Common names | dog rose, wild rose

Scientific name | Rosa canina

Used part | Flower

Known active compounds | kampferol, quercetin, hydroxycinnamic acids, ellagitannins, gallotannins

Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant, anti-microbial

Product name | Rosa Canina-APD, Rosa Canina-ANB



Plant Story

Dog rose (Rosa canina) is a climbing wild rose with beautiful white-pink flowers. It is native to Europe, Northwest Africa, and Western Asia. Its deep orange-red fruit, the rosehip, which is the most used part of the plant, contains high level of antioxidants, mainly polyphenols and vitamin C. Rosehip is used to make syrup, tea, jam, and wine and its flowers can also be made into a syrup, jam, and eaten in salads. The dog rose has a long history of traditional uses for both its flowers and fruits. The flowers were believed to have mild astringent properties and were used in infusions to relieve mild digestive complaints and cold symptoms. The flowers have a delicate and pleasant fragrance to make potpourri or to be added to sachet to add a sweet scent to clothing and linens.

Some scientific research articles reported the anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities of dog rose flowers. Research showed that the dog rose petals contain higher levels of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids, and consequently the petal shows higher anti-oxidant capacity compared to the fruit. It was also reported that the flower extracts exhibit anti-microbial effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium culmorum, and Alternaria alternata. A study reported that dog rose flowers contain flavonols such as glycosides of quercetin, kaempferol, hydroxycinnamic acids, and ellagitannins, with gallotannins being the main components.