What Herb Has the Highest Vitamin C Content?

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, while oranges are a common source, many lesser-known fruits and vegetables contain significantly more vitamin C. The search for what herb has the highest vitamin C uncovers several potent botanicals that far outstrip traditional citrus fruits in potency, offering powerful antioxidant and immune-boosting benefits.

Quick Summary

This article details the herbs and plants that provide the most concentrated forms of vitamin C. It examines the nutritional profiles, absorption benefits, and practical applications of these potent natural sources for wellness.

Key Points

Camu Camu is the Top Contender: The camu camu berry from the Amazon contains one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C of any plant, far surpassing oranges.
Acerola Cherries Are Extremely Potent: Another tropical powerhouse, the acerola cherry is also exceptionally rich in vitamin C, with some forms providing up to 100 times more than oranges.
Rose Hips Offer High Levels: The fruit of the rose plant, rose hips, is a time-tested herbal source of vitamin C, commonly used in teas and supplements.
Common Herbs Are Surprisingly Rich: Everyday herbs like parsley and stinging nettle also provide significant amounts of vitamin C, making them easy to incorporate into meals.
Bioavailability Matters: Whole-food herbal sources often contain bioflavonoids and other nutrients that aid in the absorption and utilization of vitamin C, providing more comprehensive benefits than synthetic supplements.
Cooking Can Reduce Content: Because vitamin C is sensitive to heat, consuming fresh herbs or using low-temperature cooking methods like steaming can help preserve its nutritional value.

Discovering the Vitamin C Powerhouses

While citrus fruits have long been championed for their vitamin C content, the herb world holds several potent contenders that deliver an even higher concentration of this essential nutrient. These powerful botanicals offer a natural and effective way to boost your antioxidant intake and support overall health.

Camu Camu: The Amazonian Superfruit

One of the most impressive sources of vitamin C is the camu camu berry, a fruit native to the Amazon rainforest. In powder form, camu camu can provide an exceptionally high concentration of vitamin C—in some cases, up to 60 times more than an orange, and often delivering over 680 milligrams in just one teaspoon. This incredible potency makes it a standout ingredient for supplements and superfood blends. The berries are typically sold as a dried powder in health food stores, making it easy to add to smoothies, juices, and other recipes for a significant nutritional boost.

Acerola Cherry: A Close Contender

Another tropical fruit that packs an incredible vitamin C punch is the acerola cherry, also known as the Barbados cherry. Raw acerola contains 1,500 to 4,500 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 grams, which is up to 100 times the amount found in oranges. This makes it a highly sought-after ingredient for supplements and natural juices. The acerola cherry is also rich in other phytonutrients like flavonoids and anthocyanins, which provide additional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Rose Hips: A Classic Herbal Remedy

The fruit of the rose plant, known as the rose hip, has long been used in traditional medicine and is an excellent source of vitamin C. Per 100 grams, rose hips can contain around 426 mg of vitamin C, depending on the species. This sweet and tangy fruit is often used to make herbal teas, jellies, and jams. Rose hips also contain other beneficial compounds, including carotenoids like beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene.

Stinging Nettle and Parsley: Everyday Potency

For more common and accessible options, herbs like stinging nettle and parsley are also surprisingly high in vitamin C. Fresh stinging nettle leaves contain about 180 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams, far exceeding an orange. The "sting" disappears when the leaves are cooked or dried, making them a safe and nutritious addition to teas and cooked dishes. Parsley, often used as a garnish, contains approximately 160 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams, nearly three times the amount in oranges.

Comparison of High-Vitamin C Herbs


Herb Source	Vitamin C Content (per 100g)	Primary Form	Typical Use
Camu Camu	Up to 2,907 mg*	Powder	Smoothies, juices, supplements
Acerola Cherry	Up to 4,500 mg*	Fresh, powder, capsules	Juices, smoothies, supplements
Rose Hips	Up to 426 mg	Dried, powder	Teas, jams, supplements
Stinging Nettle	Approx. 180 mg	Fresh, dried	Teas, cooked greens
Parsley	Approx. 160 mg	Fresh, dried	Garnishes, cooking

*Note: Content can vary depending on ripeness, processing, and growing conditions.

