits, and applications of the polysaccharides from Rosa rugosa Thunb.: A review', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 282(Pt 3), pp. 136975. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136975 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136975
  2. Dong, X., Li, Y., Yang, K., Zhang, L. and others (2024) 'Total flavonoids from Rosa rugosa Thunb.: A comprehensive review of its extraction and purification process, chemical composition, biological effect and applications', Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 398(3), pp. 2343-2363. doi:10.1007/s00210-024-03504-x Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-024-03504-x
  3. Kim, J., Lee, S., Park, H. and others (2024) 'Hair Growth Effect and the Mechanisms of Rosa rugosa Extract in DHT-Induced Alopecia Mice Model', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(21), pp. 11362. doi:10.3390/ijms252111362 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111362
  4. Baiyisaiti, A., Liu, Y., Zhang, J. and Yang, R (2019) 'Rosa rugosa flavonoids exhibited PPAR-alpha agonist-like effects on genetic severe hypertriglyceridemia of mice', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 240, pp. 111952. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.111952 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.111952
  5. Lei, L., Zhu, Y., Gao, W., Du, X. and others (2023) 'Ethanol Extract of Rosa rugosa Ameliorates Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury via Upregulating Sirt1 and Subsequent Potentiation of LKB1/AMPK/Nrf2 Cascade in Hepatocytes', Molecules, 28(21), pp. 7307. doi:10.3390/molecules28217307 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28217307
  6. Dai, C., Zheng, X., Zhu, J., Zhang, H. and others (2025) 'Polysaccharides derived from Rosa rugosa cv. Plena ameliorate colorectal cancer by regulating intestinal microbiota composition and lipid metabolism pathway', NPJ Science of Food, 9(1), pp. 176. doi:10.1038/s41538-025-00544-2 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00544-2
  7. Chen, M., Peng, Y., Zhu, R., Luo, X. and others (2025) 'Therapeutic potential of Rosa rugosa polysaccharide and its nanofiber membrane in psoriasis via PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway inhibition', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 320(Pt 2), pp. 145724. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.145724 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.145724
  8. Park, C.K., Choi, S.J., Kim, C.R., Shin, H.R. and others (2025) 'Ethanolic Extract of Rosa rugosa Roots and Its Bioactive Compound, Oleamide, Prevented Amyloid beta-Induced Oxidative Stress and Improved Behavioral Tests in Mice', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(9), pp. 4214. doi:10.3390/ijms26094214 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26094214
  9. Ashraf, S., Ashraf, M.Z., Miao, B. and Zhao, X (2025) 'Optimizing Extraction Methods for Bioactive Polysaccharides from Rosa rugosa and Rosa damascena', Foods, 14(18), pp. 3211. doi:10.3390/foods14183211 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14183211
  10. Liu, X., Liu, H., Zhang, Y. and others (2022) 'Rosa rugosa polysaccharide induces autophagy-mediated apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 212, pp. 257-274. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.05.023 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.05.023
  11. Chrubasik, C., Roufogalis, B.D., Müller-Ladner, U. and Chrubasik, S (2008) 'A systematic review on the Rosa canina effect and efficacy profiles', 22(6), pp. 725--733. Meta-analysis / review
    Find this source
  12. Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  13. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
    https://powo.science.kew.org

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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