Hibiscus

Description

HIBISCUS

There are over 200 species of hibiscus flowers in a variety of beautiful colors. hibiscus is not only famous as an ornamental plant but it’s also important as an ingredient in food preparation and in making healthy delicious herbal teas the Hibiscus Sabdariffa or Rosemallow is the preferred species used to make hibiscus tea. Hibiscus tea has been enjoyed by many for hundreds of years as a relaxing refreshment and as a herbal remedy to treat ailments.

Health benefits of Hibiscus:

1. Blood pressure management: consuming hibiscus tea lowers the blood pressure in pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults.
2. Lowering cholesterol levels: it has impressive antioxidant properties. it helps to lower levels of’ bad’ LDL cholesterol from the body thereby helping to protect against heart diseases and protecting blood vessels from damage. The hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties of hibiscus tea can be beneficial to those who suffer from blood sugar disorders like diabetes.
3. Protects the liver: the antioxidant properties of hibiscus tea may help in treating liver diseases. This is because they help to protect your body from diseases by neutralizing the free radicals in body tissues and cells therefore hibiscus helps increase your lifespan by maintaining good overall health in many organ systems.
4. Anti-cancer properties: hibiscus tea has anti-tumor and anti-oxidant properties due to its protocatechuic acid content. Hibiscus also slows down the growth of cancerous cells through a process known as apoptosis known as programmed cell death.
5. Anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties: it is rich in ascorbic acid known as vitamin c which is an essential nutrient that boosts and stimulates the activity of the immune system. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, therefore, prevents you from catching a cold and flu and has a cooling effect hence treating discomfort from fever.
6. Menstrual pain: it relieves from cramps and menstrual pain and restores hormonal imbalance as well which reduces mood swings depression and overheating.

Other health benefits:

1. Helps in the production of milk for breastfeeding mothers
2. Helps to reduce anxiety
3. Aids in digestion and increases urination
4. Beneficial for losing weight
5. Boosts immune system
6. Used as a sports drink to satiate the thirst
7. Aids digestion

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is so special about hibiscus?

Hibiscus is full of vitamins and minerals that help strengthen the immune system. With large levels of vitamin C, hibiscus tea is a great way to prevent cold and flu in the cold winter months. Hibiscus is also full of antioxidants that help boost overall health.

 2. What is the medicinal use of hibiscus?

Hibiscus is used for treating loss of appetite, colds, heart and nerve diseases, upper respiratory tract pain and swelling (inflammation), fluid retention, stomach irritation, and disorders of circulation; for dissolving phlegm; as a gentle laxative; and as a diuretic to increase urine output.

3. Is hibiscus good for fertility?

The Hibiscus plant is popularly used for the treatment of various health conditions. … More importantly, women who are anemic and are suffering from infertility due to low iron levels should take as much hibiscus tea as possible. The reason is, it helps by maximizing iron absorption into the blood.

4. Is hibiscus good for kidneys?

Both green tea- and the hibiscus-treated group had shown significant nephroprotective effects. They reduced biochemical indicators or nonenzymatic markers of kidney dysfunction compared with gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.

5. Can you drink hibiscus tea while on chemo?

If effective against cancer, hibiscus extract could potentially be combined with chemotherapeutic treatments in adjuvant therapy to reduce chemotherapy-inducing side effects.

6. Hibiscus and blood pressure

Several human trials have found that hibiscus beverages and supplements can decrease blood pressure.

A study in 46 adults with high blood pressure found that drinking 2 cups (474 mL) of hibiscus tea daily for 1 month combined with lifestyle and dietary changes reduced blood pressure significantly more than lifestyle and diet changes alone.

Other studies have found that hibiscus extracts may be as effective as pharmaceutical medications for high blood pressure. However, more research is needed.

7. Hibiscus and metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors, including high blood sugar, high blood triglycerides, low HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and excess body fat. These factors can increase the risk of developing conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

Promisingly, hibiscus may help treat metabolic syndrome.

A small study of 16 older women with metabolic syndrome found that drinking hibiscus tea twice daily for 21 days significantly reduced blood pressure, blood triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar compared with a placebo.

In another study of 40 adults with metabolic syndrome, those who took hibiscus powder once daily for 4 weeks experienced significant decreases in blood triglycerides and systolic blood pressure compared with a placebo group.

Overall, hibiscus may help manage aspects of metabolic syndrome, especially blood sugar issues.

8. Hibiscus and Obesity

Hibiscus may help with weight loss and protect against obesity.

Research in animals suggests that hibiscus extracts may help prevent fat cells from accumulating. This could prevent complications sometimes seen with obesity, such as fatty liver and insulin resistance.

The fiber in certain preparations of hibiscus may also help prevent weight gain.

One study in rats found that adding ground hibiscus to animal feed reduced body weight, body fat, and pro-inflammatory compounds in fat tissue.

Still, studies in humans are necessary to better understand the potential anti-obesity effects of hibiscus.