Benefits Beyond Vitamin C

These potent herbs offer more than just high vitamin C content. Their complete nutritional profile, including bioflavonoids, minerals, and other antioxidants, often results in better absorption and utilization by the body compared to synthetic ascorbic acid supplements. The antioxidants in these herbs can protect against cellular damage from free radicals, support healthy skin through collagen synthesis, and contribute to overall immune resilience.

For instance, the bioflavonoids in acerola and camu camu work synergistically with vitamin C to enhance its effects and ensure the body can utilize it efficiently. Furthermore, the varied nutrients found in whole-food sources provide a more holistic health boost than isolated supplements. Incorporating these herbs into your diet can be a delicious way to support your immune system and overall vitality.

Incorporating High-Vitamin C Herbs into Your Diet

Camu Camu Powder: Blend a teaspoon into your morning smoothie with other fruits and greens. Its tart flavor pairs well with sweet ingredients.
Acerola Cherry Juice: Look for pure, unsweetened acerola juice or powder. Mix into beverages or add to yogurt. Fresh acerola is highly perishable, so powder is often the most accessible option.
Rose Hip Tea: Use dried rose hips to brew a flavorful and nutritious tea. You can also mix the powder into other drinks.
Stinging Nettle: Use dried nettle leaves for tea. If using fresh leaves, blanch or cook them to remove the sting, then add to soups or sautés.
Fresh Parsley: Chop fresh parsley generously over salads, soups, and roasted vegetables. This is a simple and accessible way to add extra vitamin C to everyday meals.

Conclusion: Nature's Potent Sources

In the quest for what herb has the highest vitamin C, camu camu and acerola cherries are the definitive champions, offering significantly higher concentrations than familiar foods like oranges. However, readily available options like rose hips, stinging nettle, and parsley also provide impressive amounts of this essential vitamin. Opting for these whole-food, herbal sources ensures you benefit from a complete profile of supportive phytonutrients and antioxidants, which enhance absorption and offer a more comprehensive wellness boost than synthetic supplements. By diversifying your diet with these powerful botanicals, you can naturally and effectively strengthen your immune system and protect your body from oxidative stress.

Here is a useful guide on the nutritional value of various foods, including many discussed in this article.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the Kakadu plum holds the overall highest title, among readily available 'herbs' or botanical sources, the camu camu berry and acerola cherry are commonly cited as having the highest vitamin C content, with acerola often containing the most per 100g.

Yes, common herbs like parsley are surprisingly potent sources of vitamin C. Just 100 grams of fresh parsley contains approximately 160 mg of vitamin C, significantly more than a medium orange.

Some research suggests that the vitamin C found in whole foods, including herbs, may be better utilized by the body. The presence of naturally occurring bioflavonoids and other compounds is thought to enhance absorption and antioxidant effects.

To maximize vitamin C intake from herbs, it is best to consume them raw or with minimal heat exposure, as vitamin C is heat-sensitive. Options include adding powders to smoothies, brewing teas with dried herbs, or garnishing dishes with fresh greens.

Camu camu and acerola cherry are often sold as powders or concentrated extracts. When sourced from high-quality, reputable suppliers and minimally processed, these can be excellent sources of natural vitamin C. Always check for third-party testing and purity.

Rose hips are often dried and used to make a flavorful tea, which is an excellent way to extract its water-soluble vitamin C. They can also be made into jams or used in powder form for added convenience.

For most people, it is difficult to consume excessive amounts of vitamin C from food or herbs alone. Any excess is typically excreted by the body, but extremely high doses from supplements can cause mild side effects like digestive upset.