FolkKB

California rose

Rosa californica

Rosa californica is a species of rose native to North America. In various traditional contexts, it has been applied to address skin inflammation, fever, illness, and stomach pains. Scientific evidence regarding its therapeutic properties is limited, though studies have characterized the fatty acid profiles of rosehip oils derived from rose species and identified specific yeast strains associated with the plant. No significant safety concerns or notable drug interactions have been recorded in the available data. This information is for educational purposes only.

At a glance
Traditionally for
skin inflammation · illness
Traditions
Western phytotherapy
Best evidence
D
Cautions
—

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

Traditional use

What the science says

  • A novel yeast strain, yHQL494, was isolated from Rosa californica and classified as Lachancea rosae sp. nov. D PMID
  • Rosa californica was identified in historical bird nests, suggesting its presence in an area about 100 years ago. D PMID
  • The study updated a database on Xylella spp. host plants, adding one new species but no additional data for others. D PMID
  • The study characterized seven rosehip oils using various analytical methods, revealing differences in fatty acid profiles and suggesting non-destructive identification techniques. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is California rose?

California rose (Rosa californica) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What is California rose traditionally used for?

Traditional sources record California rose for: skin inflammation, illness, fever, stomach pains. This reflects traditional use, not a proven medical treatment.

Which traditions use California rose?

California rose appears in these traditions in our sources: Western phytotherapy.

What does the scientific evidence say about California rose?

4 sourced findings are recorded for California rose; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: A novel yeast strain, yHQL494, was isolated from Rosa californica and classified as Lachancea rosae sp. nov.

How strong is the evidence for California rose?

The strongest finding for California rose carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is California rose safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for California rose in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does California rose interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for California rose in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

Is California rose a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T2 Bird nests as botanical time capsules: DNA barcoding identifies the contents of contemporary and historical nests. literature abstract metadata
  2. T2 Taxogenomic Analysis of a Novel Yeast Species, Lachancea rosae Sp. Nov. F.A., Isolated From the Wild Rose Rosa californica. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 Characterization of Bulgarian Rosehip Oil by GC-MS, UV-VIS Spectroscopy, Colorimetry, FTIR Spectroscopy, and 3D Excitation-Emission Fluorescence Spectra. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Update of the Xylella spp. host plant database - Systematic literature search up to 30 June 2025. literature abstract metadata
  5. T3 Rosa californica CC BY-SA 4.0

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